Katie Herzig – Moment of Bliss

By starrymag | April 16, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) The current fave seems to be dream pop. To me it’s ever evolving. Some pop, some singer songwriter, some alternative. Ugh genres. I’ve never felt comfortable in one.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Coldplay, Enya, Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Bon Iver

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Beat of Your Own.”

 

A) I wrote that with Trent Dabbs and my co-producer Cason Cooley. It’s a song basically about embracing your own authentic self really.

 

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

 

A) I think they like the feel and the uplifting feel it gives them and mixed with the lyrics. It’s always nice to find a song that feels good and has a message you probably need to be reminded of every so often.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) Any time I tried to get big or super creative with the video idea nothing felt quite right. So, I experimented with what I’d do if I was just basically getting my own dance on. I mean, I edited the video too so it’s also an exercise of my own expression and having fun with it. I didn’t take it too seriously but worked hard on it.

 

Q) Tell us the significance of the album title Moment of Bliss.

 

A) “Moment of Bliss” is the name of one of the songs on the album that struck a deep cord with me. I like many have found myself struggling with the addiction and clutter and onslaught of the modern-day technology and information and devices and screens we have all around us.  Basically, I think we can get addicted or deceived into thinking we need to always keep that stuff entertaining us. So, for me, the song and the challenge was to find a way through that clutter and get in the moment. Something that when we can achieve it, it is bliss, it’s also a moment where we can get out of our heads. And that is always a challenge for me, and a relief when I can.

 

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

 

A) I often will create both together and once I get a map of some vague lyrics and melody I often will leave the lyrics for a while and come back to them. I am often building a track as I am writing a song. Unless I am co-writing.

 

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

 

A) I am very hands on in production. I am a producer for myself and others and it is a part of the language I speak of music.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Katie Herzig performance?

 

A) Performing live for me is never a simple thing. So, I don’t tour often, but when I do I have to find a way for my songs to carry themselves live and that can be a challenge because production is such a part of the landscape of these songs. But I like the challenge of figuring it out. It’s just not a small challenge. I think it makes for a very interesting live show with some intimate and some epic.

 

Q) What songs off your Moment of Bliss album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) Honestly, I think the ones that will be easiest to pull off live! We shall see! “Feel Alive,” “Strangers,” “Me Without You…”

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your album as a whole?

 

A) I hope they will find songs to connect to and help them feel connected to something beautiful and big in the universe and I hope they will also connect personally.

 

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

 

A) I think it’s less about places I play and more about the experiences and memories I have there. I have toured many years of my life and the places that stick out to me are just memories and moments where it all seemed to flow and connect. Some have been in large theaters, some tiny clubs. There is no formula because they all feel different.

 

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

 

A) I’ve been collaborating with Ingrid Michaelson and RAC so I look forward to more of that potentially and who knows. There are so many people I’d love to collaborate with.

 

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

 

A) Misty Boyce just put out a new album called Get Lost and I’m super into it! Such warm sounds and production by Lera Lynn. So good. Check it out!

 

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

 

A) I would be so happy to not have to tend to social media in my life. For real. I find it very difficult having to tend to that and keep feeding that. But on the other hand, it is essential to what I do as an independent artist and it is a lifeline and a way to get out the word and connect with my fans. So, for that I am so grateful, but yeah it’s complicated. And I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that.

 

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

 

A) Thank you. Truly.  I’m lucky and grateful to get to do what I do.