Shedaisy (Kristyn Osborn, Kelsi Osborn and Kassidy Osborn)
Shedaisy (Kristyn Osborn, Kelsi Osborn and Kassidy Osborn)
Kristyn Osborn, Kelsi Osborn and Kassidy Osborn. The three are sisters.
(Kristyn talks about the first label deal they had and how they coped with their label deal falling apart.)
Kristyn-I think that most people would have walked out of all that a little bit jaded. What we got out of that was nothing more than a growing experience, musically and personally. We learned about the business.
Kelsi- We had only been in Nashville three months when we got our first record deal. That was in 1990. We were really young when we first got our record deal and considering our ages, we were running around town saying to ourselves,’ wow! So this is how it works in Nashville. You come to town, make a demo and right away you get a record deal. Wow!’ but also when you’re that young, there are a lot of people who are not only controlling the decisions you should be making yourself, they’re controlling your music. And that’s not good. There were a lot of things that were out of our control when we got that first record deal. Because we were so inexperienced and impressionable, the end product wasn’t correct (The sisters had a record deal and a subsequent album back in 1990, which was never released.). The music wasn’t the right thing for us.
Kristyn- And we knew it.
Kelsi- That’s right, we knew it wasn’t right for us. So even though we were young and impressionable, we knew that record wasn’t going to be the best thing for us to do. So, instead of taking our one chance at a career with that one record, we decided not to let it come out. And when we did that, our whole world changed overnight. We were very well aware that, if we had put that record out back then, we would have been just another one of those flash in the pan acts. One of the advantages of being young is tat you think you’re invincible and unconquerable.
Kristyn-You think that you can do whatever you want.
Kelsi- So we weren’t bitter, when our record deal fell through, we just took on the attitude of, ‘Well it may take a while but we’ll show you.’ I mean the benefit of being family is that we’re not going to quit each other. There’s was support and family is always going to be there for you.
Kassidy- You know family is always going to be there and if one of us didn’t want to do it, or if one of us was disappointed, the others would be encouraging us by saying,’ you know we can do this. Let’s just stick it out.’ There was always an other opinion there which was definitely in our benefit. Because if it was just one of us who had moved to Nashville and was trying on our own, then it probably have been too hard. We would have given up a long time ago.
Kelsi- One day we walked out of our manager’s office, after an office meeting in 1994 and everything changed. We lost our management, record producer, record label and all of our contacts and I’ll tell you, boy was it scary! We walked out of that meeting and we looked at each other and said,’ Oh my gosh, we don’t know anybody here in Nashville we don’t have any contacts or anybody to work with.’
Kassidy-We had to start all over. Kelsi-It was so scary, but at the same time it was so liberating. For the first time since we had moved to Nashville we were in complete control of what we were about to do. I was very healthy. Kassidy- It was limitless.
(Would Shadaisy’s pop-oriented sound have made it onto country radio five years ago, when they had their first album ready to go?)
Kristyn- No way, not even probably three years ago. They were just being primed for us. But, today, the music has evolved from the first album experience, I was writing music for what they (radio) wanted back then. (Kristyn writes almost all of the girl’s songs.) For this album (“The Whole Shebang”) I decided to write songs for what we wanted to do. We were able to create a sound that has harmonies and arrangements in mind so that we do sound unique. I didn’t write songs to intentionally sound pop, or rock, I was trying to write songs that were real and sound like Shedaisy. So that’s what came out. Because of our uniqueness, I think we’ve created a sound that’s not copying any other sound socially in country now. (Background.)
Kelsi- We used to perform as Kassidy and Kelsi, at variety shows all over the Southwest. We performed at various places and functions and private parties and at old folks homes. This was from 1985 to about 1988. At one point, I had won a contest up in New York (City) to host a Showtime (cable network?) kids station and my dad flew Kristyn and Kassidy along and when they saw me do that show, they decided they wanted to join up with me. That’s we decided to do this professionally.
Kassidy- Back then we saw that there was a need in country music for more women as recording artist, there weren’t that many women in country music, so not knowing any better, we decided to move to Nashville and begin working on our career in country music.
