Kaitlyn Nicole founded Pop Passion Blog in September 2021. A singer-songwriter who spent time in music promotion during college, took stock of how it was being done, and decided to build something different - thankfully. Co-owner Karlee Skipper joined her, and together they run an independent pop platform that covers everything from the biggest names to artists writing songs alone in their bedrooms. We asked them everything.
Passion Picks Playlist, refreshed monthly with independent pop songs:
Introducing: Pop Passion
There is a specific kind of pop music person who isn't just a fan; they go a little deeper. They grew up in a house where music was always on, sang along before they could explain why certain lyrics meant anything real, and felt something physical every time the right note got hit. And, eventually, they ended up inside the music industry, in a small way at first, and didn't like what they saw. Not the music.
The way people were treating the artists behind it. (we concur)
Kaitlyn Nicole is that person. She founded Pop Passion Blog in 2021 after working in music promotion during college, and the founding mission has never changed: care for the artists, not just the business. Karlee Skipper came on board as co-owner, and the two of them have been doing the work that most pop blogs can't be bothered to do. Hunting for the hitmakers who haven't been heard by the right ears yet. The ones who took their identity and turned it into a sound, rather than just imitating whoever already made it.
Their filter is specific. Lyric-first. Honest. Built around the belief that a great story paired with a structure nobody has heard before is almost impossible to ignore. Pop Passion landed at number nine on FeedSpot's Best Pop Music Blogs list in 2022. The Passion Picks Playlist refreshes on Spotify every month, so make sure you’re following that.
We sat down with Kaitlyn and Karlee to find out what pop music looks like when someone understands it and listens to it the way they do.
What was the magic moment that made you fall in love with music?
I grew up with a natural love for music. My dad was a guitar player, and whenever he would play I would sit with him and want to sing along. Car rides were never silent. Even as a toddler I could feel a special, euphoric type of feeling every time I could sing my favorite songs.
How would you describe the 'sonic DNA' of your page/blog? What is the common thread in the music you choose to champion?
I think we find artists who are hitmakers at heart, and they just haven’t been heard by the right ears yet. By heart, I’m a lyric lover. If your song has a great story that people can relate to, that can almost overpower the music itself. However, if you also pair it with a personalized, catchy structure that nobody has ever heard before, then you’ve got me. If an artist can somehow take their identity and then turn it into a sound, then they’re already one step ahead. Too many pop artists nowadays try to sound like everybody else that has already made it.
In an era of endless uploads, what is the one thing, beyond the music itself, that makes an artist impossible for you to ignore?
When they have the courage to still be themselves. This industry is really hard, and a lot of artists feel the need to change who they are in order to get attention. I’ve learned to spot who is still genuine and who isn’t. I love the artists who hold onto their true identity and still capture my attention.
What originally drew you to music curation, and what keeps you hunting for new sounds every day?
I originally worked for someone else who promoted artists to get experience during college. Long story short, as a musician myself, I wanted to create a new blog that was built around care for the artists and not just business. It’s been a beautiful journey getting to know not only so many new artists but other writers and curators as well. When you’re an avid music lover like me, you never get tired of finding new music to listen to and discovering new favorite artists.
Which streaming service do you use, and why?
For personal use, I use Apple Music due to the better sound quality. They have more complex settings to adjust your sound. However, I know that a lot of people can’t always afford subscription services, so Pop Passion Blog offers our playlists on Spotify.
Walk us through your discovery process. Do you prefer the 'wild' of SoundCloud/Socials, or do you rely on specific communities?
When it comes to finding songs to post on our blog, we’ve been lucky to grow to the point that we had to find some way to stay organized through the intense amount of messages and emails. Currently we use SubmitHub and Groover for submissions. However, we definitely will admit to doomscrolling on Instagram and unexpectedly finding even more favorite artists that way as well.
What is one trend in the music scene right now that you think more listeners (and artists) should be paying attention to?
How more artists are obtaining ownership of their masters, and even mainstream pop artists are starting to go independent. I believe it is more important to have control over your music and career than to have any sort of “boost” that is not even promised in the first place. You are in control of your own destiny!
If our readers could only listen to three artists you’ve discovered recently, who should they be?
This is the hardest question to ever ask me.
I’m only going to mention these three because they’ve recently released music.
LØLØ - Has a new album called “god forbid a girl spits out her feelings”, highly recommend.
Skylar Lee - Not a new discovery, but she’s an artist that has consistently stuck with me as a favorite ever since I started curating and I think she deserves the world.
David Wimbish & The Collection - Also not a new discovery, but another artist who has consistently stuck with me through my journey as a blogger. Personally, I think is one of the most underrated songwriters I know.
Thanks to the fantastic Pop Passion Blog co-founders, Kaitlyn Nicole and Karlee Skipper, for joining us in the Q&A series.
