CLAUDIA KATE

"I'd just love to be someone who can inspire other girls to feel good about themselves and just have a good time, so if I could do that with my music it would be amazing."

Introducing Claudia Kate, the new upcoming artist who describes herself as a very friendly 'human bean'.

Claudia Kate is an English born Indie Pop artist who combines dreamy pop melodies with situational lyrics. Having been a songwriter since she can remember, Kate strives to create a conversation in her music. She uses her spoken style lyrics to discuss topics all the way from first world problems to empowering her audience on much deeper topics, spreading positivity and confidence.

Kate's latest release 'Pity Party' stays true to her bedroom pop roots- enhanced with powerful electric guitars. Listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5M2ovCBe5hGfTHLd9VsWXb?si=lxEUE75ITj228EagJhjuWA

"Pity Party is about being in your 20s and not knowing where your life is going- the naivety of your teen years running dry and suddenly finding yourself surrounded by half deflated balloons and broken wine glasses."

Kate wrote 'Pity Party' after returning from university where she studied a course in songwriting.

She explained that it was during her time studying, that she really discovered her drive and passion for music; finding inspiration from her friendship circles and recreating her every day life situations into songs.

"I love writing about my friends. I'm very intuitive, I love story telling and writing about anything my friends tell me they are experiencing."

Talking about her debut album release, Kate said "I haven't stoped banging on about it! It's completely indie, I've done it all by myself."

When asked about the inspiration behind her music, Kate said "All the songs on the new album are very much about how my own brain works. I love to explore anxiety and I find it easier to put my thoughts into a song.

Kate's music gushes with honesty, witty phrases and powerful messages, each aiming to inspire and relate to young girls growing up in a world of unrealistic expectations with so called 'role models' encouraging unhealthy diets and botched faces.

"There's a song on the album called 'Fat' which is about body positivity and coming to terms with who you are.

In a world full of such uncertain times when vulnerable teenagers are probably more lost than ever before, it's promising to see young artists such as Kate using her platform to express how important it is to be comfortable within your own skin.

"I'd just love to be someone who can inspire other girls to feel good about themselves and just have a good time, so if I could do that with my music it would be amazing." She explains.

Her work doesn't stop there though as Kate as previously used other forms of media to connect with her fanbase. "I did one video on my YouTube which was about body positivity."

The video is called 'Body Positivity Chat: Self Love Series [Claudia Kate]' where she introduces herself as "an artist, a singer-songwriter, a human bean, a friend and a very positive person."

Kate's personality overflows with her witty sense of humour, however she is quick to point out that it's no secret that this year has been one of the most challenging times for anyone in the performing arts industry and she is no exception.

"I don't think I've written a song for about eight months because I have nothing to write about" she said. "I also find that when you are just on social media all day, you can get really down on yourself and what you are doing with your music, it becomes easy to compare yourself. I think that hits me sometimes and it can be really demotivating."

Not only has inspiration been a dark time for artists but their income has taken a turn for the worst too. According to an article on the impact of Covid-19, within the first few weeks of the global lockdown, streaming figures declined by a scary 11%. There just hasn't been that same level of demand for streaming as there once was in clubs and bars with venues still closed but artists are currently relying on this as one of their only forms of income.

Taking Spotify as a prime example, artists earn as little as an insulting $0.0033 per stream, which as you can imagine is no where near enough for new, upcoming independent artists to make a living.

On a much more positive note, Kate discussed her excitement for the rest of the year with many of the agonising lockdown rules being lifted around the same time as her debut album release.

"I'm hoping I can gig by the summer!" She exclaimed with excitement at the idea of live events beginning to take place again. "I love the Boileroom in Guildford. I've played there so many times and it always has such a good energy."

Kate went on to talk about her dream venue to play at, explaining that the 'O2 Academy Brixton' is at the top of her list. "I just love gigs there...it's just such a good time!" She laughed, reminiscing back to a much brighter time.

As gigs and venues begin to return to action, live music is just around the corner and who isn't living for it?