Meet Katie Cole

Katie, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I think I just got to a point where I realized that I wasn’t succeeding while trying to be someone else so why should I keep doing that? It didn’t make me happy trying to bend into creating songs that were more “country music” that I felt comfortable. I also spent years writing songs on Music Row and when I look back now, the only ones I ever really believed in were the ones I had gone back and re-written myself.

I think feeling like an imposter or a fraud is probably very common in the music business. Almost every music professional told me my music was too country, not country enough, too polished or not organic enough. I’m too pretty or not pretty enough. I’m too old or not experienced enough. Everyone can tell you a million reasons why you are NOT good enough. But in an illogical industry, if you think logically the truth is pretty clear – only YOU know why you are unique. Let’s look at Freddie Mercury’s teeth, or how Tina Turner was over 40 when her biggest hits were released. Let’s look at Phil Collins, who was a drummer. hahaha or Andrea Bocelli who is vision-impaired. Great artistry comes from all sorts of people, places and a true artist will always find a way to forge a path. I just started embracing what I truly enjoy as a writer and as a performer. I no longer care if anyone else likes it or approves of it. If I think it’s great, then I’m doing my job.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I think it’s best to say I’m a song-writer first and foremost. Then I’m an artist so I can have an outlet for these songs and stories. I’m also a touring musician in the Smashing Pumpkins. I started performing in pubs and clubs when I was 15/16, so I have had over 20 years experience on stage. Wow I feel old. hahhaha.

I really learned how to entertain people over many years, and more importantly, how to connect with people. Music is very special in the way that it can help you express an unsaid thought, or release an unspoken feeling. So in my songwriting, I am always looking to make sure the music and lyrics express everything I’m trying to without sugarcoating it. The truth inside songs can be as a sweet as first love, or as messy and fractured as childhood trauma. The truth shouldn’t be watered down. That’s the junction I’m at with my music currently.

I just released a new EP called “Rivers & Roads”. The latest video for “Young and Stupid” is out now, Produced by Howard Willing. I’m really proud of this song and video shot with Chelsea Thompson from Dire Image. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8D4vOLsA8Q

I don’t make that many music videos, but I think it’s an important partner to any music release. People often listen with their eyes and need to see the music to feel connected to it. So, the theme of this video was really about feeling lonely or isolated. Putting an adult in social situations and it seeming disconnected. This was a match for the song and lyrics being about youth and how difficult, but beautiful things are when you are young. And how you carry a lot of those experiences forward to today.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Listen, Listen & Listen.

The best thing you can do is listen. I mean, really listen to what people are saying or implying. Just letting people talk to you and not be thinking about what you’re going to respond with. If you, just listen, people will often tell you everything you want to know.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I think my parents, my Mum especially, allowed my sister and me to be weird. We both listened to music really loud and sang really loud. I’m sure we were delightful to live next door to. ahhhhh My mum always introduced us to her music and encouraged us to listen to a lot of genres. So I listened to a lot of 60’s and 70’s rock and roll along with Classical music from Beethoven and Chopin equally. I saw a lot of parallels musically to Chopin, Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden. When I was young, I don’t think I really cared to fit my listening habits into one fixed genre. I think I made a lot of mix tapes and cd’s as a result.

But if it wasn’t for the presence of an extremely eclectic music collection, I wouldn’t have thought to do that. My mum’s collection was Stones, Peggy Lee, John Fogerty, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd and oodles of classical artists. I am definitely who I am total as a product of the enormous amount of music I was exposed to. Thanks to my mum, I guess.