Interview

We asked Katie when she first came to America. She told us, "We were here about a month ago and did a few small gigs--showcases--around bars in New York. They were short dates." And about her trip so far, she added, "I've been having a lot of fun. It's great being here." Noting our break in the summertime humidity, Katie remarked, "The weather has been very good. A lot less muggy." And, "Yeah, it's been really gorgeous over the weekend and today has been beautiful."

When asked where she'd been this tour, Katie said, "West coast, east coast, up to Canada too." And continued, "We went to the west coast, to LA and San Francisco, to Seattle and to Chicago. We were in Boston Saturday and we are going to Washington tomorrow. Then we are going to Atlanta." We were wanted to hear Katie's perspective on differences between UK and American audiences. She told us, "The American auciences are really no different from the UK audiences. It's just that different audiences have different ways of showing their appreciation. As long as they are clapping at the end of the song they like what they are hearing." She added, "Some venues are standing and others are sitting. There's definitely more going on when people are standing. People get more into the music when they are standing, they get more into the music. When they are sitting they listen more to the music. I like it when they dance along to the songs."

We asked Katie what she'd been up to in her spare time, especially since Sunday and earlier today had been available as down time. "I've been relaxing and just hanging around today I went to the park and did some writing." We remarked that some artists find touring is difficult. Katie told us, "This is what I live for. I love performing. Performing on stage in front of people is what it's all about." She added, "When I first started playing about five years ago, I performed in small pubs. It's a lot different now."

And about the reaction to her music so far, Katie said, "Well in the UK it's been amazing. I am on a small label and it took a while for the album to go to number one, but after that the response has been fantastic. It was only released in England and has only now been released here in America and we are looking at Europe. Because of this tremendous response, we're continuing to promote the album. It is is already a year old and we've moved on but instead of getting on with the next one we are releasing it in other countries. It's not what we planned originally."

So how do the audiences react to Katie's material when performed live? She told us, "[It has been] fantastic. It seems that people really enjoy my music and the performances." And how the performances differ from the album, she adds, "I've had time to learn the songs and sing them the way they should be sung. It's evolved a lot since we made the record. We completed the record almost a year ago now. I do a lot more with the songs." And how does she round out the show? Katie says, "Let's face it the album is only about 45 minutes and I need a longer show. So I've added a few cover tunes--more upbeat songs--and some other fun stuff and some new songs. There's no orchestra so we have had to change the sounds a bit."

We asked about the band. "I've got a strong rhythm section with bass and drums, piano and a trumpet; and guitar and keyboards to take on the parts of the orchestra." And what should we expect to hear? Katie answered, "For a start the twelve songs on the album but we've mixed in some fun covers which are more upbeat and two new songs from the upcoming album."

And the string of live performances have led Katie to be on a couple of nationally syndicated television shows. When asked about them, Katie said, "They went very well. That was a blast. I was on Good Morning America and a few other shows." Katie is asked frequently about work on the next album. "I've done some writing in additon to the two new songs in the show tonight and we'll probably go into the studio later this summer to put a couple of tracks down." So what can we expect to hear? "I've been doing a lot of writing so there will be more of my own songs. And the sound has evolved a lot since the first record." Readers will have to see Katie perform on stage to understand the extent of her response.

Plans for the follow-up are solidifying. Katie also spoke of a forthcoming DVD, "It [the DVD] was actually already recorded. We did it during the UK tour. In addition to the live performance we have some bonus material." Like music videos? "Yeah, that kind of thing." And she says, "We plan to release it in the wintertime, in time for Christmas."

We asked Katie her thoughts on the internet. She said, "It was a really helpful tool when we first started out. Initially when I wasn't that well known, the website was where people could find out about me. It took about five months for people to find out about me because we are on a small label. On the website we had a guestbook where people could leave messages." And what about downloading? "I think that downloading music is a great thing but if people don't buy the music that really sucks. But what can you do?"

Katie has a few more dates in this tour. She told us what's in store afterwards. "We are going to do a UK tour in July and I'm going on holiday in August. We plan to go to Europe when we release over there and then come back here." Our discussion concluded as the soundcheck had advanced to the point where it needed Katie's vocals to continue. We joined the soundcheck with Katie so we did missed the traditional mic checks of the drums and the initial checks of the various instruments that had likely been done to some extent before we came along. The entire band did bits of a few songs and then a full song. After that some of the musicians briefly departed leaving Katie and Mike to do a number. And then they did a couple of numbers with the whole band. The audio wasn't quite right but they pressed on and did a little more.

Perhaps the most notable part of Katie's soundcheck happened next. She just sort of hung out and did her own thing--bits of existing and new songs--for another 10-15 minutes or so and completed a proper vocal warmup while the sound guy fiddled with her monitor and guitar settings. No rock diva thing with everyone gathered round. Just Katie Melua. There was actually no "full on" song done during the check to ensure all of the levels were set appropriately. Yet as if by magic everything worked when they did the set.

Concert Review