Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Cote
Hi Kay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Music has always been a big part of my life. Ever since I was walking and talking I was singing and dancing. A natural performer, I took as many opportunities as I could, despite being from a small town in North Dakota. Throughout my youth I was involved with drama club and music, I fell in love with guitar and keyboard as well as vocal work. I truly found my voice at International Music Camp during my high school years. In college I sang in Women’s Choir and served on student government as the Director of Entertainment, where I booked entertainment and planned events for student life. In my young adult life I traveled to Los Angeles to work on my acting. After returning home I continued to act in local commercials and promotional videos. In 2019 I produced and hosted my first live radio show, which turned into my first podcast. This is where I had my first opportunity to partner with a network. In 2023 I spoke at Podfest Expo in Orlando, FL and connected with industry leaders and grow my skills as a podcaster. A month before the event, I had moved to Austin, TX from Fargo, ND. Within a few months after moving, music once again called me back. I connected with local electronic music producers and DJs, and a few months after that I launched Amplify EDM in July 2023. As the company took shape, I developed a team of supporters who helped me launch our first party in October of that year. Amplify EDM started to take shape as a music and entertainment company focused on throwing curated music events featuring the best local talent. Along with that, I launched my 2nd podcast, AMPEDCast, which features stories of EDM artists from all walks of their journey. I’ve been invited to podcast in the green room with well known, touring artists to share their stories. My recent addition to the business is getting back to my roots in music as a vocalist and share my story as inspiration to other artists to follow their dreams in music. I’m providing vocals for a track in collaboration with one of my biggest influences in music, German producer, Steve Brian. Austin has given me a fantastic opportunity to put myself out there and create a community that inspires other artists to do the same.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My road has not been smooth, and I’ve faced many challenges along the way. In my youth I struggled with being bullied for many years, which suppressed my vivacious spirit. In many ways I lost who I was, however music has always been a place of refuge for me. It took me many years — and truly is a life-long process — of finding myself again. In my young adult life I struggled to know who I was, and pushed music out of my life for many years. It wasn’t until 2021 when I started to get back into it as a shuffle dancer working with a local DJ. In the fall of 2022 my husband and I made a very fast decision to move to Austin. We uprooted from North Dakota to make the move that December, and by May 2023, he and I decided to part ways. Our relationship had been on the rocks for some time, even before we decided to move to Austin. We thought the move would be a fresh start for us, however it was quite the opposite, and we found more distance within our relationship. We decided to part ways that spring, and he moved back to North Dakota. I found myself having to start my life over, alone, in a new city after 7 years with someone by my side. It was hard, and at times I didn’t think I was going to make it. The hidden blessing is that once again, I found myself gravitating back to music. As an entrepreneur at heart, I felt the calling to launch Amplify EDM as a community for those who found refuge in music. I realize now that it was also a place for me to find healing. The hardships I’ve faced in life ultimately gave me the courage to start over again. I realized that being knocked down to the bottom, the only way to go is up. I thought to myself, I might as well go big this time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Amplify EDM?
Amplify EDM is build on a community of artists and creatives in the electronic music space. We are known for throwing events that feature local talent while providing a media outlet for artists to share their stories. What sets us apart from others is our community. No two Amplify EDM events are the same. Our dream team is a mix of visionaries, strategists and creatives who work together to produce events that are highly curated and that fit our client’s needs. Most importantly, we have a ton of fun! We care about the artists, and believe in local talent, and give them a platform to not only perform, but to have a voice on our platform. The media side of Amplify EDM shares artists stories on our podcast, AMPEDCast. We’ve partnered with venues, festivals and event organizers to capture stories as part of their events. We offer full-service event entertainment planning. We provide a variety of creative partners to build promotional assets, such as podcasting, voice over work, photography/videography and visual design. Our overarching goal is to bring creatives together to share their talents to create the best events Austin has to offer.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My view on risk taking is without risk, there is no reward. I believe taking educated risks is the only way to grow and refine who you are – whether in business or personal life. I’ve been known to take risks and put myself out there. I don’t fear failure, I fear staying stagnant for my entire life. I’ve witnessed loved ones who have spent their life playing it safe and ended up saying no to their dreams and aspirations. My biggest fear in life is lost potential, taking risks is a way to grow, define and refine who you are as a person. Everything in life is a stepping stone, and sometimes you have to take a risk and leap to the next one to discover who you are and what you can do.
Pricing:
- Be a Sponsor for AMPEDCast $500+
- Event Audit Consultation $250
- Electronic Press Kit Bootcamp Builder Course $129
- Artist Booking $125+
- Event Production $1200+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amplifyedm.com
- Instagram: @amplifyedm @thekaycote
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyedm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ampedcast
Image Credits
Bomotion5
OhhRyan Nice Shot
Amy in the Pit
Justin Jackson
