Wilk
Interviews
Kate Kay Es – Love Too Hard
By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) My sound is warm and textural. It’s pop music infused with soul, R&B and folk.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I grew up religiously listening to Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandros, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Joni Mitchell. Later influences include Erykah Badu, Sufjan Stevens, Feist and Bjork.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Love Too Hard.”
A) “Love Too Hard” is about the crash and burn of a dysfunctional relationship. It’s also about the wonderful and confrontational self-discovery you make at the end of a relationship.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think there are a lot of people who have felt at some point in their lives that they are giving more than they are getting in a relationship. And that right there is the message of this song.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) My songwriting process usually begins with all of the elements (melody, chords and lyrics) all at once. Sometimes songs write themselves and other times I have to leave them unfinished and come back to them later.
Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I produce my demos initially and then take them to a producer/collaborator to hone specific sounds and add or subtract elements to the track. I’m involved in the whole process and am lucky to work with really talented producers who have taught me a lot about sound design and all of the possibilities of recorded music.
Q) What can fans expect from a live Kate Kay Es performance?
A) Fans can expect an intimate and honest storytelling experience with a seven piece band, horns, synth and harmonies. They can expect to be taken on a journey of highs and lows, to dance and maybe cry too.
Q) What can fans expect from your forthcoming EP?
A) My forthcoming EP includes songs I’ve written about living abroad in New York, songs about loneliness, love, heartbreak and overcoming rejection. These songs are brought to life by beautifully talented musicians, exploratory production and textural soundscapes.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) One of my favorite places to perform is Rockwood Music Hall in NYC. This has been an amazing place over the past few years for me to develop my live show, to try different things out and most importantly to play to a room full of people who are listening intently and giving me warmth and energy.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) There are too many artists to choose from that I would love to collaborate with. But today I’ll say Sia – because we’re both from the same home town and she is a bad ass songwriter and singer.
Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I am currently listening to Bjork’s most recent album Utopia. Bjork writes powerful and highly emotional music with unparalleled production and stunning, intriguing sound design.
Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?
A) For me, social media is all about sharing ideas, music, art and performance with your community – however wide that community is. It’s a powerful tool to reach new people and it’s a tool for staying active and interested in what’s going on in the world today and tomorrow.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I would like to say a massive thank you to every one of my fans for listening to my music and for associating with it. To be able to connect with people, support, comfort, help conjure ideas, inspire or enlighten people with my music is honestly the greatest feeling in the world.
Catch Kate Kay Es Saturday, February 3rd at National Sawdust in Brooklyn, New York
“Love Too Hard”
“Working”
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