How have you been? What’s happened in the world of Kathy Muir since we reviewed your last album, which was released in the summer of 2012?
Well, Far From Entirely was recorded over a series of trips between the UK and the States. Six months after the album was released I moved over to the USA permanently. With roots more secure I started to check out the live performance circuit. So, during 2013 and the first half of 2014, I not only continued recording in the studio but I started doing the local open mics venues, eventually resulting in small shows in and around Connecticut.
I have also released two singles. Keep on Walking was launched in April 2014 and was as a project of collaboration thanks to social media, photography, music, and the desire to help make a change. The background to the song is that, a year earlier, two high school students found me on Twitter and said they liked my music. When I discovered their website ‘artishomeless’, I was deeply moved by the images and learned that the Kiener brothers sought to raise awareness and funds for the homeless in Miami. To contribute to their cause, they agreed to my writing a song that would capture the essence of their photography: realism interwoven with empathy and optimism.
A song and photographs are combined in this project to reach out to people and share the moment when two high school students changed my life, and made a difference in the lives of others.
In November 2014 I released Seattle Mornin’ which was a two year project in the making. Seattle has been a major creative influence for me for quite some time. Back in the summer of 2012 the main purpose of my trip to Seattle in the summer of 2012 was to see photographs of the Seattle Camera Club (1924-1929), held at the UW’s Special Collections. The morning after I arrived I woke up early, super excited to be back in the city. By early I mean 4am. I remember looking out the window and below, on 1st Avenue was a little lady walking her dog. For some reason, that sparked an idea. The song structure and melody were written that morning. The lyrics took much longer to form, and are inspired by Picasso’s change in artistic style.
The album Book Cover Judge came out in March – a 12-track album that’s taken 18 months to record. Plus, we’ve made a couple of music videos for the album, two of which I’ve still to release.
In June 2015 I release Believe the Impossible which is a fun summer tune, and acoustic pop in style. I had a blast writing and recording that song, which we wrapped in a month. It was one of those songs that was waiting to reveal itself, so it was pretty straightforward creating the arrangement for it..
How is your new project different…or how has it evolved from the last project?
I think most songwriters would agree they are always growing, always evolving in their work. There is a great quote by American folk singer Jean Ritchie who said ‘Living is collecting’. I think that’s true, I think you are becoming what you are. I didn’t expect Book Cove Judge to contain twelve songs, and I certainly couldn’t have envisaged including the style of some of these songs. But you never know what you’re going to write until, well, you write. This album still has a mix of Americana, with hints of blues and jazz, and a few songs that are almost cinematic. I think I explored to a much greater degree the arrangement and orchestration side of things. I’d bring to the studio pretty complete demo: Seattle Mornin’ and I’ll Be There, Back To You, to name a few.
Who did you work with on this new one? It sounds great!
Essentially we’re a team of three: me, Steve Hansen and Harry Whalley, In the main, I’ll create the rhythm guitar parts, keyboards and vocals. Steve will lay down drum, bass and lead guitar and Harry will mainly lay down piano, occasionally keys and from time to time his input on arrangements. For example, Harry created the horn arrangements on Softly. We bring in specific musicians as and when we need them on a song.
What was the last song you listened to?
Amber Run ‘I found’ featuring the London Contemporary Voices. I would love to do that with a song of mine. The power of voice, you just can’t beat it.
[Tweet “A song and photographs are combined in this project to reach out to people and share the moment when two high school students changed my life, and made a difference in the lives of others.”]
Do you have any upcoming gigs? Tours? Where can fans see you perform?
Because I’ve been ploughing away in the studio these last six months finishing a 6-track EP entitled Second Life, I haven’t been performing as much. However, with the September release of Born By The Water from the EP, I’m itching to get out and play in the next wee while.
I’ll also be launching some music videos over the next six or so months. There are a couple of songs on the EP that just beg to have imagery added to them. Before then I have two music videos to release from Book Cover Judge which will be happening fairly soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtu4kv_NOtA
Where’s the best place to connect with you online?
My website kathymuir.com always tells folks what’s going on and where to find me on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter. I’m, also a huge fan of Instagram.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
If any fans are interested in Google Hangouts, Stage It, Newsletter podcasts or podcast with other female artists about the song writing process I’d love to hear from them. I for one would be up doing it. I mean, I’m sure there are readers and listeners out there who don’t often get a chance to see one of their favourite artists perform let alone talk to them, hear them sing a few tunes in an informal setting or ask them about songwriting.
