Kate Clark – MUSICIAN

Kate Clark In Performance

1. Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Kate Clark and I’m a singer songwriter from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I’ve been writing and performing since high school. After college I performed with Bitter Delores a Pittsburgh based rock alternative band. Then, I went on to earn a degree in Music Ed. from Duquesne University. I’ve been writing all throughout and just recently released a 3 song EP called Raising the Black. I raised the money through a Kickstarter campaign and flew to Portland in March 2014 to work with Patrick Tetreault producer/engineer.

Kate’s recording keyboard.

2. Why music?
I discovered I had a gift for music in 5th grade when I started taking  piano lessons. Music has been the one thing that has gotten me through life allowing me to feel and share and celebrate with others. It is my favorite language, the only math I understand, the best way for you to see my true self and when I sing I feel whole and at peace.
 

3. What is your earliest memory of wanting to be involved in music?
From the moment i was born I loved music. I think listening to Pat Benatar in the late 70’s/early 80’s and listening to my Dad play guitar and sing to me really laid the seeds for my musical growth. I actually got to open up for Pat Benatar in 1998 and I think that was one of the biggest moments in my life really.

4. What are your favorite subject(s) and style(s)?
I have 2 great loves in music. Rock..mostly folk or indie rock and professional choirs. I am a Mezzo Soprano in the Pittsburgh Camerata and I enjoy so much getting to sing with uber professional voices. Choirs take me to somewhere else and i can’t really explain it but it’s a very moving experience for me.

Raising the Black – EP cover

5. How do you work and approach a new piece that you are working on?
Usually I either form some lyrics in my head and then I write music for the lyrics or I find a motive on the piano that I like and I just open up and listen to what comes to me and I can write some lyrics for it. I’m not a very prolific writer although doing my EP “Raising the Black”  put a fire under me to write more and I’m working on 3 songs now!

 
6. What are your favorite musician(s), singer(s)?
London Grammar lead singer, Tori Amos, Pat Benatar, Bono, Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays, Joni Mitchell,  I know so random! Basically any voice that is unique and not contrived and feels pure and from the heart. Some more I adore are PJ Harvey, alt-j, Led Zeppelin, William Fitzsimmons, Crosby Stills and Nash, Laura Marling, and The National.

7. What are the best responses you have had to your work?
When someone comes up to me and says I really like your music because it helps me to feel something. That really makes me smile so hard. That’s what i want. I want my music to be something that makes people feel not alone.

8. What do you like about your work?
My work has made life so much more interesting and rewarding. Being able to sing and write music is so therapeutic for me. It helps me to release a lot of dark feelings and emotions in a safe and artistic way and to share it with others in a way that is productive and not destructive is a blessing.

9. What advice would you give to other musicians?
Confidence is 99% of it. Don’t second guess. Believe in yourself and most of all don’t try to sound like any one else but yourself. If your voice is raspy embrace it..if your voice is very deep..embrace it..if your voice is soft and feathery..embrace it. Be you and not what you think others want you to be. Practice a lot and if you’re really serious about doing it professionally get ready for long hours of rejection and waiting but you will have moments where you will be so glad you stuck it out.

Kate Clark at Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA

10. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
In a wheelchair . . . KIDDING. I hope to have another full length album under my belt. I hope to still have a band and be performing and writing 🙂

Kate Clark

Reverbnation – www.reverbnation.com/kateclark
Bandcamp – http://kateclark.bandcamp.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/KateClarkSongs