Page 4 - Black Velvet Issue 101

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A (Musical) Note From...

Finding Kate

riting music, planning a release, or- releas-ing new material until I was ready. I was get shit done and not rely on others. I will
Wganising shows, posting on social still playing shows and building connections admit, I do have a bit of a control problem be-
media, advertising, updating website, sending and growing as an artist. With my debut cause I don’t really trust a lot of people. I have
emails and trying to stay sane is all part of album, ‘If I Fall’, I didn’t write any of the music had experiences where deadlines are not met
being an independent artist... - I wrote some melodies here and there and and then I am the one running around and
It’s fun but very challenging and today I will then some lyrics. It was primarily Chris’ song- stressing trying to sort out 50 things. Slowly,
talk to you a little bit about myself and my ex- writing, alongside his production. Now I knew slowly, I am getting better and learning to trust
periences of being a solo artist who is self- it was time I share some of my material with people again. I have built a strong team of
funded. the world. I finally got to the point I was happy people around me which includes my creative
Hello, my name is Finding Kate. I am an enough with my music and melodies and after team, musicians, photographers, videogra-
Alternative/Rock solo artist based in London. filtering a lot of songs out, Chris and I came to phers, management, etc. and all of these peo-
I have just released my new song called ‘I a conclusion on which were the songs we ple really believe in me which is su-per
Feel Bad’ and today I am going to talk about would take to the next stage. I have so many important when collaborating.
some of the writing process behind it and a few demos ready, and another huge batch of There are so many bits and bobs you have
of the challenges I’ve faced along the way. songs which I haven’t even developed yet. It to think about when preparing for a release -
I had written that song about a year or so was quite refreshing to write so much material and that’s why smaller artists like myself make
ago. I started by writing the chorus and it is and actually be happy with it. mistakes along the way but at least we still
pretty much the same thing you hear now with There are certain songs I knew were spe- have the control we want to have. But the truth
one or two chord variations. I had some trouble cial when I first wrote them - like ‘I Feel Bad’, is, it is tough when you are unsigned and in-
coming up with the verse, though. One day, for example. Then self-doubt starts to cripple dependent because there is only so much you
Chris (my producer) and I were in my flat in in. Before releasing it I had a lot of fears for a can do alone. You have to work so hard to fi-
London going through my library of songs to- couple of months. Will my fans like it, will new nancially stay afloat, and making a profit at this
gether. I ended up pairing up a verse from an- fans like it? Is it good enough, am I good stage is very tricky. There is a stress to post
other song of mine to ‘I Feel Bad’’s chorus. It enough to succeed? And it’s not about suc- on social media, and advertise, and send
happened whilst Chris was playing the piano ceeding and becoming ‘famous’. For me, it’s emails, and push your material - but I’ve had
and messing around with the chords and I re- about moving forward and not staying station- to really compartmentalise what I am trying to
alised I was singing a verse I had written a few ary. I didn’t know what to expect after such a do, otherwise, I will go crazy.
months ago for another song that I didn't com- long break. So far, it seems people are enjoy- There are both positives and negatives to
plete. It was refreshing and strange to pair two ing the track but I still wake up every day and being unsigned and I am looking forward to
different songs together, but it worked (I think)! have that little fear in the back of my mind. seeing where the next chapter brings me!
It was quite tough coming out of the first All fears aside, over the years I realised Thank you for having me. :)
album, I took a two-and-a-half year break. I that no one will believe in me more than I do. Kate
didn’t take a break from writing music, I actu- No one will fight for me unless I fight for myself.
ally wrote a lot of music. I took a break from I also realised that most of the times, I have to Visit www.findingkatemusic.com for more info.

FINDING KATE