FEATURE: Spotlight: Katy J Pearson — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

PHOTO CREDIT: @Sharon Lopez

Katy J Pearson

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A lot of radio stations…

PHOTO CREDIT: Phillip J Randall

are playing artists and songs that, to them, define this year. We are past the half-way point of 2020, and I am considering the albums, singles and artists who have made this year special. One of the bets new artists around is Katy J Pearson. I love her new single, Take Back the Radio, and how different it sounds to everything around. To me, there are elements of Stevie Nicks in Pearson’s voice – one can imagine Nicks being an influence on Pearson. I have been listening to Pearson for a little bit, and I wonder whether we will see an album later in the year. There is a lot of talk around her, and I am excited to see where she heads. Before moving on, here is an introduction and information about Pearson for the Heavenly Recordings website:

“A hazy dusk falls on a crossroads somewhere between Gloucestershire and Bristol. A wooden signpost points in two directions: good ol’ fashioned country heartache to the left; effortless pop hooks to the right – and underneath, cross-legged on still-warm car bonnet, sits Katy J Pearson, strumming an acoustic guitar as she spins a tale of blossoming dancefloor romance.

‘Tonight’ is the product of scrapping everything and going back to basics – Katy’s first outing as a solo artist after a joint project with her brother ran its course. Writing for her own enjoyment and “no longer writing songs for men in suits, or trying to impress them”, the springy riffs and sweet, upbeat melody of ‘Tonight’ were gently coaxed into being in Katy’s home city of Bristol, in her own time and on her own terms; the antithesis of the fast-paced, surreal and London-centric blur of her previous musical career.

The first of a handful of songs written during solo sessions at community artist space Island Studios, ‘Tonight’ was later recorded with Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, M. Ward, Perfume Genius, Gruff Rhys) at his studio, Toy Box. Its premise is classic and universally relatable: the meeting of two people, be it in a club or anywhere else, and how they are made instantly more vulnerable by their romantic spark.

With its wheedling strings and warm production, ‘Tonight’ sounds more tinged by the South Western states of America than the South West of England. But any country inclination is happily accidental, says Pearson – it just kind of happened. “People said I was sounding quite country and I hadn’t even realised – my eyes were opened!

For its physical release, the fizzing anticipation of new love captured on ‘Tonight’ is perfectly counterbalanced with a tender and soulful B-side ballad – a cover of M. Ward’s ‘Poison Cup’. Though similarly romantically-inclined with a softly-country-round-the-edges vibe, ‘Poison Cup’ sees Pearson strip instrumental accompaniment way back, allowing her striking voice to take the front seat, and further cementing the message: here is Katy J Pearson in her most undiluted form”.

I do like the fact that there is a mixture of the British countryside and America in Katy J Pearson’s music. I can imagine the songwriter playing in America in the future and maybe living there for a bit. When one listens to a Katy J Pearson song, you get all these emotions and colours that flood forth. They are so deep and interesting.

Her music is getting some love from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, and I know there is going to be a lot of demand for her when we are allowed to go to gigs again. I want to pinch some words from a few interviews, as it gives context and detail regarding this fantastic artist. I mentioned Stevie Nicks earlier and, when Pearson spoke did an interview with Fred Perry last year, Fleetwood Mac were mentioned:

“Describe your style in three words?

1970’s Texas Mom.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?

Fleetwood Mac since they’ve been one of my favourite bands since I was a little ween - I used to have a tape recorder that had 'Little Lies' on it - and Interpol - only got into them a few years ago but that first record is so raw it’s unreal.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

The 1970s folk scene and New Romantics; both such an interesting time for fashion and music”.

Hey You is another fantastic track from Katy J Pearson that I have been listening to a lot lately. I do really love singers who have a dreaminess and whisper to their voice, yet there is a lot of power and sweetness too. Whilst I have compared Pearson to Stevie Nicks, I think that would be unfair. Pearson’s voice is very much her own, and the composition is fantastic.

