A singer/songwriter I know is trying to raise money for her third CD. I'll be up front here: I'm writing about her in the hope that her music will resonate with you to such a degree that you'll consider contributing to her KickStarter project. (She's slightly over halfway to her goal with a month to go, but the pledge rate is flattening, and she could use some help.) I know that's a long shot, so even if doesn't happen, I at least hope you get some enjoyment from her music.
Her name is Kate Klim ("Milk spelled backwards," as she is likely to say to new audiences to make her name stick). She hails from the northeastern U.S. but now resides in Nashville.
Her music is straightforward pop/folk. Comparing artists is always difficult, but maybe think Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, early Patty Griffin, or Karla Bonoff. Kate has a very inviting voice, and there's a warmth to her piano playing that complements it perfectly. Not surprisingly for this genre, many of her songs are about relationships (with both people and places). If you can't stomach that style of music, or if you need your music loud, edgy, or provocative, there's probably little point in continuing to read this post. But, if you're open to heartfelt, well-crafted pop songs that are often smart and melodic, please read on.
Here's a sampling of her songs. Most of these clips are cell phone videos, so the sound quality is generally poor. (There are also some complete songs [album versions] at her web site
www.kateklim.com and samples at Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, and Bandcamp.)
Here's her KickStarter project video:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1102875290/kate-klims-new-album?ref=liveKate stresses her humorous side in her KickStarter video (I guess her idea is try to charm the money out of the viewers' wallets), but she's serious about her music, and I know how hard she works. That's one of the reasons I try to support her. My wife and I first met Kate a few years ago after her performance outside the Chattanooga (TN) aquarium. It was one of those steamy summer days that was so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk... in the shade!
, but she was out there for over two hours in the middle of the day. That's dedication.
On a more personal note, that meeting is also memorable to me for several other reasons.
First, it was totally out of the blue. We went to see some fish but came away with some great music and a new acquaintance. (It's like I was driving to the grocery store and spotted a mint condition Mcintosh amp or Linn turntable sitting on the curb. Sometimes the universe just hands you a free gift.)
Second, at that performance, my wife fell in love with one of Kate's songs. When we got home, we searched for it but couldn't find it anywhere--not the CD we bought, not on her previous CD, and not in any of the videos on YouTube. My wife emailed Kate, who replied that it was an old, unrecorded song. The memory stayed with me and, this past summer, I commissioned Kate to record it for my wife for our 28th anniversary. Kate went above and beyond. She didn't just record the song as written; she had never been happy with some of the lyrics, so she took the time to polish them, and she included a nice hand-written card to my wife. In all those years of marriage, it's my wife's favorite gift from me.
We've seen Kate only at places (outdoor markets, etc.) where she's background music and probably doesn't earn much, but she's there singing her heart out, putting in the hours, honing her craft. She's as nice a person as anyone you'll ever meet, and I'm happy to support a musician doing things the old fashioned way--by actually writing, singing, and playing well--rather than posing, gyrating, or twerking.
Thanks to anyone who read this far. If you have some spare time, please give a listen, and I hope you like her music.
Ron
