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Behind The Lens: Kirsten Agresta Copely

  • Writer: Charles Luberisse
    Charles Luberisse
  • Jun 27
  • 3 min read

What's the most unexpected place you've found musical inspiration?

Wandering through the jungles of Costa Rica or exploring the Serengeti in Africa, my travels often inspire my music. I enjoy the different cultures, faces, and sounds that I experience when I’m in another part of the world and I get a lot of ideas when I’m  staring out of a plane window into the infinite skies.


What's your favorite anthem of all time?

King by Florence + The Machine is my favorite anthem because it’s fierce, feminine, and unapologetically sovereign—just like Kuruvinda. I actually played it live with the band at the Billboard Music Awards in Vegas, and feeling that lyric: ‘I am no mother, I am no bride, I am king’ resonating through the venue was unforgettable. It’s about reclaiming your power on your own terms, which is everything my album stands for.



What's your favorite song to perform live?

The Castelnuovo-Tedesco Concertino for Harp and Chamber Orchestra has been one of my favorites ever since I first learned it for the USA International Harp Competition back in the late ’80s. Since then, I’ve had the joy of performing it in Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw, with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and at the World Harp Congress in Seattle/Tacoma, among others. It’s a true thrill every time I step onstage to perform it.


How do you come up with new song titles?

My song titles often emerge from nature or poetry—they’re like little windows into the emotion of the piece. I tend to keep them simple, usually one or two words, and I’ll explore a few variations before landing on the one that truly fits. Some of my favorites are Glass Octopus, Message From The Trees, and most recently, “Kuruvinda”—the Sanskrit word for a flawed but radiant ruby, and the title track of my new album.



How do you choose which songs make it onto an album?

They often choose themselves. I write as many songs as I can and then start playing them back to back to feel the flow and which ones fit the theme and story I’m creating. It’s usually quite obvious which ones will make the cut!


What's your favorite collaboration you've done so far?

One of my favorite collaborations was with Kacey Musgraves. I was brought in to record a harp duet with her on a dreamy track that sadly didn’t make the Starcrossed album. When I arrived at the studio, there was this beautiful bed set up for a photo shoot—total country chic vibes. Kacey perched on the edge of it, looked right at me, and sang the song as I played. It felt like we were in a scene from a music video—completely magical and surreal! You can hear me on the title track to that album, though.


If you were a racecar, what brands would be sponsoring you? 

Picture a racecar that doesn’t roar—it glides. That’s me. And my sponsors would be all about grace and elegance. One of my sponsors would be Aveda – their commitment to natural beauty and calming sensory experiences aligns perfectly with the soothing energy of my music. Another sponsor would be Gaia – the streaming platform for mindfulness and spiritual exploration. My New Age compositions are made for that world: healing, introspective, and designed to help people slow down and reconnect.


Where can people connect with you and would you share an exclusive record with CEL? 

People can find my music everywhere you stream your tunes, as well as on Bandcamp and Soundcloud. Please connect with me on social media. I love meeting new people whether it’s online or in person.



 
 
 

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