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There's a rising talent in Los Angeles. She's a fashionable, talkative Aussie, who also happens to be an amazingly gifted singer and songwriter. She's gaining popularity with her self-described "smart pop," which is quite possibly not what you would expect from a girl who grew up on opera and classic rock. Her story is equally as interesting, and she sat down with us to tell all. Here is, Katie Cole!
You started your career writing songs for other, more established artists. How old were you when you first started writing songs, and how did you get into it?
Well, I guess most artists will say “I have been singing all my life.” True. And I do actually have memories of being a small child walking around the back garden after climbing a tree swearing that I was writing an amazing song as I sang to myself. I don't think that counts as being professional though. My story began performing cover songs in pubs, clubs and restaurants from the age of 16. I was self taught in voice, guitar and piano. I think learning other people's songs first, really allowed me to be objective about what I was liking. I knew from the very start that I could hear what I believed made a song great, and I was able to deconstruct other people's “hit” songs and analyze it all.
I started writing songs for me when I was about 17. When crafting these songs I realized I had a huge passion for storytelling and melody. As an artist, I was still “marinating” and I think I knew it. There was and still is a duality of careers I juggle - the Artist and the Songwriter. I opted to take a small shift in direction style-wise and I started a pop/dance side project, this got some good traction immediately. And very quickly. The Australian music scene is connected as equally with what is trending in Europe as it is with what is trending in the USA. After high rotation on major radio in Australia, in 2002 my band was signed to Ministry of Sound in the UK. The sound was in the style of Cascada. We toured Australia with DJ's Ferry Corsten and Tall Paul and were released around the world. I wrote the songs. Many people still think I was just the singer. That band lead to other opportunities. I went on to write songs for 2 Girlz(USA, Germany, Japan), Gloria Gaynor(USA) and 2 Fabiola (Belgium). I was even flown over to Belgium to perform the Top Of The Pops show there. Dance music is easy for me, but I was still in need of a musical challenge. So, while I was doing all of this, I wrote and released my first Australian EP. I wanted more, and knew I had to somehow get myself over to the USA if it was going to happen for me as an artist.
How can you describe the feeling of being able to perform something that you made from start to finish?
It's kind of beyond description so I'm going to use odd metaphors. It's like watermelons exploding at a fashion show and the best French fries are being served with chocolate cake on the side. Like that, but better – and in need of fewer napkins. It's an amazing feeling to share a story and invite a new feeling/emotion into an audience. I've spent many years on the songwriting front, but many more as a performer - so being on stage for me is really easy. I feel at home. It's like everyone is in my lounge room, and somehow I never knew it was so big (or that I had that many friends for that matter). The truth is, I never know which live performances will be the best ones, so each show still surprises me. Sometime people will respond best to a brand new song. I really try to pay attention to what the audience is feeling and how they are responding. What you think is the best song live isn't always the best song of the night. There are always surprises on the stage and I look forward to them every time.
You moved to the US from Melbourne, and you're currently based in LA. How does the culture and music scene differ here from Australia? Did you feel like you fit right in, or do you think it took some getting used to?
I've spent most of my time in Los Angeles since I've been in America, but have spent time in Nashville, New York, Seattle, Wisconsin, Portland and San Francisco, LA is not just a different town, it's a different world. I literally jumped in head first into the music scene here. It's very different here in comparison to what it's like in Melbourne, but that was my reasoning in moving. Melbourne venues support a lot of rock and alternative bands, dance music clubs and folk and roots music. I felt that there was a lack of venues that support commercial pop, rock and singer/songwriter music. So it was a delightful change for me to arrive and find venues like Hotel Cafe, Room 5 and The Mint which are the venues I perform at now. In terms of “fitting in”, my accent doesn't allow for that, but I certainly go to meet many of the great local artists in LA, the buzz acts, bookers, promoters and so forth. I did this all in a relatively short amount of time. The best part about the not “fitting in” part, is that I'm usually remembered.
What was your initial reaction to being contacted by Howard Willing, acclaimed record producer?
It was all such a great experience. One that instilled a great level of faith back into my psyche. I had listed producer Howard Willing amongst a few other producer and songwriter names like Sheryl Crow and Producer Eric Rosse (turns out is Howard's close friend) on my website of “people I wanted to work with”. When Howard reached out to me, I didn't believe it at first. I mean, these stories don't really happen right? Wrong. It was him and after countless emails and numerous phone calls we began organizing my schedule to fly over to Los Angeles and begin the recording process.
Were you at all scared when you realized moving to the US would be the next step?
