No Guts, No Glory - RattleMag and singer/songwriter Kat Lively discuss what it takes to chase your d
- rattlemag
- May 16, 2016
- 9 min read
Many may daydream, but can you really imagine taking the last $300 you have to your name and moving across the country, knowing nothing awaited you on the other side, save for the holographic empire of your own hopes and dreams? The gypsy moth heart of singer and guitarist Kat Lively flew to the flame of the burning Los Angeles skyline upon a greyhound bus. Here, the invisible lure held in a pulse that screamed for the colour of a life more lived, ripened into a crescendo of a sunset that called her to the battle stations of the art that lived inside. From that moment forth, Alabama was a sunbleached memory, and Ms Lively belonged to the city of Angels.
Of course though the hammer of the drums in our march with self-destiny are always poignant as above, the reality, as ever, was a whole lot grittier. Kat's purchase had been a one way ticket, and there was no room for fear or turning back. Like many of LA's starstruck expats, it was a make or break deal. Despite having endured a welcome oleaginous with drudgery, that saw her living in a communal building in the rabble of Mid-Whilshire's 'K-Town', where her tiny personal quarters were squared off with the ambient lend of some nice choice um...shower curtains, Kat Lively is a tour de force in determination and adherence to her own ideal.
The 22 year old songbird is currently in the studio working on her debut EP with Smashing Pumpkins producer, Kevin Dippold. The self titled product will be available later on this year.
She is a self styled muse of painted visionary with a huge mountain to climb, but it is a climb that she seems to thrive on. She's got her eyes on the prize and she wants to look good doing it. Lively cites a wide range of influence, from folk and pop-punk to a love affair with the late great star-man David Bowie, and professes to RattleMag that she walks the divide in the riptide of eras, her leather booted feet wandering the planes of 2016's Kardashian scattered boulevard, but her head (and playlist) often firmly stuck in the 70's and 80's. She has won recognition from some of her more personal influences, including Lushtologist master of the puppets, the darkly sainted alternative art captain John Roecker; and Billy Bones of the Skulls, a punk band widely considered to be one of the first in LA.
Lively is still a startup with a whole lot to learn, but nonetheless demonstrates the merit of motif in the entertainment capital of the world, that echos the wanton call of countless thousands who long to trade the rat race for a rocket to moon, and become a valued part of the Golden state's biggest export. It serves to occasionally remind - All that glitters is not gold, sometimes it's the sweat on your brow, the blood on your knees, the tears on your cheeks and perhaps just the faintest glimmer of luck.
RattleMag sat down with Kat Lively, often these days to be found in the sway of a long folksy sweater, V neck and a pair of Windsor glasses, to hear a little more about her outlook and her personal journey that holds the refracted prisms of every rise and fall ever made in the valley of California's stardom springboard.
RattleMag: A lot of people have that dream at some point, where they want to be a musician, in reality it takes some hard work and quite often, the very skin off your fingertips. Where was Kat Lively 'born'?
Kat: I was physically born in Denver Colorado, but Kat Lively was born before my first gig in Alabama last June. I had been playing an open mic and someone came to me after and said, "Why are you not doing this? Why are you not out there trying to make something of yourself?" I guess I'd never really thought about it, you know? This person offered me $300 and so I went home, learned a bunch of covers, wrote 4 originals in 3 weeks....but as I was creating the flyer for the show, I thought to myself "My real name won't do. I cannot see that being on a flyer or in lights. What describes me? What 'rings'?"....and with this, Kat Lively was born.
RattleMag: So how much of a part did Kat Lively play in your decision to move to LA?
Kat: I think even if I was not playing music I would have gone to California eventually. I've always fancied Los Angeles and grew up visiting the city as a child. It wasn't so much "This is why I'm going to LA" but rather I was kind of a ticking timebomb. I was 'homesick' for years. Being Kat Lively on stage is a thrill. It's a backbone and a half when she kicks in, and you know the show is on.
RattleMag: So being Kat Lively has certainly given you a sense of confidence - tell us what kind of an artist Kat Lively is, both musically and in general.
Kat: Thats an interesting question...
"Kat Lively is - beginning. On the way to what she will become if you will. She is the reclusive artist in a trench coat, alone in the back of a bar but completely sober. The Rock n Roll impulse of creation and connection, with sharp eyes and a warm heart. She is also the polite and outgoing humble soul to all. It really depends on the day. It's not hard to tell when you come across her....."
Kat: I write original songs with meaning and about life experience. If it doesn't exist come from the heart - it doesn't truly exist in my catalog. Final word. It's difficult to define my sound and the inner workings so early on in the game. A bit of glam infused with Blues and folk. I really adore David Bowie, Roxy music,...even The Smiths sort of new wave. The future will tell though... One thing is for sure, I am not afraid to explore, to experiment with sounds, to collaborate or to open my ears to potential and new ideas and perspective.
RattleMag: So if you were on the outside looking in? What would you be asking Kat Lively about herself?
Kat: ..."What won't you do?" ..In regards to covering every base in music. Trying to do it all at least once.