With Pearson’s vocals layered and providing this wonderful harmony, there is a blend of the warmth from the organ and something a little more emotional and sadder in the lyrics – as Pearson offers a hand and a shoulder to a friend in need. One might assume that Katy J Pearson is very fresh on the scene and has not recorded much before. She is with Heavenly Recordings now, but she had a whole different musical life before signing to them. When she spoke with Loud and Quiet earlier in the year, Pearson talked about that phase of her life – and how important Bristol is to her:

“Before penning the dream deal with indie heartthrob Heavenly Records, Katy was in a hype band with her brother called Ardyn. A major label deal and three EP releases down, they were dropped before putting out a debut album. It was the kind of situation where parameters for success had to become recalibrated – 14 million streams just don’t cut it. “When we were dropped, my brother and I moved back home, and he had glandular fever and so I just went into the studio every day by myself, using Logic and started writing. It was hard work, once you’ve been on such a busy journey. As soon as it stops you hit the rock bottom… or at least, a very low point. Maybe that was how I was able to write these very personal songs. I was writing to make myself feel better rather than writing to do something for my career. It definitely gives you a bit of a kick, too. When it’s only you, you realise that you’ve got to do all the work or literally nothing happens.

“When I was signed to a bigger label and had more of a monthly income, I found it so detrimental because I wasn’t doing anything but sitting there and trying to write. When you’re busy, it’s so much better for your head, being able to live and let the creativity hit you. Being able to take time over it is so important. And I enjoy working, it gives me balance.”

Bristol has been an essential part of nurturing this new creative world around her. “It’s such a lovely music scene, and there’s a bit more space to grow,” she says. “Everyone’s doing entirely different things – Scalping are doing heavy rock, techno, massive vibes, and then there’s Grandma’s House who are my really good friends – they do this surfy post-punk thing. Then there’s Fenne Lily doing folk. I dunno, there’s not really anyone doing exactly the same thing, which feels special. You don’t think about Bristol and easily categorise it”.

I am not sure what the immediate future holds for Pearson, but I can imagine she is keen to perform as soon as possible. It does seem like her signing with Heavenly Recordings has been a real turning point, and I would not be shocked if we saw a lot more songs coming out before the end of this year. I will wrap things up soon, but I have been scouring interviews and looking online, in an attempt to discover more about Katy J Pearson and her musical world.

PHOTO CREDIT: @downatthefront

In a recent interview with Groovy Tunes, she was asked about Take Back the Radio, and creating this unique visual persona:

“Now that you have the freedom to write about topics and themes of your own choosing, are things naturally pouring out of you? Has your subconscious been expressing things you might not have realized you had or were feeling?

Yes for sure... but it doesn’t happen all the time. I feel like at the moment it’s such a surreal and strange situation that I’m finding it hard to draw upon just one feeling or emotion when I write, as I’m feeling quite a few at once.

You’ve got this very authentic sweet country gal persona that can be seen through your quirky music video but also the way you perform live. At what point did you start to cultivate the visual aspect to this personality? Were you always attracted to the rhinestone/twangy/southern look you present?

Thank you! Well I’ve always loved denim and rhinestones a lot. But I think the more I got closer to my sound and style the more confident I became with the visual aspect. I think it was from day 1 really I started dressing pretty western on stage but I love it.

You recently released your new single ‘Take Back The Radio.’ With the certain world situation, was this a natural pick for your next release?

Yes definitely! I think right now is a time where there are no rules really so we were like let’s do ‘Take Back The Radio’ next. I’m so glad we released in this time period as it seems to have really connected with people which is so so wonderful.

You had Davey Newington (Boy Azooga) and your flatmate Laurie Nankivell (Squid) get involved by bringing in drums, cornet, and various other textures to the piece. Is it sort of a breath of fresh air to have that community of other Bristol musicians there to get involved and support you in your work? People with similar artistic tastes and styles?

Yes so so much! It was loads of fun and just really exciting to have new faces in the studio with me. They are both so talented so it was a real pleasure to collaborate with them”.

Go and follow Katy J Pearson and check out all of her music. She is one of the most promising artists of this year, and I would love to see her play when gigs start back up. I adore her voice and aesthetic; how her songs have a personal touch, but they are wider and more all-encompassing than a lot of songwriters – one feels a part of her music. I also really like the fact that she is growing in confidence and is primed to be this big artist. Ensure you follow her movements, as she is as truly phenomenal proposition. If you are new to the music of Katy J Pearson, then change that right away, as, very soon, you will be hearing…