{"id":47491,"date":"2014-12-18T17:21:55","date_gmt":"2014-12-18T22:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=47491"},"modified":"2015-01-01T09:41:28","modified_gmt":"2015-01-01T14:41:28","slug":"interview-with-eva-kathryn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-eva-kathryn\/","title":{"rendered":"Eva Kathryn"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Christophe Pauly<\/span>
\n– Senior Photojournalist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Eva Kathryn is preparing to release her first studio album. Tentatively titled Eva Kathryn<\/em>, Kathryn is joined by Marco Minnemann (Joe Satriani), Michal Mierzjewski (Symphonic Theater of Dreams, Jordan Rudess, Flying Colors), Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse, Affector), Daniel Fries (Affector), Brendan McReynolds (Justin Bieber) and Randy George (Neal Morse). <\/p>\n

In this exclusive interview Eva Kathryn talks about her humble beginnings as a songwriter, meeting and working in Kerry Livgren’s studio, meeting her manager Bill Evans and also discusses the new albums Prog-pop appeal.<\/p>\n

\"EvaHardrock Haven: First would you introduce yourself to our readers?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: Bonjour mes amis! Mon nom est Eva Kathryn. I am a singer, songwriter and keyboardist from Topeka, Kansas, USA. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: How did you begin to learn music? And what (or who) gave you the motivation to learn to express yourself through music?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: Music has been a part of my life for as long as I remember. When I was young, I would fall asleep listening to soundtracks of my favorite films. I would take specific songs from different soundtracks and make a playlist so that I could dream along to the music. How much sleep did this get me? Probably very little actually! I would make up my own stories to the music \u2026 I was a very odd child.<\/p>\n

My true love of music started, one night at the movies, when I was 13 years old. The movie was the A Perfect Storm<\/em>, I found myself moved to tears by the score, written by James Horner. I felt something so deep in that moment\u2026everything changed for me. Even so young, I knew there was something special there. I came home and started playing what I had heard. My parents bought me my first keyboard in 2000, a Kurzweil Mark 12, so that I could practice playing and eventually record my first compositions.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: How did you get in touch with Bill Evans? Why did you choose to work with him?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: Funny story. I was sitting next to my dad in church. He told me if I wanted to know more about music, to ask the man with the handle bar mustache sitting a few pews up. I was 13 years old and had no fear, (laughs). So as soon as the sermon was over, I ran up to this man and introduced myself. Little did I know that he was Kerry Livgren, the legend songwriter\/guitarist from the band Kansas. He smiled at me and told me to keep writing. I think my dad was shocked that I actually went up to him and acted like it was no big deal. My dad always told me if I wanted something bad enough to go after it. So as a 13 year old that was code to stalk Kerry Livgren, and call him repeatedly. How embarrassing now that I think about! I think I wore him down, and he said come to his studio. My Kurzweil had a little floppy disc, and I did not know enough about electronic thingies to think of bringing it to Kerry\u2019s studio. So my poor dad loaded that big honking keyboard in the back of his truck, and we drove it to the studio. I wanted Kerry to hear all of my string arrangements. He was very impressed, and offered to record a demo with me. So, at 13, there I was recording with Kerry Livgren. Except, I didn\u2019t know who he was, so I just had fun, after that was completed, he introduced me to Bill Evans who would later become my manager, and helped me take everything to the next level. And here we are. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: How would you describe this project?<\/p>\n

\"EvaEva Kathryn: Oh man, this is going to be one interesting album. It is very cinematic \u2026 almost like if the words weren\u2019t there, just the music would (hopefully) take you to the same place. When I think about it \u2026 I rather see a movie with no dialog than a film without music. That\u2019s how my mind works (in as much as it does). The music can still take me exactly where the film needs to go. With that being said, this album is my happy place. I have spent the last decade being yanked around in every direction. I have had so many people in my ear saying that I need to sing this or that kind of music \u2026 top 40 pop, jazz, orchestral, and everything in between.<\/p>\n

This year, I decided take a step back and write how I used to\u2014when it was fun and there were no expectations. I wasn\u2019t thinking trying to write a hit (whatever that really means) that was under 4 minutes. My new album has no rules. I am allowing myself to create something organic that gives me a smile. So, some of the songs are ones I wrote when I was 14 or 15 years old, I just updated them a little. I see my songs like the little \u201cCheese it\u201d commercial; \u201cAre they ready? No? Yes?\u201d Check. <\/p>\n

The other songs are from the last two years. Time-wise, it\u2019s really a songwriting sandwich. And very much like my personality, this album has some dark parts and some light parts \u2026 and it\u2019s all over the place!<\/p>\n