Kelsi- Our mom’s name is Robyn Osborn and our dad’s name is David Osborn. Our dad owns a small clothing business in Utah. (What did the girls expect whenever they got their current label deal?) Well, since we’ve been in Nashville, we knew that when our record would come out, there would be a lot of music that was sounding like we were sounding years ago. So we decided that we definitely needed to do something really different. We knew once we got a record deal, that would be the easy part. We didn’t realize how difficult the competition would be, but we did know that once we got our record deal and our album came out, we’d have to do a lot of work to follow through. We also knew in order to cut through all the other projects that were coming out, we’d have to be and do something different. We’re also on a new record label and the benefits of that is that you don’t have as many rules and they’re (the record label) are more open to creative freedom as far as your music is concerned.
(What about the inevitable comparisons between Shedaisy and the Dixie Chicks?)
Kristyn- The Dixie Chicks were recording their record at the same time we were trying to get our record deal. In fact, at one point there was even one of the same songs we had on hold that the Dixie Chicks were also looking at recording. We’ve been aware of them the whole time. When we were recording our record, we had the opportunity to rush the production of our record, to put our record out before the Dixie Chicks had their record out.
Kassidy-If we would have rushed our record out, it would have been the wrong thing to do.
Kelsi- We said,’No way.’
Kristyn- The record label signed us long before the Dixie Chicks had their first record out.
Kelsi- I don’t think the Dixie Chicks have opened any doors for us. The biggest door opener for us has been Shania Twain. But what’s happened over the past year has really helped the Chicks. It would have been great to have our album come out first. But you can’t always set yourself up so that things work that way.
Kassidy- You can’t always set yourself up for that.
Kelsi- When the album comes out in May, that’ll be the right time for us. (What about the “gatekeepers” at radio. The program directors and consultants?)
Kassidy- We met with the “gatekeepers” at radio and we have had some extremely open minded comments about us and our music. You’re always going to get these people who say,’ Oh country music needs to get back to it’s roots. Country music needs another Class of ’89.’ We listened to all that stuff, but the point is, we also listened to Journey and Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt.
Kristyn- We’re the fans . We know what we like. Kassidy- We have friends who are average record buyers, we get their input. How do the “gatekeepers” know what the people living in the real world want? We’re a part of the real world and we’ve listening to what’s going on around us and to our friends who are in school. We were aware that country music has evolved and it was so frustrating several years ago, so meet with these gatekeepers and hear them say that country needed to go back to it’s roots and have another group of artists who sound like the Class of ’89. But thank goodness that’s changed. I guess the gatekeepers have finally figured out that we were in such a dry spell for creativity in country music and that something’s not working. So, let’s rework everything. I think they have.
We’re getting a little more support now. Even if these gatekeepers don’t like the music that they’re being presented with by the record companies, they’re realizing that the new country sounds by the younger artist are what their listeners want to hear. There’s nothing wrong with bringing new listeners to country music. That helps everybody.
(What’s the relationship like between the three sisters since they live and work together?)
Kassidy- We’ve lived together in the same house until about a year ago. And it was a small house so it’s a miracle we didn’t kill each other(she laughs). When we get a tour bus, it isn’t going to be hard because we’ll have a lot of other people with us.
Kelsi- We all complement each other and we all give our bit to each other every now and then. For instance.
Kristyn- Kelsi is always very consistent in whatever she does and she’s also very nurturing. So we’ve got the mom covered. The mom bases are covered. Kelsi- I’ll take care of everybody real well (she laughs).
Kristyn- So she’s very good at that. Kassidy, she provide’s the comic relief. We all know how stressful this can get, she definitely is one to lighten the situation.
Kelsi- She’s more positive.
Kristyn- She’s more positive and entertaining. She entertains us all (she laughs).
Kassidy- Kristyn, obviously by being the oldest is controlling. But in a good way though. She is hands on with the business stuff, she’s very business minded. She understands the business and knows what’s going on and she knows how to delegate to her lovely sisters (she laughs). She’s really good, she just knows how to take something and get it done and them move on to the next project.
Kristyn- if we didn’t have one person and we had each of us carrying the responsibilities, then nothing would ever get done. Kelsi- I’m twenty-four.
Kristyn-I’m twenty-eight. Kassidy- I’m twenty-two.
Part Two
SHeDAISY (Kristyn Osborn) Interview Transcription
Message: Kristyn, Kassidy and Kelsi Osborn are the country/pop vocal trio Shedaisy. SHeDAISY new album is titled “Knock On The Sky”.
