Interview by Katie Hinderer, Web Editor

RelateMag.com is always on the lookout for chicks who are really working hard at their life goals. We stumbled across Krista Nicole on YouTube performing a Taylor Swift cover and of course couldn’t resist listening. Sure, there are hundreds of artists out there covering Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. And true, a lot of them all sound the same, but Krista is in a league all her own. And she’s only 14!! (She’ll be turning 15 in June.) She’s got the support of her guitar-playing dad and the two of them are taking YouTube by storm.

We asked Krista to tell us about her dream of being a singer one day and the process of getting there. Here’s what she had to say:

RelateMag: How long have you been singing?

Krista: I have been singing for as long as I can remember! Before I could even talk I was standing in my crib, humming to the rock and roll 90′s playing on the radio! Singing has just always been a passion of mine. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember and I want to continue singing until the day I die!

RelateMag: When did you start putting your songs on YouTube? What has the response been like?

Krista: I began using YouTube as a way to show my friend who lived in another state some of my music! She posted videos of herself dancing, and I thought it was really cool. So, I posted my first video and people began commenting! I had never used YouTube before, but I thought it was really neat that people I didn’t even know were watching my videos and enjoying what they heard! It gave me a great feeling. Then some of the comments said “Why don’t you post more?” I felt a sense of achievement and really wanted to impress them with new stuff. That’s how I started posting and I actually owe it all to my friend Rachel from Washington!

RelateMag: What are some of your favorite songs to sing?

Krista: Anything that challenges me. It makes me more goal oriented and I strive to be the best I can be with difficult songs! Also Taylor Swift songs because I really feel like I can relate to so much of her stuff! She’s so down to earth and her music lyrics are very straight forward – It almost makes you feel like the song was written for YOU. It’s nice to know people are going through the same things you do, and letting out your emotions always makes you feel better! (For me, especially through song.) When something is already written, and not only do you sing it, but you FEEL it, it’s real. It’s deep and it is just an awesome feeling.

RelateMag: Do you perform anywhere, besides YouTube?

Krista: During the summer I do! I perform live at fair shows between the months of July and August. It’s a lot of fun to go and sing for people who have never heard you before and talking to the audience afterwards is also very cool. Last summer I only did three shows, but I’m hoping that this year I’ll be able to do a few more. I really enjoy getting on stage and sharing what I do, so hopefully I’ll get to do more of that!

RelateMag: Do you take music lessons?

Krista: I actually just began taking lessons a few weeks ago! It’s amazing how much just a couple lessons can change the way you sing! It’s opened my eyes a lot. I’m realizing that I can do so much more than I originally thought. They’re so much fun, and I’m surprised I didn’t pick them up sooner! And if you’re considering being a musician as a profession, I would definitely recommend them. No matter how good you are! There’s always room for improvement, and technique is key.

RelateMag: Who’s your role model?

Krista: Juliet Simms from Automatic Loveletter. She has one of the most unique voices I’ve ever heard and has great range with very strong vocals to back it up. Her style is very different and she leaves me wanting more. I think in music, uniqueness is something that’s very important and she definitely has that quality in her music.

RelateMag: What singers/band are your favorite?

Krista: Way too many to name! But some of them are Jason Mraz, The Maine, Mayday Parade, Sublime, Automatic Loveletter, and Taylor Swift. I like all types of music, and all genres. Style and tune is important to me, but so are lyrics. Anyone can make up a good beat or melody, but if the lyrics don’t mean anything, neither does the song. And I feel like all the bands/artists that I named have great wordplay in their songs and a great sound! I listen to different kinds of music depending on what mood I’m in. If I’m mad at some boy who just broke my heart, I listen to Taylor Swift. If I’m in a relaxing mood and just want to chill at home on Myspace, Sublime or Jason Mraz is the way to go! Music is such a great way of expression and has a lot of control over how I feel.

RelateMag: Dreaming big – where do you want to be in 10 years?

Krista: In ten years I want to be on a huge stage with fans’ hands wiggling at my feet! :) Or accepting an award for “Best Artist Of The Year”.

Singing and performing is one of the ONLY things I can imagine myself doing with my life. It’s what I live, dream and breathe. It’s all I want to do, and I will do anything in my power to achieve it.

We can’t get enough of Krista. Is it wrong of us to say she sings some of these songs better than the original artist? To see the rest of her videos check out her YouTube account!! Or check out her website.

Tags: music