Songwriter Interview – Kat Orlando – Mindset

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Kat Orlando talks about her music career and the inspiration behind her new EP, Mindset.

 

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed Kat Orlando about her life and career, her new EP, Mindset, and her creative process.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

I am a singer songwriter and I also play sax, flute & Harmonica. I’ve been performing for years, mostly in my home town, Detroit, MI, earlier in Denver. I also performing Florida during winter months.

When did you first WANT to write music?

I didn’t get serious about until my 20s. I bought a Wurlitzer keyboard and started filling notebooks with lyrics.

When did you take a step to start writing music?

I wrote my first “song” at 8 years old. It was called “Goofy Boy” and it was probably a rip-off of the Chiffon’s “He’s So Fine”. George Harrison was accused of the same with “My Sweet Lord”, but like mine, it was subconscious plagiarism.

What was your first piece of music released, and what inspired it?

I released my first cassette of 3 songs. 1982 “Can’t Stop My Feet” was about just wanting to dance all the time, “Hotter Than Hollywood” was about my time spent in Guam performing there with a band, “Pine Tree Row” was about living in my cabin in the mountains of Colorado.

What was your latest music released, and what inspired it?

“Mindset” EP includes “Not That Guy”, a dance song about a woman questioning the sincerity of a love interest, “Are You Gonna Be” is asking
the question “ are you going to be” the answer or the problem in troubled world, entitled, demanding or humble and giving, “Hurdy Gurdy Man” is
inspired by the original song by Donovan, (1968) which I perceived as a song about love. “You Showed Me” is also a cover version of a Turtles song from 1968 that is a more personal love song.

Focusing on your latest music. What were your biggest challenges with Mindset?

I think the challenge was taking the cover songs and making them interesting yet adapting to a new sound.

What are you working on right now?

I have to get back to my writing. I’ve been too busy in the marketing department. But lately I’ve come up with ideas for collaboration with rap song. I’ve also written some lyrics for a political country song. Definitely, off the beaten path from what I usually do.

Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?

It’s definitely a mood and what I’m feeling at the time. I do want to switch from the social commentary type songs I’ve been stuck on.

What is your favourite piece of music you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?

That’s a difficult one as I several favorite “kids”.

Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?

I have a playlist that lately rotates Michael McDonald, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder, Maceo Parker, and artists that few know but Spotify thinks sound like me.

Do you record and produce your own music, or pay musicians and producers?

I only record initial ideas or the pre-production aspect of the recording. I’ve been using producers. They know how to take my songs from the rough form and elevate it, instinctively capturing the sound I want. Luckily, they can tell form my rough recordings where I’m going with it.

What instruments do you play?

I play sax, Flute, harmonica for “live” performance, drums for play, and keys for writing.

Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?

That’s what I do! Love to perform. I probably would be somewhat of an introvert if I hadn’t performed for a living. I get a nervous energy but never stage fright. I’m like a horse coming out the gate. I can’t wait. (ok that’s my line, don’t steal it. lol) I perform in Michigan and Florida, mostly.

Many of the performances are on youtube.

Is your music available to the public, and where can people listen to it?

My music is online on all the major outlets. Search “Kat Orlando” on Spotify, Google Play, Apple, Amazon, Pandora streaming…..or BUY IT on
band camp.com.

Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?

I’m semi- retired. I am also a graphic designer so I tend to put my skills to use for my own bands, record promotion. It’s got to where I’m too busy with my own business to have day job.

Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?

They weren’t at all long ago but now they accept it and are somewhat proud. Before the question was when will you get your degree, real job. Now the question is when will you decide you’re too old for this?

What’s something you never expected about writing music ? What have you learned that surprised you?

Just how fulfilling it can be to hear what started out as a clumsy idea on paper or GarageBand to a fully developed recording. It’s even more fulfilling when the band likes it, plays it and the audience digs it too!

Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your music?

I play other artist’s music all the time. It’s nice to hear people say that they like the way I sing or play. But when people say they like my songs, that I write good melodic songs, that my R&B influences show in the feel and groove, that to me, is special.

Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?

I rarely have an opportunity or the right situation to perform a show of my songs.

What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write music?

Like anything, you have to just do it and keep at it. Listen to song structure, know basic music theory, chords. Don’t starve for it but don’t let people discourage you. You can do music in different capacities, to keep up your chops, practice, get experience.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

It’s got to a point of acceptance that this is what I do, basically what I am. I have other skills but music is my expression and comes the most natural to me than anything else.

Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

www.katorlando.com

https://www.facebook.com/katorlando/

https://www.youtube.com/@katorlando

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