An Inspired Chat with Katt Holiday

We recently had the chance to connect with Katt Holiday and have shared our conversation below.

Katt, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
For the past year or so I have felt drawn more and more to writing and performing as a solo artist.

It was not a conscious decision at first, I just started noticing that the things I had begun writing didn’t really fit with the band I was playing with – but they worked in a solo guitar and vocal format.

Since the songs then would allow me to perform them by myself – I really started feeling able to just say whatever I needed to say without a thought of “would this work for the band or not” – and it was a really freeing thing. It allowed me to be more plain spoken, it allowed me to be more open in my lyrics about who I am and how I feel and where I stand.

I think that it had been in me for a long time, I mean I have always loved singer-songwriters since I was a kid. Although really embracing that tradition and putting myself out there alone was a bit daunting. There’s much less safety net in a live-performance setting without the rest of a band to rely on if something goes awry.

However, the flip side of that kinda nerve-wracking aspect is – It feels even more rewarding when the songs really connect because I feel I am putting a more vulnerable part of myself out there and it is validating to see and be seen.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure. So – I was born in England to an American military family. My family moved back to the states when I was pretty young and eventually settled in Southern Illinois.

I got my first guitar when I was seven years old and I have been performing live music in one way or another since I was about fourteen. I’ve shared the stage with indie legends like the Dex Romweber Duo and Joe Buck (of Hank 3’s band and the Legendary Shack Shakers) Jason Ringenberg (of Jason and the Scorchers) and Andy the Doorbum. I have also worked with members of Gogol Bordello and Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band.

Over the years I have played with multiple bands in various styles – from bluegrass, Zydeco, and rockabilly to experimental electronic and psych-rock.

But starting with the release of my first proper full-length solo album, (the alt-folk tinged DESIREPATH – released by El Gran E Records in 2024) my musical style has solidified and started bridge the gaps between my loves of folk, blues, and the “lay it all out there” attitude of punk rock – all tied together with my somewhat sardonic sense of humor.

I am in the process of working on a follow-up to that album (and a couple of other as yet in-named projects – so 2026 is already shaping up to be a busy year.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Anger…or more accurately, resentment. So, like I said – my family moved to Southern Illinois when I was pretty young (elementary school age). I grew up in a small town there – and as happens in a lot of small towns, the people there weren’t exactly welcoming of “outsiders” – especially ones like me that were already kind of ‘weird’ – like just into different things…even at a young age I was already into tons of different kinds of music and movies and pop culture and like dressing up and later I got into poetry and art when most other kids around were into like sports and/or hunting or whatever.

I just I probably seemed really weird to the other kids. Luckily I did find some friends, so I want entirely alone – but still my friend group and I definitely faced some challenges because of these things…and for a long time I resented the place I grew up and sort of resented my parents because as a kid and young adult it felt like “why did you bring me here?” and I used those feelings as an excuse to get into things maybe I shouldn’t have and to feel jaded.

But as I have gained a little age I have started to understand that these things are a part of who I am and it’s given me resilience. I don’t necessarily have to look fondly on things that have happened – but I have been around enough now to see the beauty in where I have grown up – and to see that going through a lot of things at a young age has allowed me figure out what I truly DO value out of life and who I am and who I want to be – maybe a little sooner than some.

So, it is an ongoing process to let go of it – but ultimately I know that resentment doesn’t serve anyone but itself.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Success can be a great feeling – but it is illusory. Suffering is a universal truth. While it can sometimes feel unbearable – it really can be one of the most effective teachers – if we are open to the lessons it has to offer.

Personally, I think suffering has taught me to let go of egocentric ideas. In a strange way it has helped me connect with other people more than success has. I don’t mean that in a trauma-bonding kind of way (although I have been through that as well). What I mean is – some of the suffering I have experienced has led me to places of healing – where I really felt able to connect with people on deeper levels of experience and understanding and caring.

Suffering has taught me that we are all flawed and it is part of what makes us beautiful actually. Success can teach you great things as well – but its lessons are different.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Most people I have ever met are multi-faceted – ever changing, ever-evolving (or devolving).

While certain aspects of my personality have stayed true – I have also been many different people in my life – all of which have reflected who I needed to be at that time in my life. I don’t believe this makes me less authentic. If anything maybe a little moreso because I have followed my heart into places that continue to shape and develop who I am.

Personally, I write and perform music for the love of it – but also to make a living. As such I have played many different types of music which all come with their own customs, playing styles, styles of dress, etc…which are all things I have inhabited pretty naturally and feel like the “real me” – I have never felt like I was just “playing a part”.

But then there is the “real me” when I am walking my dog or going to a friend’s house or at the grocery store. So the “public version” of me can be very different depending on what I am doing or how I feel that day – but I would say all of the versions are the real me at that moment. I am a pretty emotional person and I have never really been very good at hiding it – so whatever version of me is out there – is “the real me”.

The trick is just not worrying about it and trusting that being whoever I need to be will open whatever doors need to open.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think because of the kind of songs I write and the kind of music that I have made – it might appear to most people that I am a very serious individual – which can be true…but really probably only those with whom I have been pretty close will understand and remember the part of me that is really irreverent and goofy. Also, the fact that I love baseball will probably remain little known and misunderstood – except maybe to the people who have read this interview.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katt_holiday
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/88miracleboy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kattholiday38

Image Credits
Nina Wilson Photography

Erik Carlson/Sonic Gallery STL

Andrew Beyke