RattleMag: Moving to Los Angeles from small town Alabama.....there had to be sense of culture shock in that change of pace? What things have stood out to you, or have changed your perspective and taught you about personal direction?
Kat: There was a grand culture shock. Enormous. In the south it can be very judgmental. But also in a way people are nicer, it all just depends. I'm a city person, a traveller. I like to be around the traffic, chaos and eccentricities. I am proud of the town that I lived in down south, because it gave me an appreciation that I would not have obtained otherwise. I can understand why many would want that pace of life, and I am still very close with people who still live there today. It certainly does make me appreciate the west coast much more though. I love the ocean, the music, the fast lane. I'm too 'Lively' to sit still. I'm on this journey with complete direction to the sun.
RattleMag: So what's a normal day in your life these days?
Kat: Is there such thing as normal? I wake up mid morning, start the coffee, check my social media/ promote if I need to, update current events and so forth... Then - I look for either adventure or a chance to create. Like many artists I'm not the kind of person that is going to do well in an average or 'normal' type job, so I work part time and create and travel the rest of the days. I am all for trying to mold my life into such a form where I can play music, travel and create as much as possible, as often as possible. I am always on the hunt for new projects, new people to create alongside. Of course there are those solid hours of alone time, where the world goes away and I'll stick myself in a room with all my instruments and just see what happens.
I'm quite infatuated with the 70's thru 80's, so a lot of the time during the day I'm listening to something like Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed or Roxy music...even Big Star. I don't go out much or party. It's a stigma people have got with musicians. More often than not I'm at home creating instead of out attending events and such. I like to network, but honestly I'd rather be the one on stage - not looking up at the band.
RattleMag: So you don't want to be associated with the portrayal of the stereotypical youth of the LA music scene? More of a gentle but wholly determined artist?
Kat: Exactly. My main vision (for image) is for people to see me and think "Wow she's been through so much yet here she is playing music and looking sharp, living life her own way. Maybe I can do that too!". Having and holding vision is wonderful.
RattleMag: So you take a certain pride in your appearance?
Kat: I do take a pride in fashion and in my appearance. Despite some of my influences I'm not the DIY type, or punk rock by any means. I see a lot of bands my age who thrive on DIY, chuck taylors and getting wasted - that is not me. It never will be. I want more, even in this infant stage of making music I'm taking it seriously. I'm my own kind of snob but I don't judge anyone either - I just have a very focused vision of what I want for myself. With an influence like Bowie....that just runs off. He was all about being professional and 'together'. That type of respect is wonderful. I want it to last because it's not just fun, it's a passion, I want it to be my life.
I thrive on quality. I feel like if I want to be taken seriously in music and not just the DIY venues etc, then I've got to look the part and act as such. I enjoy fashion, as a means to style and edge. I'm not the type that follows the magazine etc to religiously check what is in style - I do follow what I like and dress to reflect that. I just prefer to be professional and discreet. You're never going to see me drinking or getting caught in some wave of ' fuck everyone else I'm just going to make music', I want to contribute to music as a whole. Inside and out.
RattleMag: So you're in the process of recording right now?
Kat: Yes there's a lot of wonderful things in the mix. I can't wait for the final product!
RattleMag: ..you've also played publicly, from stage shows to Kaotic Radio and Sonicbox sessions. What has the reaction been?
Kat: The public reaction has been fantastic. To my surprise I even had two of my influences tell me they love my music too and that was a feeling like no other. My friend introduced me to Billy Bones after a gig he played. We shook hands and he said "Kat Lively? ..Like who was on the radio the other day? I loved what I heard" That made my night! It's been beautiful feedback and that's obviously wonderful. I can be hard on myself and my work, but I'm very happy others enjoy it - I hope they continue to. RattleMag: So how about your kit to give us a feel for sound? Do you play any other instruments besides guitar...
Kat: I own an Epiphone Les Paul. A custom Fender Strat, she's beautiful...and also a Yamaha acoustic. I did have more but moving from Alabama on the bus, I had to leave a few behind. I can also play Djimbe (west African goblet drum somewhat similar to a bongo), a little bit of bass and harmonica and a smidge of simple piano.
RattleMag: You're a pretty good lyricist. Can you leave us with a few choice lyrics are meaningful to yourself?
Kat: Yes! A few verses - 'I've been living with a lion inside my heart , I've been fueling fires, needed water from the start.' also 'By the time you're home, I'll be safe and further gone, across the world, across the universal pond. If you should lie awake at night, to dream of me. Look out the window of your mind - in the galaxy I'll be'.
Have you ever wondered if it was worth doing what Kat has done? Every story in music starts with talent or passion, often both. You might not be ready to take a $300 50/50 gamble on the big city just yet, but you're one step closer the moment you write, sing, or play a single note. Never be afraid to try.
Kat Lively is partnered with Sonicbox.com and will be live streaming Monday-Friday at 2:30pm. You have a chance to watch her play music and to interact with her.
You can also find her on Soundcloud, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the handle 'katlivelyca'.
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