Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you grew up?
Well, to start off with, my name is Kathy D. I was born and raised in Miami, FL and I am proud to be a descendant of Peruvian immigrants, as both of my parents are from Peru. I moved out of my parent’s house at the age of 19 years old and relocated to Broward County to pursue a degree in Nursing. I became a Registered Nurse at 24 years old, and I have been working as a Telemetry Nurse for approximately 10 years now. I am also currently the keyboardist for the local goth/ post punk band, Obsidian.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I’ve always been drawn to music, going back to my early teenage years. I remember pretending to perform concertos in front of a mirror and just having fun with it. Guitar was actually the first instrument I started learning but only took a couple of private lessons. Around the age of 14, I was introduced to the genre of Symphonic Metal and discovered the band Nightwish. I was fascinated by the band’s combination of orchestral arrangements, choir/ operatic vocals and keyboards. It eventually inspired me to learn keyboard as well. As I got older, life took me in a different direction. I focused on adulthood and building my career as a nurse. A difficult period in my personal life years later, particularly a heartbreak, became my reason for reconnecting with music again.
When did you realize that music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
I joined the band Obsidian in 2019 while I was finishing my undergraduate degree. At the same time, I was going through a difficult breakup after a long-term relationship. That made me realize that music was more than only something I enjoyed listening to but something I needed to express myself emotionally. I started spending more time creating, performing, and developing my own sounds. Music had become not just a hobby for me anymore but a part of who I was becoming and who I am now. Looking back, that experience taught me a lot about resilience and self-discovery. I took a difficult chapter of my life and turned it into something creative and productive.
How has being a first-generation American influenced your perspective or artistic work?
It has given me perspective that is shaped by both my family’s cultural background and the environment I grew up in. I think that shows up in my artistic work because I’m drawn to blending different sounds, emotions and influences.
In what ways, if any, has being part of the LGBTQ+ community shaped your creative voice?
Being part of the LGBTQ+ community has given me a deeper appreciation for individuality and for creating spaces where people feel comfortable being their authentic selves. With Obsidian, I want our music to create that same feeling for people —a space where they can express themselves, feel understood, and not feel like they have to fit into a certain mold.
Can you describe a song or project that is especially meaningful to you and share the story behind it?
Our song “Memories” would be the most meaningful song to me. It’s in memoriam to one of friends that passed away unexpectedly. When I was composing the song, I wanted it to have a simple bassline and be more keyboard focused. I used the strings keyboard patch to create a sense of sadness, loneliness and grief. I also hold this song in a very special place in my heart because it brought back a lot of memories of when I lost my late brother. So, for many years when performing this song live, I would become emotional. My head would rush with so many memories, and I would get really sad on stage and even tear up while performing.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your artistic career?
Balancing music with the responsibilities of adult life and my career as a nurse was and is the biggest challenge. There have been many periods where work required most of my attention, and music had to take a back seat. As a nurse, I worked the front lines during COVID, which was an incredibly demanding and emotionally challenging period. My focus at that time was caring for patients and supporting people through one the most difficult moments in their lives.
Have there been moments when you questioned your music career path? What helped you continue?
Absolutely! There have been times when I’ve questioned whether pursuing music was even realistic. Balancing everything that’s going on in life can be difficult sometimes. Also, working with a group isn’t always easy. There can be disagreements, strong personalities, and times when everyone has a different vision for what they want. What has kept me going was that special feeling of creating together, working towards something we all believe in and the genuine love for music.
How do you hope people feel when they experience your music?
I want people to feel connected. To remind them that even in their darkest or difficult moments, they’re not alone. I want them to get lost in our music and have a moment of escape. I love looking out in the crowd and seeing that we can provide a space where they can be themselves. What’s really special is that people don’t realize they provide that same safe space back to us by simply letting us perform. We make each other better! As I am ending this interview, I want to remind everyone who has supported us over the years and those who will one day see us live for the first time—That without them all, we are NOTHING.
Photography by Roberto Badillo.