What is the most vital aspect of the music by the USA country/pop trio SHeDAISY? According to Kristyn Osborn, there are, “no rules”, only “wonderful possibilities”, for their unique country/pop sound.
And, the music on their new album titled, “Knock On The Sky”, demonstrates that fact in exceptional fashion. Together, the intricate vocal interplay between SHeDAISY’s three sisters, Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn, have created some of the most exciting new music in the country/pop genre. As recording artists, the music by the three sisters fits together like the a complex, yet beautiful puzzle.
In the following interview, Kristyn Osborn talks about her unique talent as a songwriter, the distinctive SHeDAISY country/pop sound and the artistic force behind the group’s new album “Knock On The Sky”.
(Q)- Please state your name, age and place of birth.
Kristyn Osborn- I’m Kristyn Osborn, I am with the group SHeDAISY. I was born in Sugar House, Utah and I’m thirty-one years old.
(Q)- The new album is really pushing the definition of country and pop music.
Kristyn Osborn- Right.
(Q)- What is your own definition of what is a ‘country’ song?
Kristyn Osborn- I think that the definition of a country song is defined by a song that expresses something you feel, in the most honest way. When you go into a (recording) studio, there’s a billion different ways to record a song. Country music is something that appeals to (everyday people) middle America and that’s what’s wonderful about country music. Country music today is appealing to (everyday people) middle America.
(Q)- You’re very popular in the USA and SHeDAISY is often seen on television programs in the USA. While you are an attractive woman, some of the general public still views you as a ‘girl’ and the group as one that appeals to mainly teenaged girls. Yet with the music and lyrics on this new album, that is not the case.
Kristyn Osborn- I’m an adult! I’m a woman and I have now written an album about those issues. While our image is squeaky clean, we’re not squeaky clean. We’re normal people. We’re women! Now with our new album, I’m talking about things with my music that are more about a real (life) existence. It’s about coming to terms with dealing with life in the present. It is lyrically, more of a reality check.
(Q)- What about your private life? It seems as if your private life has suddenly become one of public record in the USA media.
Kristyn Osborn- My private life has become very public, so people know what’s going on with me. I have very forgiving and understanding fans.
(Q)- That must be a fulfilling place for you as an individual and a songwriter.
Kristyn Osborn- I’m really grateful that I’ve found a place to write from as a (song) writer.
(Q)- How do you see your fan base changing? Does SHeDAISY have the potential to become known to an international audience?
Kristyn Osborn- Yes. I have been meeting with fans at in-store appearances (In the USA.) to meet them and sign autographs and I love it.
(Q)- Why?
Kristyn Osborn- Because all kinds of people are coming out to meet us. I thought that the fans would be mostly the angst-ridden, high school and college girls. I was thinking of a much more specific group of individuals. Yet, we had forty, fifty year old women, as well as men, coming out to meet us. That was wonderful to me. It proves to me that there is a broad audience for our music. It was great to see that. With this new album I feel we have the potential to reach a very broad audience with our music.
(Q)- Lyrically, the new album “Knock On The Sky”, displays the inner world of an individual, in a range of both depth and complexity, that the previous debut album by SHeDAISY, “The Whole Shebang”, was only beginning to venture within.
Kristyn Osborn- Yes, that is true.
(Q)- There is a sense of a woman whom wants to “break out” and express herself, yet she has possibly been somewhat repressed. And you are the primary songwriter, the one constant throughout the entire body of work. Now, can one find within the lyrics of this new album, you as well as your relationship with your sisters?
Kristyn Osborn- Yes.
(Q)- What has inspired you to write lyrics and music that is so revealing? And more importantly, why now?
Kristyn Osborn- Well, the only explanation for me is that I kind of gauge what I do and then there’s kind of a weird blending of both the commercial aspects as well as the art of songwriting, which I think I have learned to do. When I wrote the lyrics for this record I kind of placed myself outside of being an artist and I placed myself into the role of a listener.
(Q)- What compels you to create such revealing song lyrics for commercial and thus mass consumption?
