Oli Katai

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I'm here, I'm queer, I really like pop punk and beer.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is a way for me to share with others my own emotions and hardships. It is a way for me to also filter out my own bad thoughts and good thoughts to turn them into something I can enjoy and that others can enjoy. It helps me become a better person overall by letting me share my thoughts in a positive way.

What is your music dream?

I have already achieved my dream in music. I don't care about followers or hits, although that may be cliché to say. Every time someone tells me my music means something to them, or every time I am free to write my own music however and whenever I want, that tells me I have been successful.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

I think everyone has something in them to change the world. Just a little. That's what we're all here for, I think. We all change the world, whether it's to be for worse or better is up to us. Every musician has something unique in them to keep people moving, give them motivation and make them feel better about themselves and others.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Shinedown's 'Call Me.' I used to move around a lot as a kid, and I grew up without many friends or a supportive family. I first heard that song on a local radio, and it later became one of my absolute favorites that got me through hard times as a kid.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

I can't say I have a specific favorite, but some of my top artists have got to be Grace Vanderwaal, Panic! at the Disco, and Shinedown because of the messages they send across with their platforms.

What inspires you to make music?

Mostly the fact that I can now. I grew up not having a proper 'emotional outlet,' one could say. I never knew how to take out my anger and negative emotions, or even my positive ones until I began learning to write music.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

The main message I want to get across with my music is that everyone goes through rough times, but everyone's hardships are unique. The way you interpret one of my songs may be entirely the opposite of what I wrote it for, but your interpretation is still meaningful to you. It still teaches you something, whether about life or music, and it helps others in their own ways, too.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Usually anxious at first, but once I get up there and start performing, I know where my home is.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

I think the stigma that "music isn't a real career" has gone down significantly. Of course, there are still people who believe that, and it is hard to make a living purely off music unless you conform to what is currently popular. But I think recently, people have begun noticing that all music can be good music, regardless of whether it's popular.

What do you think of Drooble?

Drooble is its own platform that really gives musicians their own way to ask advice from other musicians, simply socialize with their own people, and learn from others. You don't just post your music, ask for listeners, and go. It's a true community where you can make colleagues and friends and learn about what you love.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

I made a post about this recently, actually- the most frustrating thing is when you are talking to a non-artist and they hit you with the old "I wish I had your talent!" Most of those non-artists tend not to listen when you try to explain that you didn't just get up one day and decide to be good at music, it takes years of practice and experience.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I'd say I do, yes. Especially considering I have many friends in small local bands, I have been introduced to many of these local musicians, and I always do my best to show up to small festivals and gigs and buy their merch, if they have any.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

As a fan, listeners always want clear-cut music, no background static or fuzz or anything. As a fellow musician, just bringing something new to the table is always a great 'awakening' of sorts. Getting out and performing, writing to your own style that you don't conform to others, supporting your fellow musicians, all of that can help you step up with the bigger musicians.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Finding September, Taken By Tides, and From Graves are some of my favorite local bands- all the members are great people and musicians, too!