Biography
Sometimes, to find a great artist, you have to go beyond what the mainstream media offers and look around. Kate is one of those fine artists you would find if you took that less traveled road. She has the magnetic combination of an extraordinary and powerful voice:
“the voice of an angel”
Maya Angelou
"Kate sings with the type of raw tenacity that separates your standard female singer songwriters from your great ones”
Alan Cackett, Maverick Magazine
remarkable songs that are at once deeply personal and yet universal:
“Wallace’s music waxes a rich artful beauty of which only the most accomplished are capable. She proves herself to be an exquisite exponent of her craft.”
Maurice Hope, Maverick Magazine
and the ability to move an audience to laughter, tears or thoughtful sighs with her quick wit, soulful observations and moving songs, perfectly described as “Amereclectic” by fellow folk poet, Michael Camp. Wherever she plays, Kate is always a festival crowd favorite (Kerrville, Napa, Bliss, Wildflower, The Troubador, Cactus Cafe, Fiddler’s Green & MANY MORE).It is, perhaps, Kate’s musical role models that give her songs and performance a familiar sparkle in whatever genre. Her style respectfully reflects some of her favorites from the country folk end of the spectrum (Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith) through the pop world (Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks) and over to the folk scene (Patti Griffin, Shawn Colvin). Though influenced by these great artists, Kate’s own style is absolutely unique:
“I love Kate. I love her music and I’ll baby-sit her dog anytime”.
John Jennings, artist & producer
" I LOVE to hear her sing!"
John Stewart
Kate spent several years as a well respected member of the writing and performing community in Nashville where she was a a staff writer at Polygram, had songs cut by the famous and infamous, and got to hang with the best players/writers imaginable:
“ The first time I heard Kate play and sing, I knew she was a great talent and one of the best up-and-coming singer songwriters. I have always believed in her ability and think she is an extremely gifted artist. ‘Bill’s Old Truck” is a song I’ll never forget, it doesn’t get much better than that. I’m proud to have co-written ‘Whisper Something Sweet’ on her first release, ‘Kate Wallace, ‘on the Honest label.”
Rory Bourke, Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter
and recorded three highly acclaimed CDs while there:
“Kate Wallace", “ An exceptional release” Billboard Magazine
“Two Lane America” “This CD ripples along so nicely, you can almost see the pickers smiling.”
Robert Oermann, Music Row Magazine
“Too Long from the Sea” “Wallace demonstrates a versatility in performance and material which is both rare and welcome.”
Rambles Magazine
Since the release of these highly regarded CDs, Kate has returned to California where she has produced and released two new CDs on her own label, New Pair O’Dimes. One, called Artists for Change, includes songs from some of Kate’s good friends like, Greg Greenway, Michael Lille, Sally Barris, James McVay , johnsmith, and Caren Armstrong. This CD was made to benefit JEM, an organization that promotes global economic justice.
And, in 2007, Kate released the CD, Politics and Religion, which diverges a bit from her earlier CDs and is equally highly regarded:
"Wallace’s voice is like rain pouring over caked-brown dirt, delivering heartfelt lyrics and providing hope for change. When I first received a copy of the CD, I couldn’t stop listening."
Felicia Tomasko, Santa Barbara Independent
“There's no finger-pointing here, just a call to consider where one stands. Kate Wallace is a rare singer songwriter with a lot on her mind, which she has always spoken freely. She made an indelible impression on so many of us in the ten years she spent in Nashville.”
Frank Goodman, puremusic.com
“The three songs which do not originate from her pen fit seamlessly in with her own writing and each of them on their own is worth the asking price of the album. The first of these, Spirit, was written by John Stewart who shares the vocals with Kate. The delivery is nothing short of stunning and left this reviewer returning to it time and again in order to absorb every note, every syllable.”
Al Moir, Maverick Magazine
In addition to recording, touring and performing, Kate books the popular acoustic concert series, Trinity Backstage (www.trinitybackstage.com), in Santa Barbara and has written 11 new songs for a new project and is pondering what form this project will take. More info on Kate can be found at her website, www.katewallace.com. Her CDs are available at her website as well as at iTunes.
Kate is endorsed by and LOVES to play,
Elixir Guitar Strings.
Instrumentation
Kate Wallace on acoustic guitar.
Usually that's plenty, but when requested, David West, Doug Clegg or Michael Lille accompanies me. Then it's really fun. And-- cool bass players & drummers abound. So I can be virtually any configuration as the gig requires.
Discography
Kate Wallace, Honest Records, Nashville, TN
Two Lane America, New Pair O'Dimes, Nashville, TN
Too Long From the Sea, Nashville,TN
Artists for Change, New Pair O' Dimes,Santa Barbara, CA
Politics & Religion, New Pair O'Dimes Music, Santa Barbara, CA
WUMB in Boston, KCBX in CA, Women of Substance Web Radio, various NPR Folk shows, Grassy Hill Streaming Radio, Pandora & others are kind enough to play a variety of my songs. Bless them all.
Links
| http://www.katewallace.com |