KALA FARNHAM – AN INTERVIEW WITH THE TALENTED SONGSTRESS

By Ralph Beauchamp

Kala Farnham is a New England organic singer/songwriter who has just released her new single entitled “Ancient Vessel” via Bigger Beast Records. Farnham‘s sound is one of pure empathy with a passion for the mystical. Her songs convey positive images by using elements of compassionate storytelling coupled with her fervor towards fairytales. Her music brings a fresh reinvented view of the traditional folk and Americana musical genres. Farnham breaks away from the norm in order to create something unique and singular. In addition, Kala Farnham has released several full length albums with the last being Your Spirit Is a Work Of Art.

Kala Farnham‘s voice is pure magic. Her vocals are light yet still carry an eclectic charge. She offers sympathetic glimpses into such timely topics such as mental illness and trauma. Farnham‘s music extends hope to the marginal in today’s society. She also feels the essential power of mother nature and the heavenly cosmos. Kala channels her emotive self into every song. Farnham leaves nothing hidden. Her benevolent essence is felt throughout her imaginative lyrics and tunes. She is truly a rare talent combining sublime songwriting with a devotion to the spiritual. Also, Kala serves as the 18th Connecticut State Troubadour which is a well deserved honor.

Kala Farnham was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.

AMP: What first got you into music?

KALA: Music was always part of the landscape of my childhood—I grew up in a musical household surrounded by instruments of all kinds and the records of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. Growing up in the country, I either found myself playing outdoors, reading books, or playing music. I fell in love with the creative process of storytelling and improvised music early on, and in my teens began writing songs as a way of processing the world around me. Music became a means of alchemy: transforming life experiences into something meaningful and beautiful.

AMP: How important is the storytelling aspect to your music?

KALA: Storytelling is at the heart of my songwriting. My childhood love of stories, combined with my background in social work and theater, opened my eyes to the transformative power of narrative. I’ve seen how stories can heal, connect, and spark change, reminding us we’re not alone. Whether I’m drawing from personal experience, history, mythology, or reinvented fairytales, I want my songs to take listeners on a journey that invites them to experience the world in a new light.

AMP: Can you give us a glimpse into your creative process?

KALA: I’ve approached creativity differently at various points in my life. These days I feel a little like a journalist—I’m always on the lookout for stories and experiences that leave a lasting impression. I keep a collection of notes, some ideas sitting for years before coming to life. I find the stories I keep returning to often offer a depth of wisdom that I want to carry with me wherever I go, and those are the stories that make their way into songs.

Lately, I try to capture the sensory experience of a story, painting a picture so vivid that it’s not only seen, but felt. Though my writing process begins with a lyrical focus, music often arrives in tandem; once the words are on the page, a soundtrack unveils itself.

AMP: Your music is very organic in nature. Do you feel there are positive outside influences flowing through your songs?

KALA: Absolutely. I feel like I’m often channeling something larger than myself—I feel like a student of life first, artist second. Music is the medium through which I honor my discoveries along the journey—whether it be ancestral wisdom, moments of growth, resilience, or reflections of our times. I spend a lot of time in the natural world and with animals, and both are incredible teachers.

My bookcase is overflowing, I’m constantly absorbing the stories of fellow creators. I’m also inspired by the people I meet through my work in music—there’s something sacred about being entrusted with other people’s stories. Lived and imaginative experiences are the first step of my creative process, and the music becomes an embodiment of that.

AMP: You just released your new single, “Ancient Vessel”, via Bigger Beast Records. Can you give us a little insight into the track?

KALA: The tune was inspired by an experience at a transformative retreat and my study of India’s tradition of Nada Yoga. The lyrics were scrawled down in one sitting after a meditation experience inviting conversation with the inner divine, and the song’s chant-like refrains were modeled after sound-based yogic mantra practices. The song is rooted in gratitude, asking us to honor the resilience of our body, intellect, heart, and spirit amidst life’s challenges.

Released for Women’s History Month, it also acknowledges the quiet thread of ancestry woven into our being—our bodies holding the echoes of our lineage, our intellect shaped by the lessons of those that came before us, and our spirits tethered to their courage and generational wisdom. Ultimately, “Ancient Vessel” is an invitation for us all to step into the wisdom of our own body, mind, and voice—so we might create a legacy that shapes a better future for generations to come.

AMP: Do you feel an artist has an inherent obligation to give back to the community at large?

KALA: Art serves many purposes, both personal and communal. I believe artists are uniquely positioned to reflect, question, and inspire. Artists are tasked with noticing and highlighting the extraordinary in the ordinary, embodying human stories in deeply visceral ways that can reach to the core of the human spirit. Music that starts as personal change can become a catalyst for social change. Think of the impact of cultural anthems like John Lennon’s “Imagine” or Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. Art isn’t just entertainment—it can be a service. Whether creating space for others’ voices to be heard or writing songs that challenge the status quo, artists have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the world.

AMP: You are currently the CT State Troubadour. How did that happen and what are some of your responsibilities?

KALA: It was truly an honor to be appointed Connecticut State Troubadour by the Office of the Arts. It’s a position dedicated to promoting cultural literacy and community engagement through music. Over the past three years, I’ve traveled the state, sharing musical programs at schools, libraries, cultural events, and state functions.

I also developed a sound meditation workshop fostering community healing through singing and sound, and expanded my work as a music educator, working with young artists to develop their craft and offering them the opportunity to perform alongside seasoned pros at a monthly songwriters’ round. The beauty of the State Troubadour is the creative freedom within the role: the Office of the Arts offers each artist the opportunity to tap into their unique vision and skillset to create and share musical programming with communities across the state.

AMP: Who were some of your early inspirations?

KALA: I grew up listening to an eclectic mix: my family’s Irish and American folk music, the classical piano composers I studied as a young pianist, and the Broadway music I immersed myself in as a young performer and music director. Each world left a lasting impact. From classical composers, I witnessed the power of a solo piano to create depth and emotion—Chopin could bring me to tears with a single melody, Rachmaninoff could shake the earth, Debussy transported me to an impressionistic dreamworld.

Folk and theater music, on the other hand, taught me the art of character sketch and storytelling, opening my eyes to how a well-crafted story could invite the listener into the shoes of another in a way that showed the world in a completely new light.

AMP: Do you have any interests outside of music? Any hobbies?

KALA: So many! The hardest part of my life has been deciding which passions not to pursue. Most of my non-musical time is spent outdoors. These days I split my time between music and working with animals, with a passion for training shelter dogs to help them transition successfully into forever homes. I grew up riding horses, and still ride whenever I’m able. I’m still an avid reader—drawn to short stories and fascinated by the science of music, sociology, healing arts, and philosophy. Animals, nature, and the works of fellow writers all inspire and recharge my creative well.

AMP: What’s next for Kala Farnham?

KALA: This year I’m releasing a series of singles that will eventually lead to a full album. “Ancient Vessel” is my first release in five years and the first in a series of songs written during my time as State Troubadour. The project began as collection of songs celebrating Connecticut trailblazers, and quickly branched out to exploring the inspirational stories of people that I learned about during my travels around the country. In the coming year I’ll be releasing songs celebrating women’s stories, reimagining fairytales, and offering reflections on healing and resilience.

I’m also working with Frank Viele to support artists through our community-driven label, Bigger Beast Records, and helping to coordinate regional music festivals in partnership with nonprofits. Additionally, I’m expanding my work bridging music and mental health, most recently developing a new interactive program in the healing arts. Ultimately, I hope to keep along on my mission to contribute to the artistic community in ways that heal, empower, and connect.