I flew over to the USA twice prior to me moving. Recording is a long process, but when I learned that the first trip I made to famous Henson Studios, Tracy Chapman and Michelle Branch were both there recording that day – I knew I was in the right place. After 2 trips equaling 7 weeks of recording whilst living at the Best Western Hotel, later that year (and after I cut through mountains of red tape and I obtained the appropriate VISA), I Kangaroo-hopped a one way flight to Los Angeles. I boarded with one guitar, a computer, 2 large and 2 small suitcases and landed with a mixture of excitement and jetlag. It was perfect.
How would you describe your musical style?
My music is smart pop. Mostly guitar driven songs in the footsteps of Liz Phair, KT Tunstall, Sam Phillips and Sheryl Crow. Great melodies, engaging stories and kick ass rhythms whenever possible.
If you could pick where you ended up next in your career, where would it be?
I just got my first play on BBC Radio so I have to consider that if my music takes off in the UK, that I may have to go there to promote it. That would be just fine. It's colder there, which triggers my need for wearing fashionable coats. In a business-sense, it's a much smaller market and a hit song travels faster there. There is less physical distance to cover. That would be one goal. I would also love to tour with a great act across America. A band like Carolina Liar, The Fray, Sara Bareilles, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, The Script. Anything like that would be amazing.
You play guitar (and what a lovely guitar it is) and sing. Are there any other talents you have that the world may not know about yet?
I can be really annoying and talk too much. Is that a talent? I play a little piano, a little bass, I can program drums and instruments in the studio and I can drink a lot of coffee. I draw; write poetry, I was quite good at painting when I was in high school too. I have a photographic memory for the most part, but lately it has needed a new roll of film.
In addition to music, you seem really interested in fashion. That Lloyd Klein dress was amazing! Tell us a little about your interest and experience with the fashion world.
One of the best things about Los Angeles is the connection to the fashion world. It's really not all that appropriate to wear a formal gown during a rock performance...so it's a welcome change to wear gorgeous pieces by great designers. I was asked to wear the “it” dress by Lloyd Klein at a fashion event in downtown LA called Designer and Muse. I also performed that night and Natalie Cole was in the audience. Nervous much? A little.
Here is a neat little story. I was touring in San Jose and accidently bought a pair of Nine West shoes when I was “just looking”. I tweeted this of course. I tweet everything. Nine West started following me and we struck up a great dialogue. They now support me. The internet -who knew. Another connection to the world of style was when I received an award from Movado watches. They are using my song “Gravity” in their current TV ad campaign, but flew me out to New York last December and put me up in a swanky hotel for a few days. They honored me with a ceremony and an award “Future Legend 2010”. I now wear my Movado Bold watch everywhere. For that event my friend Kristine Megrikian let me borrow some clothes from her line Tristan + Trista (which I love) to take to New York for that ceremony. A girl has to sparkle in front of the cameras. I have also worn clothes at a show from Boy meets Girl.
Los Angeles is a long way from Australia. Do you get to go home often, or has your family ever been here to see you perform?
No and No. I haven't been home for almost 2 years. It takes a lot of money to “live the dream”, and since that email listing that I won the Spanish lottery was not real, I am very careful with money. My VISA's cost a few pesos to maintain, but it's mainly the fact that I don't have the job I had in Australia here in the USA. It's a catch 22 situation really. I could go back to Australia and earn money, then come back to spend it. However, this means I disappear from the “scene” and my momentum I have been building (buzz and my live following) will dissipate. In the US, so many things happen randomly and without much notice. It's very difficult, almost impossible to be an artist if your market/target audience are in another country. It's the precise reason I moved.
If you could describe your perfect day, what would it be? What would you be wearing, where would you be going?
My perfect day is songwriting or being in the studio. I love being in the studio. I get to be a scientist and experiment. My producer, Howard, makes fun of my accent, but we generally work together really well. I would be lost without a pair of great boots, a dress or skinny jeans by Hudson, a funky hat and a scarf. I don't do “down fashion” days. I'm either ready to be seen or in pajamas. It's night and day with me. If I'm in the studio all day, I still want my voice to sound and “look” awesome. That makes sense to me. Well, confidence and style makes you feel stronger and more assertive as a performer.
What can we look forward to from you in the near future?
I recently launched a fundraising project to help me acquire the funds to record a new record. I surpassed my goal, so I am going to record a new EP and release it this year. Pat on the back for me and my fans. They are the best. I am now going through the process of working out which songs and planning to book studios like Sunset Sound (where Sara Bareilles records), East West studios and Sound Factory. Wherever I end up will be amazing. I am super excited. I recently returned from a long songwriting trip to Nashville, so I have plenty of songs.
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