At age 17, high school senior Kaitlyn DiBenedetto, aka Just Kait, had her track La La (Start Me Up) featured in the season finale of MTV's The Real World: Cancun. Check out our Q&A with this cool rocker chick!
Did you play any instruments when you were younger?
- Just Kai: I grew up around my dad who played drums so around 4 years old I started playing drums too. That was kinda what started it all.
When did you start performing live?
- Just Kai: By the time I was 12, I had learned guitar and had written some songs so I asked my parents if they could take me to local open mic nights around the area. So from 12 on is when I started playing for people.
How did you catch the attention of MTV?
- Just Kai: MTV was holding a contest for a new theme song for their show Parental Control so when I heard about it, I contacted my producer and told him I HAD to do it because I had nothing to lose. Sure enough they picked my recreation of it!
How would you describe your music/sound?
- Just Kai: I would say my sound is pop/rock. It's got the poppy sound but it's also got pretty sick guitar parts that bring out the rock and roll in me so I like to say it's a little bit of both.
Why do you call yourself “Just Kait”?
- Just Kai: On my album, I recorded guitar, bass and drums all on my own so its 'just' me, it's 'just kait' playing on it which kind of makes me unique. It's also just a name that I feel separates me from all the solo acts that just use their names'. It gets you thinking!
What is the best/worst thing about touring?
- Just Kai: The best part about touring is seeing the different places and comparing it to where you live. Ive never traveled this much before and I gained a bigger appreciation of my town ever since I've started seeing new places. My least favorite part is just being away from my family and friends so much. It's pretty rough sometimes.
Who do you look up to musically?
- Just Kai: Musically, I grew up listening to the new punk-rock stuff so Good Charlotte, Mest, New Found Glory, Sum 41 and some Blink 182, were always playing.
Who is the No. 1 person you’d like to meet?
- Just Kai: Hayley Williams is the one female I really really look up to but I've met her a few times already but I think it would be awesome to meet Gwen Stefani. She's another female that we don't give enough credit sometimes but she seems so awesome and I'd love to meet her.
Where will you take your music/career in the future?
- Just Kai: Only time will tell but I hope to constantly be touring, inspiring kids and just people in general to do what they love. I want to be living proof that things like this are possible so I want to meet a lot of people, and get my music out there as much as I can.
What advice would you give to kids who want to make it in the music industry?
- Just Kai: It sounds really cliche but it's true; Follow your heart. Do what you love and do it honestly because if you don't take the chance, and you're not whole-heartedly into it then it becomes more of a job when it shouldn't. Don't lose hope, that's all.
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