To continuing to read the interview click the link below:
\n<\/p>\n

Continued…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"EvaHardrock Haven: Being a solo artist could be seen as being free artistically but also very tough and a career full of doubt for some people. So, why did you choose to do a solo career than join in a band?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: I\u2019m still at the beginning of my journey. Part of me wonders if it\u2019s possible for band to come together and have a cohesive vision for an album \u2026 especially given the way I compose \u2026 with a score-like mentality. I love to play and collaborate with other people, though. It\u2019s a real blessing. I have just always had a very specific direction I wanted to go with my first album. Being a solo artist and writer gives me the reins to follow my muse, and hope it takes me where I want to go. But to get there, I need the help of other artists, and I\u2019m so grateful for the opportunity to work with them. <\/p>\n

Another reason that I approach music as a solo artist is that I grew up in a small town. It was really hard to find people who wanted to play the kind of music I was interested in! Thankfully, Bill Evans knew exactly where I was coming from, and really helped me organize my thoughts and writing to give my music purpose. I would sit and create an entire song with my piano and track all my string part ideas. Then, he would take it to the absolute next level \u2026 so the idea of a band was more for the performances later.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: I saw you have chosen some very talented musicians to work on your music. How was your collaboration like? Did they compose with you?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: There\u2019s a group of amazing musicians who are bringing my music to life, beyond what I could have imagined!<\/p>\n

Marco Minnemann played drums on nearly all my songs for this album. He seriously brought life to them. After listening back to his tracks, it was like I was hearing them for the first time. My anticipation for what happened next grew by leaps and bounds! I have so much respect for him as a human being. He really is a rare breed of person and artist. And friend.<\/p>\n

Michal Mierzjewski (Symphonic Theater of Dreams, Jordan Rudess, Flying Colors) arranged strings alongside Bill for my song, \u201cAwake.\u201d He was so amazing that I asked him to work with Bill on the rest of the album, too. It made me very happy that he graciously accepted. Collin Leijenaar (Neal Morse, Affector) has worked on some beautiful, impeccably recorded drums, as well. Daniel Fries (Affector) has performed some really sweet guitar, including the solo on \u201cAwake.\u201d Brendan McReynolds (Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder) has been doing recent vocal production, and providing lots of helpful feedback. Randy George (Neal Morse) will be playing some bass, which I\u2019m really excited about, too!<\/p>\n

In terms of songwriting, the only person I\u2019ve (so far) worked with is Randy McStine (Lo-Fi Resistance, Sound of Contact). We just started two weeks ago, and he\u2019s already brought some incredible creativity \u2026 especially with the bridge to a new song, \u201cMannequin.\u201d He\u2019s very gifted.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a layered approach. I\u2019ll sketch out a song in Logic, usually with a full arrangement and demo vocals. Bill and I then figure out what direction to the song should go (or is going). We\u2019ll collaborate on arrangements, and he\u2019ll add some instruments. When I\u2019m happy with the final demo, we\u2019ll reach out to these amazing people to continue the creative process, and bring the song to fruition. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Could you describe the genre of your music?<\/p>\n

\"awake\"Eva Kathryn: The term cross-over Prog comes to mind. Prog-pop? I don\u2019t really have a genre \u2026 I don\u2019t know. There are Prog elements in my songs, but I am not concerned with defining or blurring lines. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: As I could see, you’re working very hard on those new songs (with many vocal tracks). So what will it sound like? Will it be a kind of Devin Townsend result with a choir? Or will it be simpler?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: It\u2019s hard to say. You\u2019ll hear a lot of orchestral arrangements, complex playing (thanks to awesome collaborators), and a pop approach to melody. And there are a lot of choirs! Often, there\u2019s some tricky production. It comes down to whatever the song needs, which will hopefully make for some very interesting listening.<\/p>\n

As a writer, I always ask myself, \u201cWhat is going to serve the song?\u201d Then I just follow wherever that takes me. I don\u2019t really know until the smoke clears. If a song is asking for big vocals, then there will be forklift full of tracks. But then again, sometimes less is more. I try to use what seems appropriate and not be afraid to make judgment calls. <\/p>\n

As I listen to a \u201cfinished\u201d song, I might worry that I didn\u2019t sing this or that. At the end of the day, though, we can add and chop until the cows come home (which does happen where I\u2019m from). I view my album in a snapshot of musical development at a moment in time. So, as long as I get that right, it will be fairly eclectic, just like I seem to be. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Will you come to Europe to promote your work?<\/p>\n

Eva Kathryn: (Laughs) Yes how sweet of you to offer! Let me pack a few things and will head to the airport! I really like to thank you, Christophe Pauly, for reaching out to me to do this interview. Merci beaucoup! I look forward very much to sharing my music with you, and everyone else. <\/p>\n