Kelsie Kimberlin is a 24-year old singer-songwriter who has been involved with music her entire life, starting with children’s and church choirs and then recording her first song at age eight for Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, which won first prize and a $5000 award. She spent all of that money on music lessons and started recording her own music in the studio at age 12. Over the past several years, she has recorded more than 100 original songs.
"Lady Liberty" was released in late March 2026 as a cinematic, emotionally charged lament. What inspired you to write this song at this particular moment, and how does it connect to your own experiences as an American-Ukrainian artist?
I have seen the current Administration here in the United States trample the Constitution, laws that have been in place for decades, and the rights of immigrants because of a misguided belief that foreigners are the cause of all US problems. I am the daughter of an immigrant from Ukraine, and so I knew that I had to speak out about these attacks, and that's what inspired the song and video.
The song addresses themes of eroding democratic ideals, immigration, authoritarianism, and the dimming of Liberty’s torch. Can you walk us through some of the specific lyrics or imagery that were most important to you, and what you hope listeners take away from them?
Because the attacks are on basic liberties enshrined in the Constitution, I wanted the song and video to be epic and emotionally powerful. Therefore, the lyrics are important and evoke patriotic pictures in the listener's mind. I want the song to linger, and the video to provoke introspection.
Your music often blends personal storytelling with broader social commentary. How did current events in America and your humanitarian ties to Ukraine shape the message in “Lady Liberty”?
As noted, I am the daughter of an immigrant, so the attacks on immigrants are personal for me. If my mom had been targeted and deported, where would I be? My family would have been torn apart. So I am using my voice to speak for the voiceless.
The track has an anthemic, alt-rock/pop sound with a powerful production. Who did you collaborate with on the music and the lyric video, and what was the vision behind its cinematic feel?
Yes, this was intentional because I wanted to move people. My Ukrainian film team created the music video, which is amazing because they seem to understand the importance of the Statue of Liberty better than most Americans. I worked with my amazing team of producers from three continents, including Grammy winners and nominees.
You've mentioned the Statue of Liberty’s famous poem (“Give me your tired, your poor...”). How does the song serve as both a lament and a call to action or hope in today’s climate?
I want the song and video to force people to see the danger facing the USA, and then do something about it. Freedoms are so easy to lose, but together, we can protect them if we know what is at stake.
You’ve been writing and releasing music since a young age (including an early win with Yoko Ono’s Peace Project). How has your songwriting evolved from those early days to a track as bold and politically resonant as “Lady Liberty”?
My work with the Yoko Ono Peace Project when I was eight helped me to see that music can make a difference when it is honest. I write all kinds of different music, Pop, Rock, Latin, and Cinematic, so it was natural for me to release "Lady Liberty." I want to give a shout-out to Margo MacDonald, who greatly contributed to the song.
As someone with deep connections to Ukraine and a foundation supporting humanitarian causes, how does your activism influence the emotional core of songs like this one?
I never wanted to be a cause issue songwriter, but I have seen so many injustices in my life that I felt compelled to make that part of my music. The war in Ukraine and President Zelensky's request that artists use their platforms to speak about Ukraine inspired me to travel there to film music videos about the war.
What was the most challenging or rewarding part of bringing “Lady Liberty” from idea to release?
The recording part was the easiest, just because I have spent so many years in the studio and have an amazing production team. And the video was the most challenging because I wanted it to powerfully represent the feel and lyrics of the song. I told the video director to make it emotional and epic.
Following “Lady Liberty,” you released “Clumsy Girl” in mid-April 2026—a brighter, more pop-oriented track about embracing imperfection. What prompted this shift in tone so soon after such a heavy single, and how do the two songs complement each other in your view?
I have released so many songs and videos in the past few years about heavy topics that I wanted a change to my more pop style. I am planning to release up to a dozen songs and videos this year, and most of them will be more pop. I have also been invited back to Colombia to film some Latin/Afrobeat songs that I am currently working on. I hope to do that in August. One thing about "Clumsy Girl" is that it was filmed in Ukraine, and I wanted to show that people there still have fun, fall in love, and go about their daily lives.
