Swimming Bell
Q&A 2nd May 2019
Swimming Bell is the solo project of Brooklyn based singer songwriter Katie Schottland.
With our first interview of 2019 we catch up with Katie who released her debut solo album 'Wild Sight' on 5th April 2019 (our featured #AlbumOfTheMonth for May 2019).
How and when did you first get interested in music?
I’ve always loved music. My mom used to sing to us a lot, and we always had music in the house for as long as I can remember. I took some piano and violin lessons as a kid, but never really studied it.
What is the first song you remember hearing?
I’m not sure if this is the first song I remember hearing, but it’s one that stands out to me. My mom used to sing 'Hush-a-Bye' by Peter, Paul, and Mary. She’d sing it to us at night. I still love that song.
What is the main thing that inspired you to want to become a musician?
When I first started playing music about 5 years ago, it wasn’t so much that something inspired me to become a musician. It was more that I slowly began to focus on it, and eventually found myself engulfed in it. It wasn’t really my plan to become a musician, until one day I realized I don’t know what else to do!
What is the first instrument you learned to play?
The very first instrument I ever kind of learned was the glockenspiel. My mom put my brother and me in “kinder-music” when I was about 3.
First live performance?
My first live performance was an open mic with a friend of mine, in Brooklyn. It was at Pete’s Candy Store and I was so nervous. I only played one song, along with another friend playing along with me. It was so fun though, that I caught the bug!
Who are your favourite bands and musicians? Influences?
Some big influences for my latest release, and in general are Beck's 'Sea Change', Pink Floyd’s 'Dark Side Of The Moon', Nick Drake, Wand, Tomo Nakayama, Katie Mullins, Paul Simon, Fiona Apple, and The Beatles’ 'Abbey Road'.
Favourite single(s) and album(s)?
I’d say the answer above is probably the same. :)
When did you write your first song and what was it about?
I wrote my very first song when I was about 29. It was about a past relationship that I was still dealing with. It ended very dramatically, but we had been best friends for so long it was hard to let that go. It was the little things I noticed that made it so hard. We actually ended up working on the song together eventually.
Do you have a structured approach to writing songs?
I don’t really have a structure when I write. Often times I’ll just jot things down in my phone. Little observances, or lines that pop in my head. I’ll refer back later to see if I can make a song around it. Other times, I’ll just go into my studio and play chords and sing gibberish until something clicks.
How would you describe your music and sound?
I would say that my music is close to neo/experimental folk. Or at least that’s what people have said. Because I came to music so late in the game, I don’t really think about the style I’m making. It’s just a song to me and as I start to record it, I start to get more creative with the sounds. I guess that’s where the “experimental” part comes in.
Your debut recording 'The Golden Heart' EP was released in October 2017. You worked with producer Oli Deakin (aka Lowpines) for the first time on this EP. How did this happen? Has he influenced your songwriting and sound?
I met Oli in New York and we quickly became good friends. I checked out his own music, that I knew he had recorded himself, and asked if he would work with me to demo some songs. At the time I had an Americana band, and had a handful of songs that we didn’t play for whatever reason. He said he’d help me if he could! That’s what turned into 'The Golden Heart' EP. :) Since then, he’s been incredibly supportive and generous with his advice and ideas for pushing forward. I’m sure he’s had some influence on my songwriting, but mostly in the production that we do together and making plans for the future. I love the sounds he gets, and he understands my novice explanation of what things I like to hear.
With our first interview of 2019 we catch up with Katie who released her debut solo album 'Wild Sight' on 5th April 2019 (our featured #AlbumOfTheMonth for May 2019).
How and when did you first get interested in music?
I’ve always loved music. My mom used to sing to us a lot, and we always had music in the house for as long as I can remember. I took some piano and violin lessons as a kid, but never really studied it.
What is the first song you remember hearing?
I’m not sure if this is the first song I remember hearing, but it’s one that stands out to me. My mom used to sing 'Hush-a-Bye' by Peter, Paul, and Mary. She’d sing it to us at night. I still love that song.
What is the main thing that inspired you to want to become a musician?