Kristyn Osborn- I think about what would compel me as a fan, to go out and be passionate enough to call a radio station and say that I want to hear that song again and again. Or, to be passionate enough to actually go out and buy a record. And, the only thing that would compel me as a fan to actually go out and do that is something that moves me in some way. I’m not really big on music that has a big beat. I like that to an extent but I don’t go out and actually buy a record, unless it has something that connects with me lyrically. You can tell when a songwriter is being honest with their music and their song lyrics.
(Q)- The new album is very risky. Both sonically (sound) as well as lyrically you’re pushing the limits of what is country music and breaking the old rules.
Kristyn Osborn- Yes. I agree one hundred per cent. (Q)-Why have you chosen this time to take such a risk with your music and your recording career?
Kristyn Osborn- I make the majority of my decisions by my instinct. Yet, I don’t feel like I made a mistake, I would make the same record if I had to do it again. There are no songs I would yank out, if it was done all over again. And so if it doesn’t work, I know that I did the right thing. And, while I cannot justify that, it’s just something that you feel sometimes. And, I have gotten so much positive response from the new record, surprisingly enough even more then first album!
(Q)- In your opinion, is the world ready for the change that has taken place in the USA within the country music genre over the past two years? And, is the world ready for the way that SHeDAISY is changing the definition of country music?
Kristyn Osborn- Yes! Absolutely! I know that if people get a chance to hear our record, then they will buy it. I’ve been in country music or thirteen years now. I’ve seen all of the changes that have happened and we’ve been singing together now for eighteen years. I’ve also seen all of the changes for women within the country genre throughout that period of time. So to me, as a woman, this is the challenge we’re facing.
Shedaisy (Kristyn Kassidy Kelsi) Interview
(Q)- The current tour is going great!
Kristyn- Thank you!
(Q)-To some folks in the music industry within Nashville, Shedaisy isn’t exactly known as a touring act. Yet the you all have performed together for many years. Please explain how you three are handling the performances on this tour?
Kristyn- We’ve had to prove ourselves on this current tour. Over and over again. It’s a way to show people that performing is second nature to us. Because we’ve been performing together for so long.
Kassidy- We’ve brought out five players with us because we want people to hear the stripped down….
Kristyn- ‘Acoustic sound’.
Kassidy- ‘Acoustic sound’.
(Q)- Why?
Kassidy- Because we want people to be able to hear our vocals and hear the range of harmonies as we have done them, with our (studio) songs. It’s been really fun because people have been able to hear our songs and they’ve been able to, ‘Get It’.
Kelsi- It’s a different sound, a different approach. It’s something different for us to try. It is interesting to see how well the songs stand up to performing the material in that kind of setting.
(Q)- Ok. I’ll cut to the chase, we’re on a tight schedule today. The ‘Big Question’. Since you’re out on the road proving that you all are ,’veteran performers’, are there any moments when, right before your show, stage fright creeps in? Simply put, do you three young ladies have any stage fright right now, before a big show?
(A)- All three in unison- YES! (laughter)
Kassidy- It makes me a little bit nervous, I think for me getting through the first song is it then I’m, fine. It’s far more exciting for me performing for a bigger crowd, yet I get far more nervous performing for a small crowd then a large crowd. I do get a bit nervous whenever we’re performing in front of a smaller crowd.
Kristyn- Every time you get that little rush right before you go out (on-stage) and once settle into it, then everything’s cool.
(Q)-How do you remedy that feeling so you put on a great performance?
Kassidy-It really depends on the fans whenever you get feedback from the fans, or you see the fans moving around, then it gets you a little more excited.
Kristyn- I think we’re always going to have a little bit of stage fright and the moment we don’t, then I think we’re going a little bit too comfortable with what we’re doing. And, whenever you get too comfortable, then you sometimes start getting complacent.
Kristyn (continues)- With this kind of a crowd (100,000-plus) it almost becomes to us like one big, huge person. (All three laugh in unison.) Sometimes that can be easier to perform to but unfortunately, you cannot connect like you do (one on one) in a small venue. But the adrenaline rush from this kind of a crowd is obviously much larger.
(Q)Hopefully we’re learning night after night.
Kristyn- You learn something from literally every show that you do. Like I said, the moment that you feel comfortable, the second you feel too comfortable, I think that you’re not taking something in and learning or getting better.
Kassidy- You constantly want to progress. We like movement.
Kristyn- We like movement. (laughs)