By Steve Perrett
Katie Marie is a currently unsigned musician from the Torbay area (Devon, UK).
She is a versatile and accomplished multi instrumentalist musician and songwriter, and is destined for bigger things!
Her debut EP
"Been Here Before"
Is available in the UK and Europe from Stage-Dive.
Or in the US from Cd baby
Her new album is due for release on September 25th 2004.
Check Katie's site here for more details.
The Questions
1/ How long have you been playing/writing Music?
I first started playing piano when I was 6 years old and progressed onto guitar, drums and bass when I was a bit older. I've been writing songs since I was around 13 (yes I was a troubled teen!)
2/ What is your primary instrument?
That's a tricky one.... I like different things about the different instruments I can play - but I try and link them all together and get inspiration from each of them. I quite often find myself playing drum rhythms on guitar, or playing a vocal line on the bass.
3/ Do you record in a studio? Or do you use a home-based set-up?
I've got my own little set up at home, but since Funkee Fish Records was born
I have access to a lovely studio - but I still tend to do things like the vocals at home as that's where I feel most comfortable.
4/ Tell us about you the songwriter...do you write alone, with others etc.
I've always written and recorded my material on my own and not involved many outside musicians or writers to work with. It's not because I'm being egotistical, it's just my music is very personal, and it takes a special kind of person to know where you're coming from and to respect what you're writing about. I also find it easier to add drums and bass myself as most of the time I already know in my head what I want them to
sound like - and as I'm recording both I know exactly what type of fills and riffs I'm going to be playing, so the two can be really linked together well and sound really tight.
5/ Do you prefer to play live? Or do you prefer recording?
When it comes to my own material, I prefer to record, As it's more my space, and I don't have to compromise what I play depending on where I am.
Where as, when gigging, you quite often do. Don't get me wrong! I love the energy of playing live, I've gigged with many different bands and played loads of different styles of music and I've learnt so much.
6/ Do you start with a finished product in mind or just let it morph as you go?
I hate having a fixed structure when I'm recording - I like things to sound as live and un-produced as possible. Obviously I have a structure in terms of the arrangement, but I usually record the vocal and guitar
live, and then I'll normally have a rough idea for the bass and drums - but most of the time it's just press record and see what I come up with
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| Katie Marie |
7/ You've got a new album coming out soon; (Sept. 25th) can you tell us about it?
Yes I'm really looking forward to it! Most of the tracks I've recorded myself in my studio at home, and what?s nice about this CD is that I've had plenty of time to mix and arrange the tracks - I've not had to leave it to some one else and not been happy with the overall sound. This CD will have 10 new tracks on it and will be much more varied that my last EP. I've put a couple of very raw acoustic tracks on as well, which I recorded
at Funkee Fish Studios.
8/ Where does your inspiration come from?
I just write how I feel, simple as that! There's not one of my songs you can pick out that's not from the heart.
9/ Got any funny gig stories?
Quiet a few! I think the funniest one for me (well it wasn't too funny at the time!) was when I was in a duo called ?Sharky and the Fisherman? and we had a festival gig in the middle of Lyme Regis. (Dorset Coast UK) The stage was set up on a very high and incredibly dodgy looking scaffolding (I'm scared of heights.... ) not only that but when I eventually summoned up the courage
to get to the top, I found we were playing right in front of a butcher shop! (I'm a vegetarian......!) and to finish it all off! as soon as we started playing, it hammered down with rain - and yes, as soon as we'd
ended the last song of the set, the sun came out! - think some-one's trying to tell me something.....? :)
10/ Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Hopefully Funkee Fish * will be a much more established label and we'll be able to have more options available to us in terms of promotion and distribution. I'd also love to go on tour in the states sometime - that would be cool
11/ What is your ultimate goal with your music?
To be able to just do music 24 - 7, to be gigging, writing and recording constantly - no more 9-5!!
12/ What gear do you use? / What is your favourite piece of gear?
I've got all sorts of weird and wonderful things! I love old recording gear as I think you get a much better sound than the modern stuff you see now. I love all my instruments, my guitar is a Yamaha APX4a and we've
been through a lot of gigs together My bass is a Musicman Stingray which is so versatile and sounds amazing recorded, and my drum kit is a 'Yamaha Stage Custom' which I adore the recorded sound I get with that! It's taken me so long to get the gear I've got so I appreciate it every time I record or gig! I don't ever forget some of the awful guitars and kits I've had in my time!
13/ Is there anything else you want to share with Songstuff visitors?
Thanks for reading right the way through the interview!
14/ Do you have a list of upcoming gigs?
I do - if you get 5,
There's a gig list on there,
and also loads more info about my music.
Katie
* Funkeefish studios will be featured in a seperate article.
Discuss this article in our Music Forum.
About Steve Perrett
A Songstuff staff member for sveral years, Steve plays guitar, writes songs and records his own material.
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