Every artist has a story, but some stories reach beyond music itself. Katie Runnels is one of those artists. She doesn’t just write songs—she writes roadmaps for healing, self-discovery, and resilience.
Runnels first appeared on the scene in 2010 with her debut album Reality Cloud, a folk-rock record that carried the intimacy of a diary set to melody. Even then, her voice – soulful, unvarnished, and deeply human – hinted at something more than entertainment. It was music as an invitation: to pause, to feel, to reflect.
Fifteen years later, Katie Runnels has returned with “Imperfect Beauty,” a new single that’s less about perfection and more about permission. The track drifts between ambient textures and raw emotion, creating space for listeners to sit with their own scars. But this release is more than just another song—it’s the beginning of a movement.
Through her new Imperfect Beauty platform, Runnels is building bridges between music, education, and advocacy. The project offers body-positive campaigns, mental health resources, and educational tools, reflecting her twenty years of experience as a teacher and advocate for young people, especially those navigating ADHD and self-doubt. It’s a rare moment when an artist’s personal mission and creative output align so seamlessly.
“I don’t want to make music that hides behind polish,” Runnels shares. “I want it to be honest. To meet people where they are.”
And that honesty is her signature. Whether through the storytelling roots of Reality Cloud or the ethereal openness of Imperfect Beauty, Katie Runnels’ music is built on the belief that imperfection is not something to erase—it’s something to celebrate.
Katie Runnels reminds us that the cracks are where the light gets in.