Artist of the Day | KATE STEVENS
ARTIST OF THE DAY
03.11.2020
KATE STEVENS
LOCATION
Calgary, AB
GENRE
R&B, Folk, Soul
CURRENT MEMBERS
Cam Buie
Kyle Tenove
Kate Stevens
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
I was in Calgary when we got the news of a full fledged lockdown. My partner and I were watching the PM address and realized, holy moly this one's scary. My first though was live performances. I love performing on stage, the energy from the audience is absolutely everything for me. Trying to grasp the tough of "the new normal" was tough! Live streams were mentally draining and I was losing hope. I have been insanely lucky to have performed a couple shows this past couple months with enhanced restrictions, socially distanced and sometimes from behind plexiglass.
How has that affected your plans for the coming months? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
The pandemic has definitely altered my upcoming releases. Throwing 6 people into a small studio in the middle of a global pandemic is certainly not ideal. During quarantine I felt a lot of pressure to write the next big track or record a whole album. We're finally starting up with pre-production for a brand new release for the spring! It feels organic and I don't feel pressured to release the new single, I'm excited to put out a new tune for everyone to hear!
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home?
Other than questioning my existence and baking a lot of sourdough; I've started writing songs on instruments I wouldn't usually write on! Plus I bought a looping pedal cause, y'know its 2016 again. But I wrote a handful of tunes and tried to teach myself ProTools! I think quarantine has seriously given me time to reflect and just relax. I think the current "hustle porn” or "always on my grind" culture is toxic. Your body and mind need rest and it's almost as important as creating.
What was the first thing you did/place you went to now the country is starting to slowly re-open?
I played some shows! Protested for basic human rights and gave some of the bread I baked to my friends and family. I immediately started pre-production with my bassist and keyboard player. It felt so foreign creating again but I am so incredibly lucky to be producing a handful of songs with these amazing musicians.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
Wear your masks, stay safe and buy your musician friends merch. xox
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