Singer-songwriter Lindsay Katt considers herself an artist.
Lindsay Katt. (Courtesy Photo)
Self-trained, she describes her sound as “thoughtful indie/pop, with a sense of humor,” finding inspiration in everything around her. A lighter Alanis Morrisette mixed with a bit of Tristan Prettyman and a touch of Sarah McLachlan, the New York City musician’s songs are full of reflection.
“Everyone I come into contact with influences me in some way – like music, or a neighborhood cab driver,” she said. “My lyrics tend to come from my experiences, but sometimes just my own imagination … the process usually starts with a phrase, idea, or little nugget of something, that grows into a little zygote song. That’s the most typical, but sometimes I noodle around, and sit down to write something specific.”
Growing up in a family of seven siblings, Lindsay lived in Mexico and moved to Montana at age 8.
She described her childhood as magical, constantly in touch with creativity and nature. Her parents made the arts a priority.
“Music was always in our house,” Lindsay said. “We were always singing loudly and joyfully.”
Her mother let each child choose an instrument. Lindsay began piano lessons, but finding they weren’t for her, she learned on her own. She said she does not always follow rules or limits, often figuring out things for herself.
This idea carries over to her music as well.
“I hope (my music) makes people think,” Lindsay said. “I hope it allows them to remember that they are not alone in the human experience, and I hope it gets them through both hard and joyful moments, the way my favorite records have.”
Though she has written many meaningful songs, Lindsay said one of her favorites was her early track, “My Happy,” because it gave her a chance to express herself.
“(“My Happy”) was the first time in my life when I said exactly what I wanted to say, in exactly the way I wanted to say it, which I find to be a rare and special gift in life,” she said. “It also set the tone for me, and helped give me the confidence to keep on writing. I have been chasing the goosebumps ever since.”
Lindsay advocates LGBTQ rights, and has used her music for the cause, performing at the 2012 Capital Pride Festival and having her video air on LOGO.
“I would love to get to a place in society where people don’t haven’t talk about orientation at all, because it will be assimilated as part of our normal human experience. But right now we are fighting for freedom, and we need all the voices we can get.”
Currently working as a full-time musician, Lindsay said watching her music video air on MTV for the first was very strange, but did not really change anything for her.
Recently, her music has been featured on ABC’s “Switched at Birth” and SyFy’s
Lindsay’s latest project through her art collective “Art Matters: Money is a bad reason not to make or not make art,” was titled “Flash Busking.” This month was Frieda Kahlo, and Lindsay did a live painting and cut her own hair without a mirror. (courtesy photo)
“Being Human.” She has also appeared at the Democratic Convention, toured through Spain and Denmark and performed at Joe’s Pub in New York with friend and musician Heather Matarazzo. Finishing touring, Lindsay’s next move is finishing her second full record.
“I got into music because I love connecting with people, learning from them, and sharing with them. It makes life so rich,” Lindsay said. “The internet has made that possible in so many wonderful ways (Twitter for example) and other forums where we can talk directly to people, you might never have encountered otherwise. It’s an incredible gift, and a beautiful thing. I am grateful every day that I am allowed to do this job.”
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For more of Lindsay’s music, visit her website or follow her on Twitter @lindsaykatt
