Catey Shaw – New Day

By starrymag | March 30, 2018

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It’s hard to pin down because I feel like I’ve evolved so much since I started out. My first EP was so centered around the ukulele. Then, I got really deep into a more straight-down-the-middle pop space for the Brooklyn Since then things have slowly shifted back to a bit more of an organic approach, though we are not ones to shy away from a good synth.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I got into music/wanting to write in the myspace era listening to Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson. I grew up being obsessed with disco though. My co-writer and collaborator, Jay Levine, is really influenced by The Cure and like, 80s brit-pop. We meet in the middle in a really interesting space I think that suits us both.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “New Day.”

 

A) We’re working on a concept album (with the intention of making it a musical) about the Austrian expressionist painter Egon Schiele’s main subject and lover, Wally Neuzil. Egon’s greatest works were of Wally and she was an invaluable part of his career. “New Day” is written from the point of view of Edith Schiele, (Egon Schiele’s wife) as she attempts to shut down his affair with his mistress and muse.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans will connect to?

 

A) I think it’s really relatable – that feeling of defensiveness when someone is infiltrating your relationship. Or any situation where you’re telling someone to back off.

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It all happens simultaneously usually, though for this project a lot of the lyrics are coming first, then being reworked and adjusted to fit the music.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) Jay Levine is the real maestro in that department. I am there every step of the way, pointing out what I like and don’t like. We sit at the computer together for the writing process and get the bones down that way. Then, when I’m not around, he takes the tracks and builds them up to a whole other level.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Catey Shaw performance?

 

A) A good fucking time.

 

Q) Can fans expect an EP or full album from you in the near future?

A) This is definitely a piece of a larger puzzle. They can look forward to a full length album on this story, titled Wally.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from your music?

 

A) I hope they can get lost in the story of it all and find a place in it that relates back to their own stories.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Living in LA now, I don’t know too many spots! I used to frequent Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn and a bunch of other venues like that. Hopefully, this new music will allow me the chance to find some new homes on the west coast.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Well, there’s the obvious huge stars that in a dream world I could write with like Pharrell, Charlie XCX and Bruno Mars. But, honestly, I’m very happy isolated in my little writing room in Eagle Rock with Jay.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) My son was born in August of last year. He’s seven months old now and to tell you the truth I have been listening to the same baby playlist since he was born. Well, before he was born, actually. We have this selection we would play to my belly and we played when he was a newborn and now they just really bring him comfort. No one gets him to stop crying as quickly as Bobby McFerrin.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) As an indie artist I don’t really have a choice. If I weren’t an artist I don’t think I would be on so many social media platforms. I’m not the best at it. But it’s really nice to be able to connect in such a direct way with fans. To see comments from people all over the world is really inspiring so I’m thankful for that.

 

A) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) THANK YOU and stay tuned

 

 

CHECK OUT THE PREMIERE OF SINGLE “NEW DAY”