With a million Spotify plays under her belt, rising singer Kylie Odetta stops in Bluffton

In just a few short years, 24-year-old pop and soul singer Kylie Odetta has made a big name for herself on the national music scene, playing hundreds of live shows and opening for the likes of Gavin DeGraw, Mat Kearney, Austin Mahone, and more.

The Greenville, S.C., native has toured across the U.S. and the U.K, racking up more than a million Spotify plays in the process. On Friday, she’s bringing her unique blend of raspy pop vocals, deep drum grooves, and memorable melodies to The Roasting Room in downtown Bluffton.

Odetta took time out of her busy performance schedule to share with DO Savannah what inspires her, how hopscotch led to her first song, and why awkwardness makes live performing special.

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What made you first get into music?

Kylie Odetta: "My parents sang us to sleep every night when I was a kid and were always playing music around the house. When I was six years old, my parents encouraged my brother and I to pick a musical instrument and pick a sport, so that we could start taking lessons and figuring out what we enjoyed and were good at and to simply learn the disciplines of those two activities. I chose piano and dance."

When did you first writing songs?

Odetta: "I wrote my first song when I was eight years old. It was an a cappella tune that came to me while playing hopscotch in the driveway with my brother. I ran inside to write down the words and sing the melody into a little tape recorder so I wouldn’t forget it and then went back outside to play. Ever since that day it was like the floodgates opened."

Who are some of your influences?

Odetta: "A few of my biggest influences have been Adele, Vance Joy, Kenny Chesney, Corinne Bailey Rae, Ed Sheeran, and Alicia Keys."

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What kinds of stories do your songs tell?

Odetta: "I think ultimately, they weave a thread of hope and belief in goodness/beauty. I am captivated by the shared emotions we all experience even though we go through different situations. So, my songs dive into universal themes of love, heartbreak, rising up, finding out who you are, faith, and adventure through my own narrative."

What do you love about playing live?

Odetta: "My favorite thing about playing in front of a live audience is honestly all of the little imperfections and quirks that happen and seeing people lock in and engage with what you’re sharing.

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"The shared moment and the joy and even the awkwardness is what makes live music so epic. It kind of forces you to be present and only think about what is happening right then and there. I love that."

What do you hope people experience at your shows?

Odetta: "I always hope that people experience a fun, inviting, uplifting, and inspiring time at my shows and of course, really great music. I want people to walk away lighter, fuller, and more caught up in the wonder that still exists in life."

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Bluffton SC events: Kylie Odetta music at The Roasting Room