 Credit: Sam Nichols
Two years ago, singer-songwriter Kate Grom was torn between practicality and being her true self. She had graduated college and was pursuing her dreams in New York, but in her soul there was a restlessness she couldn’t ignore. So the young artist went to France and embraced her musical gifts. Kate now comes forth with the aptly titled, Heroine, a poetic collection that is bold and vulnerable. Here, Grom answers her Essential 8 and talks songwriting, touring tips and more.
With "Lose My Mind," what was the “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? “Lose My Mind” I knew the song was approaching the point of completion in the studio but that we were not 100% there. I remember we were working on the instrumental bridge (at 1:51) and Brian (drummer) had been trying out different things with the percussion. I remember we needed more of an emotional connection from the chorus into the bridge. When he played the way (on the record) that he leads us into that bridge, and keeps the momentum going strong throughout, while building, then taking us out of that bridge…he played that one time and I knew that was the missing piece. And that we had to get it recorded immediately. What’s the story behind your album’s title? Heroine is inspired by a Nora Ephron quote, “Above all be the heroine of your life and not the victim.” Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? Many things. Stories of others, my own stories, imaginations, poetry, literature, experience, nature and landscape… When/where do you do your best writing? I am super introverted with my creative process and the development of songs. So being out in our old farmhouse in the country, tucked away by the fire or at my writing desk, is my favorite place to create. Because I have traveled so much and lived so many multi-city-lives, nothing is better than coming back to yourself and the comfort of home when creating authentic music from the heart. It has always allowed me to look at experiences and stories from a distance, thus writing them more clearly.
Do you have any touring tips?
Build in days of rest between shows and drives, if you can. There is nothing worse than blowing out your voice from over-use, or getting sick from lack of sleep/personal care, while on the road, and having an entire stretch of shows in front of you! If you have an introverted side, find solitude. It can be draining personally and to bandmates to always be “on” for days on end. Quiet and alone time are re-energizing and inspiring! For the singer, cut alcohol, coffee, dairy, sugar if you can. I learned this from Heather Nova & Mishka on my first tour opening for them, and it has helped me tremendously vocally and physically. How do you kill the long hours in the van? Podcasts are my jam. Who would you love to collaborate with? I love collaborating with Stephanie Lambring and Ruston Kelly in Nashville. I wrote with them in 2016 and they are incredibly intuitive and talented. Which song of yours gets the best crowd response? “Whiskey Eyes” and “Whistle Cry” For more information visit Website Purchase
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |