Meet Kristen Englenz: Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, Bird-Caller, and occasional Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Englenz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
There’s no such thing as the overnight success. Society has been sold the story of the talented, out-of-nowhere, prodigy discovered overnight and launched into the stars of fame for at least hundreds of years (what’s up, Mozart?!). It can be defeating coming into the music business to find, regardless of how talented one is, you’ve gotta walk the proverbial miles. To be honest, the overnight success story takes a lot of credit away from the time, persistence, and work anyone who’s “made it” has put in. The people who stay in this industry, at any level, are in it because they love it in the deepest most fulfilling and obsession-like sense of the word. Perhaps that’s what we should shine a light on: those who with no guarantees, and no set path, have the courage to persevere in the name of love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a bit of a mixed bag creative, but I’ve devoted the better part of my adult life to being a performing singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with the occasional bird-call thrown in. It’s through the medium of music that I feel most capable of expressing honestly and sharing uniquely my experience with others. You need not look much further for a bio or story of who I am than in the lyrics and melodies of my songs. They’re vignettes of my life delivered as honestly and vulnerably as I know how. I recently released my first full-length album “ingénue” which is my proudest work to date. It’s filled with the end of my adolescence and the bold first steps and trip-ups of young adulthood. Like most of my work it’s filled with the yearning to belong, the championing of love, and hope.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This has certainly changed during the time of covid! In the “before times” I’d say we start the day off with a cup of coffee from Dancing Goats in Decatur and stroll around the city and through the Decatur Cemetery. Then I’d say lets jaunt over to Ria’s for some of the best breakfast in town. After breakfast we could walk across the street for a stroll through Oakland cemetery (is there a theme here?). I’d then swing downtown to the High museum. After we could jaunt to PCM for some margs and tacos at Minero then walk along the beltline and perhaps grab some King of Pops depending on the season. I’d definitely have to walk them through Little 5, show them my old place across the street. What’s next… Dinner could be anywhere.. I’d probably have to suggest some solid Barbecue or Fried Chicken from one of the many great hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joints. After we’d definitely be going to a show at Eddie’s Attic or The Earl before dancing the rest of the night away in The Basement with my sisters. And cant sleep until late night Delia’s with some lil cluckers cluck off, steak fries, and grilled mac.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my family.

Website: https://www.kristenenglenz.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_englenz/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-englenz-ab989117?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B2lVT5oaKQfuzHQStAbajkg%3D%3D
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristenEnglenz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenEnglenz/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kristenenglenz
Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0uxAKCEhudAORFCbcMOThZ?si=ARlNDxyeSi-lvag4sT8h9g https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kristen-englenz/562214223

Image Credits
Ward Weems, Eric Englert, Wendy Lenz, Scott Sanders, Duende Vision