Kat Harlton
Lead Photo: Kenzie Maroney
Karly Kriski is an emerging singer-songwriter whose heartfelt approach to storytelling is quickly earning attention within Canada’s independent music scene. Drawing from contemporary pop, folk, and country influences, Kriski crafts songs that are both emotionally resonant and deeply personal, balancing vulnerability with strength. With a growing catalogue of compelling releases, Kriski continues to establish herself as a captivating voice and promising talent to watch.
I had the opportunity to chat with Karly about her latest single, what she hope fans connect with and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your latest single “Happy Hour After You”?
Karly: Like a lot of girls, I’ve definitely experienced feeling sad and heartbroken after a breakup, and I know a lot of my friends have too. With this song, I wanted to put a more fun, positive spin on that experience and look at the bright side of moving on. It was definitely inspired by both my own experiences and watching a bunch of my friends go through similar breakups, too.
I wanted “Happy Hour After You” to feel like that moment where you stop romanticizing the relationship, start laughing again, and realize life can actually become a whole lot more fun and peaceful on the other side of it.
Kat: What do you hope fans take from the single?
Karly: I hope fans take away a sense of freedom and lightness from the song. I want it to remind people that heartbreak isn’t the end of the world, and sometimes the best things can come from finally letting go of something that wasn’t meant for you. More than anything, I hope it makes people appreciate their close friends, have fun, sing along at the top of their lungs, and maybe feel a little more hopeful and confident moving forward, that everything happens for a reason.
Kat: What do you find is the most challenging part of your creative process?
Karly: I think the most challenging part of the creative process for me is probably not overthinking. When you care so much about songwriting, it’s easy to keep rewriting things over and over, trying to make every lyric perfect. But sometimes the best songs are the simplest and most honest ones.
I’ve also learned that creativity really comes in waves. Some days, ideas flow naturally, and other days you have to be patient and trust the process a little more. Usually, my best songs come from real-life experiences and conversations that happen naturally, rather than trying to force an idea.
Kat: What has been a career highlight for you so far? What have you learned along the way?
Karly: One of the biggest highlights for me so far has definitely been getting to perform at Whiskey Jam in Nashville earlier this year. As someone who grew up loving country music, getting the chance to play a stage that so many incredible artists have played was a really special moment for me. Playing the Cloverdale Rodeo back home in Vancouver was also a huge full-circle moment.
Along the way, I think I’ve learned that this industry is really all about consistency, relationships, and staying true to who you are as an artist. It’s easy to compare yourself to other people or feel pressure to rush things, but I’m learning that building something genuine takes time, and that’s okay.
Connect With Karly:
https://www.instagram.com/karlykryski/?hl=en