Three years ago, Kimmi Bitter was finding her footing in the competitive San Diego music scene.
Today, the country singer-songwriter has emerged with the most nominations for the 2025 San Diego Music Awards.
Bitter’s debut album, Old School, has not only marked her entrance into the industry but also garnered her four nominations, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.
“I’m really thankful and grateful,” Bitter stated in an exclusive interview.
“I’m still kind of shocked about it, because three years ago, I wasn’t nominated for anything.”
Back in those challenging times, she and her boyfriend, fellow musician Willis Farnsworth, were living in a dilapidated van while trying to network within the local Country/Americana music community.
“It’s really cool to have so many nominations, and I’m really grateful,” she mentioned.
For Bitter, who has spent around 10 to 15 years trying to break into the music scene, this moment feels like a significant breakthrough.
“San Diego is my hometown, but it’s been kind of hard to break through musically,” she explained.
“It was a really hard scene for me to break into and kind of be accepted and recognized.”
After moving from San Jose to Oceanside before high school, Bitter has deeply rooted her musical aspirations in her early years.
“I’ve known since I was in third grade that I wanted to be a musician,” she disclosed.
Her childhood was heavily influenced by the music of ‘90s female country artists like Jewel, Martina McBride, and Faith Hill.
As she matured, her appreciation for music expanded to legendary figures such as Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash.
Old School showcases Bitter’s commitment to traditional sounds, contributing to a legacy of San Diego artists who draw inspiration from the past.
With artists like Thee Sacred Souls and Sun Room, she is part of a creative community infusing new life into nostalgic genres.
This year, she will compete for recognition alongside other talented acts at the San Diego Music Awards, taking place at Humphreys by the Bay at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Nominated alongside Bitter for Artist of the Year are Daring Greatly, the metal band Cattle Decapitation, soulful artist Anthony Cullins, and pop-infused groups such as Pierce the Veil.
Bitter’s music style has been labeled variously as classic Country, traditional Country, and Americana, but she prefers the term “Countrypolitan.”
“Countrypolitan is that era specifically in the late ‘50s and the first half of the ‘60s when they were trying to make Country music really relevant and popular,” she described.
The genre fuses ‘60s pop with traditional Country elements, evoking a sense of nostalgia that resonates deeply with her, despite not having lived through that time.
“I am just obsessed with it,” she admitted.
Finally accepting her artistic direction took years for Bitter.
“I feel like it’s always what I’ve wanted to be, but I didn’t really hone into it until my 30s,” she reflected.
Her passion for the retro style she loves has ultimately found a voice in her music, creating a unique sound that feels authentic to her identity.
In celebration of the nominations, Bitter, alongside fellow nominees Daring Greatly and Jesse Ray Smith, is set to perform at the Holding Company in Ocean Beach at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Tickets for the show are available for $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the event.
This weekend’s performance will not only showcase her talent but also mark a pivotal moment in her journey as a recognized artist in the San Diego music scene.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/04/24/kimmi-bitter-scene-most-nominated-artist-san-diego-music-awards/