“Champ” (released earlier in 2026 around the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine) is a hard-rocking tribute to dignity and resilience. Can you tell us about the personal or communal stories behind it, and why it felt important to release it when you did?
"Champ" was also filmed in Ukraine, and it is a metaphor or statement about how the Ukrainian people feel about the war. They know they will win even when they get knocked down here and there. The song and video were inspired by 16-year-old Ukrainian karate champion Mariia Hnes, who refused to shake hands with a competitor from the enemy country. I travelled to Kyiv to film the music video with her and, after it went viral, we decided to launch a campaign to raise funds to support the children of Ukrainian soldiers to participate in sports: ukrainianchampio...om/en/
You have a rich catalogue, including earlier tracks like “Fruit Basket,” “Dream of Peace,” and others with themes of hope and unity. How do your more recent 2026 releases (“Champ,” “Lady Liberty,” “Clumsy Girl”) fit into the bigger evolution of your sound and message?
As noted, I want my music and videos to affect people and stand the test of time. Disposable music is not my thing. I want to be seen as a musician who is not pigeon-holed into a narrow genre. I create music and videos that move me, and if they do that, I know they will move other people.
Several of your videos and songs tie directly to Ukraine (e.g., filming “Clumsy Girl” in Kyiv during challenging times). How do these experiences shape the authenticity and urgency in your post-“Lady Liberty” work?
One thing about me that everyone seems to pick up on is the authenticity of my music and videos. I don't sing songs or copy others for a cynical reason. The good thing about my production team is that we can act quickly to record songs and create videos, so they can be released quickly. In this way, they address important issues in real time.
With releases coming relatively close together, what’s your approach to balancing heavier, message-driven songs with more upbeat or personal ones like “Clumsy Girl”?
I want fans to see that I can do anything I want with my music, and that I love to do pop and Latin music because they are fun and don't usually address heavy subjects. I am the only international artist to spend a week on the Ukrainian front filming a movie about Ukrainian resistance and resilience. And I am the only artist who travelled to Colombia and into the rain forest to meet with the indigenous WIWA tribe. In both cases, I filmed music videos which will be released later this year. My planned release schedule this year will be very robust simply because I write and record so many songs--more than 100 are waiting to be released. So, I would prefer to release a new song every two weeks, but the video team has trouble keeping up with the volume of songs.
You’ve recorded over 100 original songs. Are there any upcoming projects, EPs, or an album that will tie these recent singles together thematically?
My movie, "The Last Message," has four of my songs in the soundtrack, and currently it is the darling of the global film festival circuit with 25 awards since March for Best Feature Documentary and Best Film on Women. thelastmessagemo...e.com/ Now, I am seeking a strong distributor to license it to a streaming service. I might release another EP or album near the end of the year. I am excited about returning to Colombia this summer to record and film new music videos.
How has fan response to “Lady Liberty” and your recent singles influenced your direction moving forward?
What’s one message or story you’re most excited to share through your music in the coming months or years?
I don't think that "Lady Liberty" has influenced my direction because it is just another piece in my musical puzzle. I want people to know that I have a new batch of music that takes things to a different level. Some of the songs are so different than what other people are doing or have done.
For fans discovering you through “Lady Liberty,” which older tracks would you recommend they listen to next to understand the full scope of your artistry?
Oh my, that's a trick question because all of my songs are my babies. I can say that I have so many songs now that there is something for everyone. What I like most is hearing from fans, and even seasoned musicians, that my music connects with them and always excites. Fortunately, all of my songs over the past three years have included Grammy winners and nominees in the production process. So we have real quality control.
Finally, beyond music, how does your work with The Kelsie Kimberlin Foundation connect to the themes in your recent releases?
My foundation is to support Ukraine. Last year, I received the United Nations Humanitarian Award and the St. George's Royal Medal of Honour from King Charles for my strong support of Ukraine. That support will continue as long as there is a need.
In closing, I want to say thank you for the terrific interview, and I want all your readers to know how grateful I am for the opportunity to let them know a little bit more about me.
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