A while back I met an extremely ambitious musician by the name of Kelly Kathleen. I took a minute to catch up with her and talk about the e.p. She recently recorded with Gus Seyffert of the black keys, the shows she has played with Patty Schemel from Hole and the way she is giving back to the music community.

You recently recorded your EP Gus Seyffert from The Black Keys, what was that like? Tell us about your gear?

Gus was amazing to work with. We wanted to go with a raw approach to the album so we recorded everyone at the same time in the same room, no over dubbing, no cut and pastes. We really didn't want to overthink anything. Each track was performed three times and whatever happened, happened. I played a Hagstrom F200P and a 1959 Fender Duo-Sonic through a vintage Fender Twin. I'm a huge fan of Hagstrom guitars and Fender Twins and Reverbs for recording. They have an amazing garage rock/surf tone to them.

You've been playing some dates with Patty Schemel from Hole, what has it been like working with her?

Its exciting. Her musicianship has helped shift the way people think of female drummers and how females think of themselves. Growing up, her records mattered to me and they still do. She's a great musician and friend.

I know you're heavily involved with charity work around LA but the one I found most interesting was your work with Girls Rock Camp. Tell us a little bit more about the camp.

Girls Rock Camp is a non profit social justice organization dedicated to empowering girls through music education. I stumbled upon GRCLA when I first moved to Los Angeles and wanted to be involved immediately. I didn't know anyone at the camp or many people in LA at that point but I took the risk and it's shaped my experience in the city and in the music industry dramatically. We work with amazing artists at the camp like Exene Cervanka (X), Sia, Lynda Perry, Nicole Fiorentino (The Smashing Pumpkins) and Sara Bareilles. Being part of GRCLA immediately made me feel less alone and less unusual. They accepted me as a rock guitarist with out the need for clarification. No one ever asked me if I played acoustic or classical when I said I what my instrument was. The stereotypes are left at the door during rock camp and it feels great to teach young female guitar players that they don't have to subscribe to that, they don't have to be normal.

So this past summer your band put together a whole festival at the Echoplex, who was on the bill? What was it like managing a festival?

Sasha Vallely and I curated last years Psych Out/Garage Rock Festival, Echoes West. We also headlined alongside David J of Bauhaus and The Flamin Groovies. Curating is an amazing and exhausting experience, but the line up and event turned out incredible.

I remember seeing you at NAMM 2014 performing for The ZVex booth. How did that relationship form?

ZVex has been a huge supporter of mine since they first heard our music. The company's creator Zachary Vex is a truly a mad scientist and goes above and beyond to build bizarre and beautiful pedals and take care of his artists. When we were offered the opportunity to play a set for their booth, we were honored to be a part of it.

Be sure to check out more about Kelly Kathleen http://www.mi.edu/student-life/success-stories/kelly-kathleen/