Kelsie Kimberlin
Singer-songwriter Kelsie Kimberlin returns with “Clumsy Girl,” an uplifting pop anthem celebrating self-acceptance, resilience, and hope. In this interview, she discusses the song’s inspiration, filming in wartime Kyiv, and balancing music with humanitarian work.
1. Your new single “Clumsy Girl” carries a strong message about self-acceptance and resilience. What inspired the concept behind the song, and how personal is it to your own journey?
I have known so many girls who went through a clumsy, awkward stage during their teen years, so I wanted to express that in a song. And then, I wanted to film the video in Kyiv during the war to show that Ukrainian girls still have to navigate this stage while being bombed every day.
2. After focusing much of your recent music on the situation in Ukraine, this release feels more uplifting and pop-driven. What motivated this shift back to your pop roots at this moment?
Yes, many of my previous videos have been very intense to show the terrible effects of war. With Clumsy Girl, I wanted to show that, despite the war, people still need to find love, have fun, and live their lives. So, this song returns to my pop roots.
3. You collaborated with an impressive international team, including Sean P. Jones. How did these collaborations shape the final sound of “Clumsy Girl”?
I have been working with Grammy winners on every song for several years, but Sean reached out to me after hearing my song, “The Drawer,” and asked to work with me on a song, so I agreed and flew to LA to record most of the vocals in his studio. It is always amazing to work with top professionals in the industry.
4. The music video, directed by Pavlo Khomiuk, was filmed in Kyiv under extremely challenging circumstances. How did that experience impact you both creatively and personally?
Yes, Pavlo is incredible. We filmed during a week of intense drone and missile attacks. In fact, in the apartment where some of the filming took place, the window where we are sitting got blown out after a massive drone attack and took two weeks to fix because so many windows in the area had been broken. But we wanted to show that Ukrainians continue to live, love, and smile.
5. The video highlights a heartfelt relationship between two girls navigating love and life. Why was it important for you to tell this particular story visually?
Julia is a good friend, and she is also in my next video, “Everything’s Better.” She is full of life and shows her emotions so well. So I wanted the video to show our love as a reflection for all young girls who look to each other to navigate life’s crazy times.
6. With your humanitarian work and upcoming documentary The Last Message, how do you balance your role as an artist with your mission to raise awareness and inspire hope through your projects?
Actually, it is not easy. Half of my life is devoted to business activities surrounding my work. “The Last Message” has become the darling of the global film festival circuit, with 30 awards across many categories. So I have to deal with marketing the film every day. There are so many injustices in the world that I have to pick and choose what to address. This summer, I hope to go to Colombia to film two upbeat videos so people have something to feel good about. In the USA, the political situation has people living in perpetual dread, so I need to give them hope with my music.