A Conversation with Kat Edmonson – HuffPost 6.6.12

Mike Ragogna: Kat, you have a new album, Way Down Low. What inspired the songwriting?

Kat Edmonson: I have been writing songs since I was at least 9 years old. I’m always inspired to write and it’s usually my own life experiences that inspire me. Very often, writing a song is a process that happens to me rather than one that I instigate. I feel a song coming on and, like a sneeze, I wait for it until it comes. For Way Down Low, I was particularly inspired by a breakup I was going through and a transition I was making from Austin to New York. I guess you could say those things brought on a series of sneezes.

MR: What was it like working in the studio with Al Schmitt and Phil Ramone?

KE: It’s nothing short of incredible. All I could think was, “I have arrived.” They are the ultimate guys in their field and they have so much wisdom, knowledge, and experience. On top of that, they are so wonderful and caring.

MR: What is the story behind your single “Lucky” ending up on the Showtime series United States of Tara?

KE: Not much of a story. I am very grateful that United States of Tara liked it and wanted to use it. Same goes for the Serta/Vera Wang ad.

MR: What originally got you into music and who are your influences?

KE: I took to music like a fish to water and was exposed to all different genres. But my foundation was established through the songs from old musicals. I watched musical after musical as a young girl. My mom was a single, working mother and needed something to keep me preoccupied and would pop in a VHS. I loved it! Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby… These were my primary influences.

MR: When did you decide you wanted to be a recording artist?

KE: I suppose when my mom gave me a tape recorder. That was around the age of 11 or 12. Before that, I thought I’d just be the youngest songwriter to ever write hit Nashville songs. I remember telling someone on the playground that I wasn’t going to be a singer, I was going to be an actress and write songs for other artists on the side. I said, “Sure, maybe I’ll sing some of my songs, but other people will record them and make them more famous than me.” I was an ambitious child. Too bad that kind of motivation didn’t extend into the classroom.

MR: Who of your musical contemporaries are you checking out these days?

KE: I’m a bit embarrassed to say that I don’t listen to many of those who would be considered my contemporaries. The records I have purchased most recently are the latest from Tom Waits, Dr. John, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, and Lee Fields. I sound like an old fart, I’m afraid.

MR: (laughs) No problem, those are all awesome artists. So what advice do you have for new artists?

KE: Pay attention to your thoughts. If you hear yourself saying, “It must be this way” or “it can never be this way,” ask yourself, “Why?” Look at everything as an opportunity, especially your greatest fears and challenges, and say to yourself, “If not now, when?” People will tell you you can’t because they believe that THEY can’t. You must always believe in yourself even when nobody else does. If your heart introduces an idea to you, don’t brush it off. Your heart always tells the truth.