If you haven’t heard of Erin Kirby yet, get ready to become a fan.

At only 17 years old, the rising pop star from Atlanta has already accomplished so much. From performing and placing in the top three of Showtime at the Apollo with Steve Harvey at the age of 14, to competing and making it to Hollywood on American Idol at 16, Kirby has already begun crafting her career as a musician and is well on the rise to becoming a household name.

And after releasing four singles in 2020, as well as her latest release “Bad Luck,” which dropped at the start of this month, Kirby is continually working on writing, recording and releasing new music- gaining a steady listener base as each new track comes out.

But now the question is what is next?

We had a chance to chat with Kirby about her recent releases, plans for the rest of 2021, and what advice she has for fans who are struggling with the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can read our full interview below, and be sure to stream “Bad Luck” featuring Zac Lawson, out now.

Second Society Report: First, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. I know there is a lot going on right now in the world so I wanted to start by just checking in- seeing how you’ve been?

Erin Kirby: Thank you so much for reaching out! I am doing pretty great! I have been very blessed and I am still able to work from home!

Second Society Report: Now regarding your music- for readers who have not yet listened to your music (though they should!) how would you describe your sound?

Erin Kirby: I like to say that my style is similar to a female version of James Arthur or Lewis Capaldi. I try to write relatable, emotional lyrics that anyone can listen to!

Second Society Report: You’ve just released your new single “Bad Luck,” featuring Zac Lawson. How did this collaboration come to be?

Erin Kirby: “Bad Luck” was written over FaceTime back in September of 2020! This song came together very smoothly and the writing process was a lot of fun.

Second Society Report: I know the track talks a lot about questioning your feelings and exploring who is to blame in certain situations or relationships. What was the inspiration behind the song?

Erin Kirby: This song is all about being stuck in a toxic relationship. Everyone has had a toxic person stuck in their life. These people are extremely hard to get rid of because you love them but they bring you down. “Bad Luck” is all about letting go and moving on!

Second Society Report: When you are writing new music do you find it’s easier to base tracks off of your own experiences or to create fictional situations?

Erin Kirby: I generally write about fictional situations or stories that my friends have told me.

Second Society Report: You were both a contestant on American Idol and a top three finalist on Showtime at the Apollo. Beyond exposure, how do you think these experiences shaped your career or goals as a singer/songwriter?

Erin Kirby: I have grown so much as an artist since I competed on both of these shows. American Idol helped me understand who I am as an artist and which lane I want to go down. Since the show I have written tons of songs that I am extremely excited to release. 

Second Society Report: 2020 was a weird year for us all but you still managed to release 6 new tracks throughout the year. What can we expect from Erin Kirby in 2021?

Erin Kirby: I will be releasing a few more singles this year, an EP, and possibly a podcast!

Second Society Report: I know this is a difficult question given anything can happen but in an ideal world-  where do you hope to be in five years from now?

Erin Kirby: If covid goes away then I see myself as a touring artist that is healing people through her music. I see myself helping many different charities and starting my rescue farm.

Second Society Report: Are there any words of advice you’d like to share with fans or readers in general who may be having a hard time now going on nearly a year of no live music?

Erin Kirby: GET CREATIVE!! Maybe you cannot perform music or go to live  concerts but maybe you can go live on social media or hold a FaceTime  karaoke night with your friends. Quarantine gets hard but make it fun and get creative!

Second Society Report: Anything we haven’t asked that you’d like to share?

Erin Kirby: Not that I can think of! Thank you so much for having me and if any reader would like to follow my journey, my handle is the same for every platform! 🙂 @erinkirbymusic

You can stream “Bad Luck,” out now, and be sure to follow along on social media for updates on all things new music and Erin Kirby.

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