With one of the boldest, brashest, turn-your-day-around vocals in modern music, you might think Katie Kadan has always had the self-confident strut her tunes inspire. In fact, her truth is the opposite – but you’ve gotta start somewhere, and now? Things have turned around.

A classically-inspired soul diva for a brand new age, sharing her growth toward self respect through the empowering joy of music has become Kadan’s calling – her sense of purpose. And with a self-titled debut full of earth-shaking, confidence-building “bombers,” she’s ready to bring others with her.

“There’s always room for growth, I’ll tell you that much – and that’s what’s exciting about life,” the Chicago native says. “No matter what the struggle is, no matter what life gives you or the curve balls or disappointments, if you find your purpose and stay true to it, there’s reward in that.”

A born entertainer and the youngest of four in a church-centered, deeply-musical family, it took Kadan her whole life to find her purpose. But now that she has, it seems almost inevitable. Praising her “big, loud family,” the vocal phenom learned to harmonize as soon as she could talk, and delivered her first performance in front of her church congregation at 3 years old. Homeschooled by a songwriting mother who loved the ‘60s folk revival, and with a father who’s taste kept Otis Redding, James Brown and the giants of soul on repeat, music was embedded in Kadan’s daily life – so deep that when she couldn’t concentrate on her studies, the fix was to play some piano and quiet her mind.

Obviously talented, her parents helped a teenaged Kadan join one of Chicago’s top choirs, and they even scraped enough money together to send her to conservatory. But feeling like she had no shot at a career, she dropped out, taking odd jobs and teaching vocal lessons instead. “I was unhappy,” she admits now. “That’s not what I wanted to do, but I had no idea how to get into the music business. And honestly, I didn’t think I would have a place … because I’m a fat lady.”

Needing some joy in her life, Kadan knew where to turn. She found her way to the female owned and operated Underground Wonder Bar, and got herself a life-changing gig. Thrilling local crowds with her dynamic voice – an explosive, all natural mix of raspy soul and gospel power – she made a point to go her own way, performing original songs right from her first night … and people took notice. A producer from NBC’s The Voice soon got in touch, but still feeling unworthy, Kadan turned them down.

“I didn’t want to do it. I thought, it’s kind of a sellout,” she says with a laugh. “I was going to go back to school actually, because I was tired of the hustle. I was going to go for psychology, and I’m like, ‘Music to me is the healer. And if I can’t be a singer, I’ve got to help people in a different way.’”

Eventually, though, Kadan changed her mind. Determined to give herself just one chance – and feeling like she had nothing to lose – she showed up for The Voice and stood out immediately, taking third place on Season 17 in 2019. Impressing judges and fans alike with her big style, big voice, and ability to leave her heart on the stage each night, Kadan’s joyful personality and clear comfort in her own skin tore through countless stereotypes. She became an inspiration to millions.

“It was the perfect time in my life,” she says. And that time is not over yet.

After enduring the pandemic and moving to Nashville, careful creative growth has led to a brand new chapter for the emerging star, with a self-titled EP ready to introduce this purpose-driven talent. Featuring six fresh tracks – all written by Kadan, including two solo writes – it’s a soul-driven masterclass of vocal supremacy, studded with gospel power and empowering themes, as producer Johnny Reid helps Kadan present an over arching sense of possibility.

“It’s honest. It’s vulnerable. It’s also the unknown, too,” she says of the project. “I feel like it’s different layers of me from a wedding anthem to being strong and saying, ‘Hey, no matter what comes along, I’m going to go forward.’”

The EP’s debut single sets the tone, as “Without You” lets go of the hang ups holding too many women back. Pairing a rich swagger and almost-spiritual self-confidence with a propulsive rhythm and stadium-sized vocal, Kadan calls it her “women’s anthem” – a much needed message of freedom.

“For women, sometimes our relationships hold us back,” she explains. “You feel like you have to be that sweet little lovely lady in the background. And with this song, it’s like, ‘Hey, I’m going to move forward. You can come along with me on this journey, or not, but I’m going to keep on going.’”