TOO GOOD TUESDAY INTERVIEW: Kat Saul
Although singer, songwriter and Nashville native Kat Saul has always known she was destined for a career in music there was a short time when she considered not pursuing this dream. There was a week in 2005 when Disney’s “Ice Princess” came out on DVD where she seriously thought about pursuing ice skating as a profession. Luckily she didn’t because then we wouldn’t have ever heard latest single “Jericho” which she released last week.
Being a pop artist and growing up in a country dominated city like Nashville isn’t always easy but Kat proves its definitely possible. She was recently named Nashville Songwriters Association International’s “Ones To Watch” and was also named first runner-up for CMT’s 2018 songwriting competition. Lucky for us, Kat Saul took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions from Too Good Music! Check ‘em out below:
TOO GOOD MUSIC: What does “Jericho” mean to you?
KAT SAUL: “Jericho” is about not letting people bring you down. My cowriters and I bonded over similar experiences with “haters” and the lyrics started flowing. We wanted to make the song more or less a party song in order to represent taking a negative moment and turning it into positive motivation that you can dance off!
TGM: How is “Jericho” similar to your previous releases? How is it different?
KS: “Jericho”, like my previous releases, has an unapologetic attitude. I think it’s very important as a woman to stand strong, and I try to carry that principal into my music as well as my life. “Jericho”, however, is a little different than my other releases, as I’ve further explored my pop sound as an artist and writer. I come from a background of writing in country and folk sessions in Nashville. I think this is the first song I’ve released where I truly let my pop instincts run wild.
TGM: How would you describe your sound?
KS: I would describe my sound as vibrant, left of center pop.
TGM: You have a lyric in the song that goes “trying to frame me like the Mona Lisa.” If you were to have a painting of you hung up and framed, what museum would you want to be hung up in?
KS: I actually really love art museums so this question is super hard. I’d say either the MoMA or the Louvre, but the native Nashvillian in me says the Frist!
TGM: How has being a pop artist in a mainly country music dominated city like Nashville helped develop you into the artist you are now?
KS: Being around all the amazing country songwriters in Nashville definitely has pushed me to be a better, more poetic lyricist! Also, there hasn’t historically been a huge pop community in Nashville to model after, so it’s forced me to trust my instincts more and go with my gut as a pop artist.
TGM: Who are some of your musical influences?
KS: I listened to so much music growing up, but I’d say my three biggest are Lorde, Gwen Stefani and Sia!
TGM: What is it about music that makes you keep pursing it?
KS: Writing songs is like a drug. Once you’ve had a little taste you’re hooked! There is nothing better than the feeling of finishing a session and singing a song in the car that didn’t exist 4 hours prior. Except maybe playing that song for a crowd of people. That might be even better.
TGM: If you would have followed your dream in 2005 of becoming an ice skater what song would want to do a figure skating routine to nowadays?
KS: “God Save Our Young Bloods” by Borns and Lana Del Rey! Two of my favorite artists on one song. Can’t go wrong.
TGM: What’s a Kat Saul live show like?
KS: Right now I’m playing with a 6 piece band- guitar, bass, drums/tracks, and two background vocalists. My staple visual is blue fog. I’m crazy about the way it looks and always keep a machine and extra can of fluid in the trunk of my car just in case the venue doesn’t have one. I also LOVE to dance. My Sasha Fierce is definitely present on stage. If my hips aren’t moving I’m probably sick.
TGM: If you could only listen to (5) artists for the rest of your life who would the they be?
KS: This is a trick question. Hard to limit all the amazing music out there. I’d say 5 of my favorites though are Lorde, Sia, Gwen Stefani/No Doubt, Sir Sly and Lana Del Rey.
TGM: If you were on death row and could only listen to (1) more song and eat (1) more meal what would they be?
KS: “Hello World” by Lady Antebellum for my last song. It’s one of the first songs that made me want to write songs of my own. It also has that reckoning “my life is flashing before my eyes” vibe. My last meal would be oatmeal or strawberries and whipped cream. Maybe both. I also really love dill pickles. I realize those items don’t go together.
TGM: What else do you have coming up in 2018?
KS: All I can say right now is that there will be some big announcements and a lot more content coming your way! Stay tuned!
A HUGE shout-out to Kat Saul for taking the time to answer some questions from Too Good Music. To be the first to know about those big announcements she teased be sure to keep up with her through the below links!
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