Kathy von is a musician on the rise. With a heavenly voice and alluring guitar tonalities, we hear von create a prominent name for herself in the industry. Recently releasing her capitvating new record, Symphony, von takes a chance with a sound that is uniquely her own. Hoining her skills both vocally and musically, her songs will stop you dead in your tracks; and most importantly make you listen. I had the pleasure recently of speaking with Kathy von regarding her newest release, her influences and the road ahead. Dive in, below.
How long did it take you to record the new record, Symphony? and What was the inspiration behind the record?
The studio recording of Symphony began in June of 2016 but the songs were written over the last five years. They really showcase my journey as a song-writer and all the up’s and downs of my life and relationships while living in Nashville. Will Hensley, who engineered, produced and mixed the album, really get’s my sound. Because Will is based in New York, I typically do basic tracking and vocals in Nashville and then send them up to Will to mix. With Symphony we both agreed that it would be better to do the entire Album in New York. I flew up to New York in June of last year and sang all the vocals in one weekend because I was diagnosed with cancer that same month. I had to get the vocals done before I had surgery and started with chemotherapy. Will and I were in constant contact between June and January of 2017 honing the sound. It was an amazing process and it kept my spirits high while I was going though treatment.
What is the meaning behind the title of the record? What significance does it hold for you?
The song Symphony is one of my favorite melodies that I’ve ever written. The tag line at the end of chorus, “There’s more to a melody, mine needs a Symphony” is so indicative of how I’ve been feeling about relationship over the last couple of years. It’s a great feeling when you finally figure out what you are looking for. Also Symphony and the rest of the album embodies what living in Nashville as a song-writer is all about. These song’s were written with my favorite co-writers and I think that comes through in the songs. I’m so thankful to all my amazing co-writers!
How did you combine the elements of your influences to create the new album and hone a sound that is uniquely your own, as you blend Country elements with dashes of Pop laced throughout?
I was born and raised in South Africa and I mainly listened to pop and dance music. Once I moved to the states I discovered a love for modern country music. I’m inspired by artists like John Mayer, Keith Urban and Alison Kraus, so I think sub-consciously I’ve been writing music with those three sounds in mind. My sound has been a work in progress and getting just the right amount of pop and country has not been easy. It wasn’t really working up until now. All Kudo’s to Will Hensley for nailing it this time.
When in the studio creating the new album, did collaborations generally take place or did you take the reigns for all songwriting and performing endeavors?
Once I had the ten songs that I knew I wanted on the album and sent them to Will in rough guitar vocal format he began the process of putting the basic tracks together for me to sing the vocals over. Will played most of the instruments on the track except for drums, piano and strings. It was very difficult for me to relinquish control to him and because of that we had specific rules in place. I had to wait two weeks once he sent me a mixed track before I could say anything. I had lived with these songs for so many years and I had such preconceived idea’s of what they would sound like in a full mix. Luckily the songs came back sounding like they do in my head. As much as I would have loved to have played guitar on the tracks I’m not great at playing to click and for studio recordings it has to be perfectly to click.
Loving the single “Drive Away” in particular! What was the musical and lyrical inspiration for the piece?
Thank you! This song is all about the end of a date. I had gone on a date a couple nights before I wrote the song and there was that moment of anticipation at the end of the date as to “what is gonna happen next??”. And just like that the song idea was born. It’s mostly about how one significant moment can change the course of your life forever.
With your new release ready to hit stores in March, what other gems can we expect from you in the New Year? Will you be out on the road as well?
I’ll be working as much as possible to have video content to support the release. I hope to tour in the summer but that’s also a work in progress. As an indie artist it’s mostly me hoping and praying that the world loves and embraces this release. My heart and soul is in every song. Thank you so much for listening.
LINKS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/symphony/id1200177290
www.kathyvon.com
https://www.facebook.com/kathyvonmusic/
About Kathy von
Nashville singer song-writer Kathy von’s second full length album, Symphony, is out now on digital release. The album is an infusion of etherial pop and folk music and it’s this blend that gives the listener a window into the life of the artist over the last decade.
Kathy von was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. She moved to the U.S. in 2000 after her father won a green card in the lottery. While working in advertising sales and living in Atlanta, Chicago and New York Kathy discovered she had a talent for song-writing. She finally gave up her advertising career to pursue music in Nashville in 2010. Kathy von remembers how scared her family and friends were for her when she announced she was quitting her “day job” and moving to Nashville to become a singer-song writer at the age of thirty two.
Kathy von readily admits that nothing about chasing her music dream has been easy. She states: “The last seven years have been the best and hardest years of my life. But I don’t regret a single minute and I would not hesitate to do it all over again, especially since I was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2016. The diagnosis came about a month before this latest album went into production. Something in my gut was telling me to do one last project, and I thank God that I did. It’s this album that has been my life blood and kept me going through major surgery and a grueling five month chemotherapy treatment plan. “
Optimistic about her recovery Kathy von hopes her story will inspire others to keep chasing their dreams even when the deck is stacked against them. Kathy is a born optimist, smiling through the bad days, and hoping that the album cover shows a small glimpse of her story.
