West Cork five-piece The Kates have released their debut EP, Pictures Here Of Dreams, and play a string of Irish shows including the Clonakilty Guitar Festival. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
The Kates are Eve Clague (lead guitar and vocals), Liz Clark (rhythm guitar and vocals), Mary Beth O Mahony (keyboards and vocals), Míde Houlihan (drums and vocals), and Paula K (bass and vocals).
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All five members have played, sang and written their own music for years and released albums of their own original work.
The five piece have now written a collection of original songs for Pictures Here Of Dreams, which they will launch at the Clonakilty International Guitar Festival on 20 September and Coughlan's, Cork on 28 September. They also play Whelan’s of Dublin on 27 October.
The focus track from the EP is Unbalancing, which was written by Liz. "It’s about my busy brain that can’t quite ever achieve this elusive `balance’ we’re supposed to all strive for," she says.
"But also wondering if balance isn’t as exciting as my chaotic life anyway!"
Five years ago, Paula decided to set up the all-women rock band, specifically for a fundraiser for ovarian cancer charity OvaCare.
"The fundraiser was in memory of my mother Catherine, who passed away from ovarian cancer, and she inspired the name," says Puala. "She was a feminist who loved to lift other women up. The Kates have been going ever since!"
Speaking about the band, she adds, "It's also a wonderful vehicle to express ourselves in an environment that feels true to us as we are all individually songwriters and singers. We support each other.
"We love that in The Kates band, we are women in our 20s, 30s & 40s, allowing for the sharing of experiences and learning from each other.
"The support and encouragement from our local communities has been integral to keep playing and to start writing together as a band.
"From our first gig in 2017 for the charity OvaCare to our single launch in DeBarras in Cork last June, we are so proud of how far we've come and we hope to keep on going."
Tell us three things about yourself .
Liz: We are absolute dorks. We all have very different styles as songwriters with different influences so it’s really interesting when we get together to arrange and write our songs. It took us almost five years to really gel with that. But now that we have you can’t stop us. We are highly motivated by snacks
How would you describe your music?
Míde: I would like to think of our music as catchy and considered. Little bit folk, little bit indie, little bit playful little bit emotional. And harmonies, harmonies, harmonies.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Paula: As a band I'd say Sharon Van Etten, Big Thief, Angel Olsen as well as trailblazers like Janis Joplin, Patti Smith and Courtney Love.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
MaryBeth: Declan O Rourke in the Opera House in Cork. I was around 15 I’d say and cried for most of it. I’ve been a huge fan ever since and I think he’s one of the best songwriters going. He also wrote a song about his dog Sarah so, yeah I’m a fan.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Paula: Velveteen by Transvision Vamp. On tape! I listened to it at least a thousand times and knew every single song on it. I'd lock the door so my sisters couldn't tease me, turn the stereo up and sing into a hairbrush, imagining that I was on stage in a rock band.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Eve: Don't really have a favourite song at the moment but Georgia by Brittany Howard is on repeat and gives me such a high during the build-up at the end. Also, I've seen her play it twice live and it's even more exciting and it makes me so happy!
Favourite lyric of all time?
Míde: Favourite lyric of all time is tough but Bon Iver’s song Wisconsin comes to mind: "every place I go I take another place with me."
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Liz: Don’t Hurt Yourself (featuring Jack White) by Beyoncé.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Pictures Here Of Dreams is due for release in September. We have gigs coming up and you can find more info on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Alan Corr
