Performing Artist Spotlight: Kristin Esper
By Denton Turner
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS – Kristin Esper is a singer-songwriter who plays music in the folk, red dirt, Americana and Western genres.
How long have you been writing and performing?
I’ve been singing my whole life, starting with musical theater as a kid. I’ve always written in many forms: creative writing, poetry and songs mostly.
What is your favorite thing about performing?
You can’t get the same feeling playing cross-legged on your bed that you get when you play for an audience. Music comes more alive when you’re on stage. I love watching people get into it. I also love writing. It’s an amazing outlet and challenge that gets better and better the more you work at it.
Has COVID-19 had an impact on your income? Have you had to find other means of income this past year?
Yes, my main job was as a marketing director for a vacation rental company. When COVID hit and the vacation rental industry came to a halt, I was laid off. Since then, I’ve started my own digital marketing company. It’s going well but building a business from scratch during COVID has had its challenges. I’m grateful that I have another avenue to keep earning income; there were some rough spots in the beginning, but now my business is growing.
How has your creative approach changed during COVID? Have you found it easier or more difficult to be creative
In the beginning it was easier to be creative because all this time opened up. Now I’d say it’s about the same. I’ve been writing much more now that I’m not able to perform as much.
What are you using for inspiration during these times to keep up with your work?
I have two horses and compete in barrel racing events and rodeos. Though those events have been slow too, at least I can keep riding my horses every week. If I didn’t have that, I can’t imagine how my inspiration or state of mind would be. I’d say being stressed or worried about the times we find ourselves in can be soothed by writing music at home and getting out to ride my horses. However, not having those gigs to look forward to probably makes my progress slower.
What kind of an impact do you think COVID-19 has had on the music industry?
COVID-19 has hit the music industry really hard. Many musicians I know have been picking up side jobs to get through. Everybody is looking forward to more live music again.
How do you perceive the industry changing moving forward?
Honestly, I don’t think the industry should change. I just want to be doing what we did before, safely. We can’t live in bubbles the rest of our lives because of this situation. That’s not saying we shouldn’t be smart, like continuing to wash our hands frequently and not going in public when we’re sick – like people so often used to do. Of course, I think the COVID vaccine will become a huge tool in allowing our lives to go back to normal. I see smaller gatherings as the transition into performing like we used to.
What do you miss most about performing before COVID-19?
I miss all the people! Crowds are what feed good music. When I play and the crowd is energized and loving the music, I love playing that much more. I also really miss people coming up to me and telling me how much a certain song hit them and how it made them feel when I sang it. That is so cool, to be able to make people feel deeper and really enjoy music.
Are there any positive things that you’ve seen as a result of the pandemic?
Yes, I’m very grateful that I was able to use COVID-19 as an opportunity to start my own business. It was something I had wanted to do, but I was tentative to take the leap. Well, COVID forced me down that road and I’m really glad it did.