Kat Mulvaney
New York City, New York, United States
Music
Press
Songwriting major. These two words put together can strike fear into the hearts of most parents with kids going off to college. The only two words that could possibly be worse would be “art school.” Making it as a songwriter can be about as easy as building a brick wall using only one’s forehead, and many parents wouldn’t be able to deal with studies that don't transition easily into a lucrative career. Things are a bit different for up-and-coming singer/songwriter (and Berklee songwriting major) Kat Mulvaney. She’s got support on the home front, and with good reason, as her talent was clear during her live set at the WERS studio.
Kat’s parents were both Berklee students, so they know where Kat is coming from. Obviously music has been ever-present in Kat’s life: “There was always music going on, and my parents and I would share songs…They’re very hippy.” Her parents are still both musicians, as well as her brother, and they’ve all performed together in the past. Having musical parents certainly helps when choosing a major like songwriting: “My parents have always been supportive when I decided to go for it [becoming a songwriter], because they both had gone for it.”
Her dad even helped her put together her current demo, which she played a few songs off of for WERS listeners. She has a strong voice, with a somewhat breathy/whispery female John Mayer like quality to it, but she also can let loose and belt it out when she wants to. This, combined with some interesting chord choices, sets her apart from other more run-of-the mill singer/songwriters, of which there are plenty. She’s now looking for a place to put together a full-length album, which she assembled songs for after a spell of writer’s block: “I have some more songs written that I’m really happy about. I was going through a bit of a dry spell, because of school, and just psychologically.” Right now Mulvaney is ready to take the next step, playing more and putting together a strong full-length album. And if her demo and live WERS performance are any indication, she’s already got a leg up on a lot of her peers.
www.myspace.com/katmulvaney
- Thom Plasse
- WERS 88.9 fm wers.org
Discography
Glimpse: Kat Mulvaney released last year
All songs are on myspace.com
(Currently working on her first full CD)
Photos
Bio
"Her lyrics, sometimes vulnerable and sweet, sometimes raw, suggestive and even sexual, provided an insight into her understated complexity as an artist...She's fun, she's cute, she's talented, and she's edgy - all the right ingredients for an inspired musical experience." Dave Dircks (Host of Acoustic Long Island
The #1 Acoustic Podcast in iTunes)
Kat Mulvaney is a singer/songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Drawing influence from Jazz, Folk, Pop, Rock, Soul and Gospel, her unique sound and sultry voice has garnered buzz throughout the Northeast. Raised by two musician parents, she was exposed to music at an early age. Tagging along on gigs, she learned the ropes of the “biz” by observing her parents perform jazz clubs and events. Also active members of society, they taught Kat the importance of being involved in the community and having an awareness of the world around her. She was also enriched by secular music, growing up in the Gospel tradition at the local congregational church. This commitment to social causes has directly affected Kat’s songwriting style. The idea that “music can change the world” is an underlying theme throughout much of her music.
Drawing from personal and life experiences, Kat applies her unique style of storytelling to uncover the moments that define the human condition. From the depth of heartbreak to friendship and the possibilities of things unfolding, she writes with a deep understanding of the human heart. She captures the melancholy of being at your lowest lows, and the excitement of rising to your highest high. Always intensely personal, her songs are infused with a silver lining of hope and truth of experience.
Kat’s sound has been shaped and cultivated over the years through various life experiences. In addition to her parent’s musical education, she first tested her songwriting abilities at summer camp. The years attending theater camp and being a part of creating original musicals, gave Kat the space and experience to experiment with different sounds and genres of music. In addition to honing her personal voice, she learned to think on a bigger scale by writing songs with harmonies for large choirs of 40-50 teens. These summers spent creating were highly influential in her decision to study songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. While there she studied under the tutelage of songwriting greats including Henry Gaffney, Pat Pattison and Livingston Taylor.
Forever challenging herself and expending as an artist, her song catalogue continues to grow more diverse and inventive.
Never satisfied to rest on her laurels, Kat is determined to always best herself. Whether by creating more complex guitar parts, writing edgier lyrics, or pushing herself to give a more raw live performance, her drive is what motivates her forward. To dive deeper into the understanding of her soul to find the inspiration for her next catchy chorus.
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