Kim Petras reflects on going from an indie artist to working with a major label

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We talked to Kim Petras at a Motorola Razr event about what it means to “feed the beast”

Video Transcript

KIM PETRAS: Do what you're afraid of. I think in life, in general, you need to do what you're scared of, but really, really want. For me, that's making big pop music and not being afraid of wanting to be on the biggest stages and wanting to make the catchiest music.

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Hi. What's up? I'm Kim Petras, and I'm here with "In The Know". Whoa-ah. I mean, well, for me, it was that I kind of came to LA and started going to songwriting sessions and stuff, and all that matters is am I good, then I can come back. You know, am I talented? What's inside my head and what's my talent? And whatever I worked really hard on and not who I am, what gender I am, what descriptions people-- you know, what box I'm being put into. That's been really, really incredible, just that people only cared about that and not anything else. Independently releasing was very fun. I really got to build my own path out. I got to do kind of whatever I wanted and release as much music as possible.

But it was just time and where I could handle everything that was going on. And I have a team that's very dedicated to my fans, and to my music, and to me being able to focus on the creativity. So I get to focus more on just being creative now and just doing what I love and other things that I used to have to, you know, do myself. "Feed the Beast" is a term that my amazing A&R Wendy Goldstein told me when my album leaked and everything went crazy. And it's funny, because I feel like every time that you really think and, like-- think, like, oh, I'm going to give up and, like, all my hard work was for nothing, then "Unholy" happened and, like, such an amazing moment. And I won a Grammy and stuff.

So she was like go back in, make more music, do what you do best, and feed the beast. And for me, it means a lot of do what you're afraid of. I think in life, in general, you need to do what you're scared of, but really, really one. For me, that's making big pop music and not being afraid of wanting to be on the biggest stages and wanting to make the catchiest music. Because I was a little comfortable being, you know, loved in gay clubs and going on tour with, you know, my amazing fans who have supported me for years at this point. But it was time to break out of that and try something new. And I'm really, really proud that I pushed myself.

And in general, I think you should always go and do what you're scared of. But I would say this is the most me project that just kind of is really how I feel and describes the different sides of my actual personal self. But I love writing from different perspectives and coming up with different characters. It's very freeing. It's very fun. And you just get to write as a completely different person. And I think that's creatively just so interesting to me. I feel most at home, most at peace when I'm constantly in the studio and in rehearsals. I think that's my calling in life. And prepping for the tour, making it the best it can be. And then I'll see you on the road, which is so, so exciting because it's been a little bit. And I'm so, so excited.

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