Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Olson.
Kristina, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I started in the music industry back in 2001/2002. I’d just graduated from high school when I moved to Los Angeles. I was about 18 or 19 at the time. I didn’t know I could really write songs yet, and I was just teaching myself to play the guitar. Eventually, I managed to put a band together with some people who believed in me.
I had a lot of band members over the course of about ten years and had to change the name of the band at one point from The Paper Dolls to Kristina and The Dolls (this was due to legal reasons). I had some pretty awesome experiences and opportunities. Even though I eventually disbanded the project, I learned a lot. I probably should have moved on to a new project sooner, but I just couldn’t let it go.
During my time in LA, I signed a record deal with Lakeshore Records (a division of Lakeshore Entertainment). I was fortunate enough to have worked with some awesome people like Danny Lohner (NIN, A Perfect Circle, Marilyn Manson) and Dave Jerden (Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction). I’ve also written and performed songs for films and even sang the theme song for Mattel’s Barbie. After disbanding Kristina & The Dolls, I took an extended break. I went back to school and got my degree in Earth Sciences from UCSD and spent some time working the fitness industry earning my professional status in the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) in 2014. Eventually, I got to a point where I just wasn’t feeling fulfilled and was pretty miserable. That’s when I realized that the break was over and it was time for me to start writing and creating again. I’m really excited about the overall creative direction for Le Destroy.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Le Destroy’s a music, multi-media, and performance art project. It’s been described as Industrial tinged Post-punk. I honestly don’t have a good genre nailed down for the style but those two are what the media’s labeled it as. I write, play/program, engineer and produce the music in my studio. I also work with some other very talented creatives, like FX and Makeup Artist Meredith Johns (Owner of Hawgfly Productions, Inc), on some of the more visual elements.
The art I create for Le Destroy isn’t overtly message-driven. I like to try and leave it open to interpretation. I really want it to touch every person in its own unique way instead of me telling them how they should feel and what it means. Especially, since what it means to me could be totally different than what it means to them, and I’d hate to spoil it for them.
If I or the project did have a message, I guess it would be to think for yourself. Form your own opinions. Don’t be afraid to be unique, true to yourself, and go against the grain.
I draw inspiration from a lot of different things… my past, world history, the present, thoughts of the future, trends in technology, media, other artists, stories and folklore, religion, films, TV, politics, power… you name it and it impacts the art. The only limiting factor in whether or not something inspires me is whether or not I find it compelling and feel passionate about it.
I know my music and the visual elements won’t be for everyone. I definitely expect it to make some people uncomfortable… which it does. I make it to express thoughts and feelings I have that don’t have another outlet. They can be graphic, abrasive, offensive, and a bit tougher to digest than some of the other stuff out there right now. Le Destroy isn’t exactly made for the general population, but the people who get it really dig it.
The stereotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Man, the struggle is real. We’ve all been there working two and three jobs, in debt, living out of cars, struggling to buy food. It sucks. Having some form of consistent income can help you avoid some of that, even if it’s just part-time. I know artists can think they won’t have enough time to work on their craft, and some even have thoughts in the back of their mind that it will somehow make them less of an artist. Not true! It won’t make you any less of an artist and you should still have enough time if working part-time to pursue your art. Just don’t get yourself into a job that’s future and goal oriented. Those have a way of sucking you in and taking away too much time from the art.
When you do get part-time work, do your best to make sure it’s dependable income and not some questionable contractor work. I can’t tell you how many people get screwed by situations like that. Then you’re out both time and money.
Lastly, if you’re already struggling, don’t put yourself at greater risk by trying to carry someone else on your back. It’s different if you have a spouse or children, but if you’re dating someone who’s helping you sink, you REALLY need to take a long hard look at that. At least that’s been my experience.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I recently released the Debut EP for Le Destroy called ‘We Destroy’. It’s available on all the major download and streaming platforms including iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, Deezer, Tidal and many more.
The first music video “Monster” is available for streaming on YouTube. A good short description for it, “In a biopunk world, we explore the monster within.”
I have a Patreon page where fans of Le Destroy can get access to other cool stuff that you can’t get anywhere else. You can find it at www.patreon.com/ledestroy. If fans sign up as a Patron, they have the opportunity to get special rewards like access to behind the scenes live streaming in the studio and during music video shoots, early access to demos for the debut album (coming early 2019), handwritten lyrics, small merch, and a ton of other cool stuff.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ledestroy.com
- Email: ledestroymusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_kristina_olson
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ledestroy
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/_kristina_olson
- Other: www.youtube.com/ledestroy
Image Credit:
BJ Lewallen
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
