Tell us a bit about yourself, when did you start?
I started to sing and write songs when I was fourteen years old. I performed the songs in a Jazz café in Haarlem en started to tour through the Netherlands with my guitar. I played lots of festivals and café’s. Last year on September 24th (when I turned 21) I released my debutalbum ‘Sights’ in Paradiso, together with my band.
You write all of your own music; which are your sources of inspiration when you write songs?
I work as a towerguide in Amsterdam. From the top of the tower I can see the whole city. Up there I find lots of little stories, because I can observe the citizens and people that are passing by, without them noticing me. The songs that I write are a little bit like these ‘views from above’. People who listen to my songs can make their own stories out of the lyrics. I want to make the songs really open.
If I was to turn on your ipod right now, what artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?
Sophie Hunger and Feist, my favorite female singers. And I listen a lot to bands like Grizzly Bear, Real Estate, Phoenix and Andrew Bird.
How do you envision Katia in a few years from now?
The ‘project’ Katía grows along with me. I like to take a little step each time and play the songs with my friends, who are very inspiring musicians. I hope I’ll be able to play some festivals next year, and maybe do a little tour outside of the country. I would love to go to Belgium.
Tell us about your next project
Well, the next project is a project that I’m working on since the beginning of this year. Every season I record an EP with brand new songs. Every EP has a completely different atmosphere than the last one. For example, we recorded the EP Part of the Plan (Spring) in a livingroom with all the musicians in a circle and we recorded all the instruments at the same time. Fall/Awake, the EP for the summer, is more layered. We recorded different electric guitars, a double bass, trombones, a flute, a xylophone, electronic drums and the sound of a fire in the backyard. Right now I’m writing songs for Autumn already… You can only listen to the songs in the particular season on my website. After that, the songs are replaced by new songs.
Where our readers can find your music online?
You can find my music at www.soundslikekatia.com. You can also find me on Bandcamp (katia.bandcamp.com) and Facebook (facebook.com/soundslikekatia)
Photos: Monyart
