Singer-songwriter and actress Kara Connolly dyed her hair bold, copper red to take back her power after years of entertainment industry mistreatment and feeling typecast and misunderstood. In part one of their two-part episode, Elke and Kara discuss stepping outside of stereotypes (with the help of some hair dye), going through the audition ringer, and the behind-the-scenes of being creatives.

FOLLOW KARA CONNOLLY
Instagram: @karaconnolly
TikTok: @karaconnollymusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/karaconnolly
Kara Connolly is an award-nominated actress and singer-songwriter found on the 2020 and 2025 Grammy ballots with music featured in Lionsgate films, IKEA commercials, ABC ads, Showtime, Netflix, and HBO shows, as well as tastemaker publications such as SPIN Magazine, Billboard Argentina, Rolling Stone India, Wonderland Magazine, and more. She's been nominated for three Hollywood Music in Media Awards, was one of Music Connection Magazine's Top Unsigned Artists of the Year, and was just invited to join the prestigious Recording Academy as member of their "Class of 2025." Most recently, you can check out K-Pop sensation ILLIT's (pronounced eye-lit) new mini-album, "bomb," in which Kara co-wrote the playful track "oops!" and you can catch Kara acting in the kid's series, "Hedgehog Land," which was nominated for a 2025 Children's and Family Emmy Award. Kara's latest album "California Queen" is a cathartic alt-pop record centered around self-discovery and when she's not selling out iconic venues like the Hotel Cafe, Peppermint Club, and Troubadour, she is a passionate storyteller, lifelong animal advocate, and undercover hippie.

FOLLOW BANGING IT OUT + ELKE THOMS
Instagram: @bangingitoutpod + @elkethoms
TikTok: @elkethoms

BANGING IT OUT CREDITS
Created and Produced by Elke Thoms
Music by Chloe Grace Kinnon and Austin Luther
Art by Nat Jean
Art Photography by Stephanie Girard