Kat Wilson is a 4-piece music project, formed late 2013 and fronted by Katie Wilson. Ginger native Katie Wilson is joined by shred dog Dan Berne, bass soul man Tamatoa Rima and Ben Winstanley on the sticks. Kat Wilson has been described as, ‘melodically uplifting with rich haunting lyrics’.
The tunes are a mash of dirty blues and a coastal, acoustic beauty.
Since forming, Kat Wilson has steadily performed across the local Perth scene — including headlining the Indi Bar and Yaya’s and supporting act at The Rosemount and The Bird.
Kat Wilson highlights include support for Sydney based band Tigertown, rotation on Singapore’s radio station Lush and key performance at State of The Art Festival in 2014.
I saw Kat Wilson play at Yaya’s in Perth and loved the feel of the tunes —they are a talented and passionate band. I recently asked Katie a little about her personal creative journey and that of the band.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young I wanted to be a farmer, then a sports teacher and then I fell in love with music.
What have been some of the detours you’ve taken along the way?
Honestly, since graduating school my focus has been on music and creating a career in the industry. That’s looked different in different seasons, with bands, teaching and studying— but always in the same industry.
What’s one step on your creative journey that you’re really glad you took?
Starting Kat Wilson as a four-piece band has been the best decision on this creative journey so far. All three of the guys —Dan, Tama and Ben add so much to the band with their creativity and skill. Our sound now is not ‘me and my band’ as such—it’s an equal partnership and I love those guys. Really Kat Wilson is just the name of the band. We’re all as valuable within the crew as each other.
What did it take to discover to your unique voice? Have you found it yet?
I think I’m just starting to find my voice—I’m pretty much still a baby. 22 years old and just starting out.
If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do?
Build a music studio, then travel the world playing our music and having influence in today’s culture.
What change would you like to see in the world?
The end of human trafficking in all nations and cultures. Light in the darkness
In what you are doing, how are you changing your piece of the world through your creativity?
At this stage in our career as Kat Wilson, we love it when we’re ending a show and someone comes up and says things like, ‘There’s a light and joy when you guys play.’ Or, ‘That was beautiful, I had to keep watching.’
Ultimately to have great influence is what we strive for through our music and lyrics, but we love to help people feel ‘something’ —a different light.
If you had one day left, how would you spend it?
Whoa that’s a hard one. Not sure entirely, but a large portion would be spent at the sea side.
Describe a typical day in your creative life?
Wake up, go to class (I study Music Business), get coffee, do emails, write some lyrics on a scrap piece of paper, head to band practice, hang out with the band boys, play a gig. Sleep. Bliss.
You can check out the band and their music here:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/katwilsonmusiclive
Website – http://www.katwilsonmusic.com/
Triple J Unearthed –https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/kat-wilson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT8kMjQtnpo
Kat Wilson are launching their EP Sea Legs in July. If you’re in Perth, I’d suggest you go along—you won’t regret it.
