We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kayla Cote. Check out our conversation below.
Kayla, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For the past two years, I’ve been in the business of helping artists grow — guiding DJs, producers, and musicians to share their stories and music with the world. But somewhere along that journey, I rediscovered something within myself — my own voice.
When I was young, I sang everywhere — in school, on stage, even in college. Music was how I expressed joy, and singing was my first love. Over time, life, fear, and self-doubt crept in. I started to believe the quiet lie that I wasn’t enough. But in the past six months, that voice — the one I buried for so long — started calling me again.
I’ve spent years helping artists build confidence and release their music, yet I realized I hadn’t fully practiced what I preach. The fear of judgment, of not being perfect, or of being compared to others, kept me quiet. But the truth is, our stories and our songs are never meant to be perfect — they’re meant to be honest. Now, I’m stepping into that space, trusting my melodic instincts, and choosing courage over fear.
I’ve also had to confront the echoes of old naysayers — those voices that once told me I wasn’t good enough. But they don’t define me. My purpose, my persistence, and my community do. The people I’ve built around me — artists, friends, supporters — are the ones who remind me that my voice deserves to be heard.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kay Cote — founder and CEO of Amplify EDM, where we help artists grow through creative development, events, and education. Our mission is simple: to help artists share their truth and redefine what success in music means today. Through AMPEDCast, our podcast, we explore the artist’s journey, creativity, and the evolving music industry.
Working with musicians inspires me daily. As a vocalist myself, I understand the challenges artists face — the doubts, the setbacks, the fear of visibility. Having spent over a decade as a business owner, I bring together mindset, marketing, and artistry to help others turn their passion into a sustainable creative business.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I think of who I was before the world told me who I should be, I picture my five-year-old self — vibrant, fearless, and full of joy. I loved to perform, not for attention, but to make people feel. Somewhere along the way, school systems and bullying dulled that sparkle. But I always found my way back through music and through the people who loved it as much as I did.
To the dreamers, the music makers, and my endlessly supportive mother — thank you for reminding me to return to myself.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
There’s a lyric from Tinlicker’s “Rebirth” that I hold close to my heart:
“You ever wonder why the kindest get the roughest ride?
Or how the toughest ones don’t share the things they feel inside?”
That lyric mirrors my life. I’ve faced my share of hardship — moments that tested my kindness and resilience. But those experiences taught me what success never could: that strength isn’t about never breaking. It’s about breaking open — and finding music, healing, and self-compassion in the pieces.
Music has become my therapy — a way to release the things I once buried. Through lyrics and melody, I’ve learned to feel again, to share again, and to trust that vulnerability is not weakness — it’s art.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I don’t believe in separating my public and private selves — only in highlighting different facets. Like a diamond, we all shine from many angles. Authenticity is the core of everything I do. It’s too exhausting to be someone I’m not, and quite frankly, life’s too short for that.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I believe in the power of words — how they can heal, uplift, or harm. Words are energy. As artists, it’s our responsibility to use them intentionally. Whether through lyrics, conversations, or simple acts of kindness, our words shape the world around us.
But words alone aren’t enough. They must align with our actions. When what we say and what we do are in harmony, we live in integrity — and that alignment is where real magic happens.
I’m not perfect at it. No one is. But every day, I try to grow, to learn, and to use my words and music to be a light.
Whether it be through podcasting, singing or educating fellow artists, my voice is my God-given gift to share with the world in ways that inspire and transcend.
Your dreams don’t disappear — they just wait patiently for you to be ready. For me, that dream has always been music. And now, I’m finally ready to sing again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amplifyedm.com
- Instagram: @amplifyedm @thekaycote
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylacote/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplifyedm/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ampedcast
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kayla-cot
- Other: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ampedcast-edm-culture-community-and-artist-stories/id1730253192
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67DInYvw0xC6oMgntWgLkR?si=cc211e3b98ba4cde
Image Credits
Vivvid Imagery
