Katrina Swift/Lilac Haze-Ready to take over the world
Interviewed By Duzzy Clayton
Intro
Katrina Swift is a musician that came on to my radar a few months ago when I played her track, ’I walk the earth’ on my radio show on Rock Steady 94. Since then I have been a huge fan that I just had to catch up with her to find out more about her and the new single
Enjoy the read
Questions
Hi Katrina, welcome to Fanbase Music Magazine, before we get to know you better, how are you doing with COVID, have you and your family been safe?
Thanks so much for this interview, Duzzy. Doing as well as I can. My mom and I both succumbed to COVID back in March/April even though we were fully vaccinated. So that was no fun, but we are both doing better.
Did you do the whole online streaming gigs thing that seemed to take off when we were on lockdown and venue gigs were on hold?
No, but as a co-founder of KWS Blank Canvas Music, we did take the time to develop our publishing and mini label, signing new artists/bands/writers and even developing a separate division devoted to Christmas music to cheer us up and others during lockdown.
You are known as Katrina Swift but also Lilac Haze, can you explain all that please?
Under Katrina Swift I do collaborations and independent projects under that name, (like with Brad Nack and I Walk The Earth, but as I am coming out with a brand new sound and am searching for like minded band mates moving forward, I have decided to bring my music to the listening audience under the banner of Lilac Haze and will see how that works.
Can you tell us about your background, where did you grow up, where you live now and also what got you into music?
I was born in Russia, grew up in Maine and Texas, and attended school in NY for a few years. Since I was 4, I’ve been visiting England quite frequently as my Dad had business there. So, England has always felt like a second home. I’m live in Bath, England now, as I’ve co-founded with my Mom, a music publishing and mini record label here. I’ve always been into singing and music ever since I was a young child. I remember I’d always sing for my Dad when he got home from work, and just put on little performances for my parents. I remember sitting in front of the TV just so mesmerized by Julie Andrews performance in The Sound of Music. I think I was 5 at the time. I watched that film so many times, the tape wore out. She really inspired me and it was then that I was like ‘this is what I want to do when I grow up. I want to be a singer’. I began classical voice training in NY when I was 12 and continued that for 8 to 9 years.
For readers who don’t know your genre yet, how would you describe your sound?
My sound is definitely still developing and ever changing. I don’t necessarily want to put my sound in one box, but I do love dreamy and ethereal textures, Rock, alternative music. I hope people can feel something from my music and that it gives them a bit of hope and light…. something they can feel a part of.
What are some of your influences?
My influences come from all over. Early on I was really into Julie Andrews, Patricia Racette, Charlotte Church, Nana Mouskouri, Billy Gilman, Édith Piaf, and Josh Groban. I’ve always been into music from the 80s/90s, but even more so now. It wasn’t until I began studying in England a few years ago that I discovered Kate Bush and All About Eve. Love them and I also love The Cure, Radiohead, Sharon Van Etten, Pink Floyd, and Wolf Alice. I listen to loads of music from all over, spanning different genres.
Are you a solo musician that has permanent band members or do you get session musicians when you record music or play live?
For now, I’ve been working with session musicians for recording, and I’m in the process of forming my first band. Most of my experiences were solo performances with orchestras, which is a completely different thing; but I’m really looking forward to working collectively with other musicians in a band format.
Do you play any instruments, and if so, what are they?
I play guitar (just enough for writing), piano, and I played violin when I was younger.
You have a single called, ‘I walk the earth’, can you tell us the meaning of this song and how it came about?
Brad Nack, the author of the song, and also our publishing client, asked if I’d be interested in covering his song, ‘I Walk the Earth’, and of course, I said yes. It’s a really beautiful song, and I enjoyed singing it and putting my own interpretation on it.
When and where was it recorded?
This was a transatlantic collaboration. Because of the whole COVID situation, and the fact that I was in England and Brad was in California, we did everything remotely. Brad co-produced the song with Zach Madden (State Flower) and bassist Dean Dinning (Toad the Wet Sprocket) in Santa Barbara California. Across the pond in Bath, I recorded vocals in my home studio while guitarist Sam Allen (Nightswimming) provided additional guitars in his studio. It was a great experience and I had so much fun working with everyone involved.
Do you have any new music in the pipeline we should check out?
Yes! I’m working on several releases for later this year under the name Lilac Haze, which I cannot wait to share, so keep a look out for any announcements.
When you are writing music, can you explain the process, do you do the lyrics first and build a song around that or do you come up with the instrumental music first?
Music always seems to come first. It kind of depends on the song and how I’m feeling though, but usually I’ll start off with a rough melody idea and some chords. I’ll throw that into logic and then build the song up from there. Sometimes they come all at once. I’m really into poetry as well. I’m not good at writing poetry, but I enjoy reading it.
For readers that haven’t seen you play live yet, can you explain what a typical gig is like?
Well, I’m looking forward to that myself (lol).
I haven’t had a proper gig with my new band yet, as we are still forming and rehearsing, but I envision that the audience will hopefully find something in my music that resonates with them.
Can you give us your social media please?
Thank you for doing this interview, do you have any last messages for our readers and your fans?
Thank you so much again, Duzzy, and to those who are following me on social media. I can’t wait to share new music with you real soon! You all are awesome!
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