A Dirty Dozen with KATE KLEIN – September 2023

Photo credit: Matteo Bosonetto

According to a recent press release: “Emerging artist and musical force to be reckoned with Kate Klein is set to release her new single, “In my mind we are all insane” [STREAM] via FUGA on September 27th. Recorded and engineered by veteran producer Austin Seltzer (Royal and the Serpent, Maggie Lindemann, Beauty School Dropout), the new track blends pop sentiment with an alt-rock guitar-driven sound. Hard-hitting and bold-faced in its delivery, “In my mind we are all insane” makes a strong statement for Kate as a rising artist with staying power. “In my mind we are all insane” is a genre-defying dance anthem that explores the dizzying reality of life’s highs and lows—and celebrates them. With honesty and openness about her own day-to-day struggle to stay mentally healthy, Kate encourages listeners to find a sense of beauty amidst the chaos of life. By coupling a high-energy beat with a deeper message of resilience, the song perfectly captures the sentiment of turning pain into a party. Aided by her unique blend of pop and alternative rock as well as her larger-than-life personality, Kate Klein seeks to unite the “misfits” of the world with her music. ” We get Kate to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

‘’In my mind we’re all insane’’ is a Pop Rock Dance middle-finger anthem’ about life’s ups and downs. I wanted to write a song that encourages people to embrace the chaos that comes with life in the post pandemic era. In the lyrics there’s a reference to a one dollar deal I was offered once by a publisher. That story became a joke between me and my producer. We felt stuck in a remake of “Rock of Ages”! Overall, it’s a song that highlights the human condition. Everyone is chasing something: money, dreams, fame, Jesus. There’s a bit of insanity in all this, and we’re all insane in our own way. I don’t judge. My fans know that I’m a little bit nihilistic.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My mum used to play Shania Twain a lot at home. I got obsessed with her music and something inside clicked when I listened to “From This Moment.” Then a friend gave me a guitar for my birthday, and I fell madly in love. I used to skip school a lot to go and learn how to play the guitar at my neighbor’s house. I used to get in trouble all the time.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Apart from Shania Twain that shaped my childhood, I have a thing for Bob Dylan, Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar, and then bands like Sum 41, Hole and various metal-core bands. I’m also a sucker for Pop music. The first time I produced a song was a remake of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass.” I love writing pop music. It’s challenging. I love pop and I love heavy distortion.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Andrew Watt. He produced and co-wrote pretty much all my favorite songs, including the latest Post Malone’s album. I would also love to write a song with Good Charlotte.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like skateboarding, getting lost in some park in London and have a pint at The Dev, my fave local Rock bar in Camden Town. I also go to watch my friends’ gigs a lot.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

It’s Alt-Rock music with a pop feel to it. Pop melodies and catchy choruses are my thing. About comparisons: I get Avril Lavigne quite a lot, Miley Cyrus, Debbie Harry. I can’t cringe really, with such a name drop. They’re absolute icons.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m still performing on my own, with a guitarist. When I’ll find the official band members I’ll tell you!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Lana Del Rey’s concert in Hyde Park in London. The stage was built on a giant tree, and there was a sunset behind my shoulders. When she entered the stage I had a sort of Stendhal Moment, I was screaming like a psycho.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think connection is what I love the most. Sharing creative energy with people. Or that moment when you’re writing a song with someone, and you realize that it’s a hit and you’re like “shit!” If I were to become deaf, I’d probably go and save animals around the world.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

What’s my favorite dog breed? Gordon setter.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Oh my god yes, I missed a few opportunities. Generally I attract a lot of situations, but sometimes I don’t feel ready and I fuck it up. But on the other side not everything is meant to be. Once I left an after party at the recording studio with Nile Roger, because I had to go back to work (I was working at a bar at that time). Dumb.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

“Imagine” by John Lennon. That song has the power to shift the energy in the world.

KATE KLEIN LINKS:

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Category: Interviews