When I first started playing music about 5 years ago, it wasn’t so much that something inspired me to become a musician. It was more that I slowly began to focus on it, and eventually found myself engulfed in it. It wasn’t really my plan to become a musician, until one day I realized I don’t know what else to do!
What is the first instrument you learned to play?
The very first instrument I ever kind of learned was the glockenspiel. My mom put my brother and me in “kinder-music” when I was about 3.
First live performance?
My first live performance was an open mic with a friend of mine, in Brooklyn. It was at Pete’s Candy Store and I was so nervous. I only played one song, along with another friend playing along with me. It was so fun though, that I caught the bug!
Who are your favourite bands and musicians? Influences?
Some big influences for my latest release, and in general are Beck's 'Sea Change', Pink Floyd’s 'Dark Side Of The Moon', Nick Drake, Wand, Tomo Nakayama, Katie Mullins, Paul Simon, Fiona Apple, and The Beatles’ 'Abbey Road'.
Favourite single(s) and album(s)?
I’d say the answer above is probably the same. :)
When did you write your first song and what was it about?
I wrote my very first song when I was about 29. It was about a past relationship that I was still dealing with. It ended very dramatically, but we had been best friends for so long it was hard to let that go. It was the little things I noticed that made it so hard. We actually ended up working on the song together eventually.
Do you have a structured approach to writing songs?
I don’t really have a structure when I write. Often times I’ll just jot things down in my phone. Little observances, or lines that pop in my head. I’ll refer back later to see if I can make a song around it. Other times, I’ll just go into my studio and play chords and sing gibberish until something clicks.
How would you describe your music and sound?
I would say that my music is close to neo/experimental folk. Or at least that’s what people have said. Because I came to music so late in the game, I don’t really think about the style I’m making. It’s just a song to me and as I start to record it, I start to get more creative with the sounds. I guess that’s where the “experimental” part comes in.
Your debut recording 'The Golden Heart' EP was released in October 2017. You worked with producer Oli Deakin (aka Lowpines) for the first time on this EP. How did this happen? Has he influenced your songwriting and sound?
I met Oli in New York and we quickly became good friends. I checked out his own music, that I knew he had recorded himself, and asked if he would work with me to demo some songs. At the time I had an Americana band, and had a handful of songs that we didn’t play for whatever reason. He said he’d help me if he could! That’s what turned into 'The Golden Heart' EP. :) Since then, he’s been incredibly supportive and generous with his advice and ideas for pushing forward. I’m sure he’s had some influence on my songwriting, but mostly in the production that we do together and making plans for the future. I love the sounds he gets, and he understands my novice explanation of what things I like to hear.
What is the story, background and inspiration for the collection of songs on your solo debut album 'Wild Sight’?
‘Wild Sight’ were mostly new and unfinished songs I had begun writing after I put out the EP. I use a loop pedal in my live show, so I started writing a little more with that in mind. I also began to write with the intention of making a record. Unlike the EP which were kind of just leftover songs. A couple of the songs were finished after we had already begun to record. I can remember finishing the lyrics to ‘Got Things’ at Oli’s house in Ealing while he was out playing a Sofar Sounds show.
How was the songwriting and recording process for the album compared to the earlier EP?
The process was similar, except we knew that we wanted to get some drums on a number of the songs. Again, because this record was more intentional, there was an excitement going into it knowing that the songs were already starting to develop, or had been developed in my live show. With the EP, I hadn’t ever played any of those songs live before so that process was a lot more trial and error, or just trying different things out.
The internet has changed the landscape of the music industry and made it easier for musicians to record and make their music available. Do you see this as a positive thing?
I think it’s great for people to be able to make music and share it, and it certainly is easier with the internet and the different platforms. With that said, it also adds the challenge of being heard. Spotify is basically the new radio and it’s a select group of folks to determine who gets on a playlist. But I think if you can persevere and commit to your craft, eventually your voice will shine through (I hope!). Because I’m still so new to this, I’m still amazed when people react so well to my music. But then again, I’d love to get more listeners. :)
Music format of choice - CD, digital or vinyl?
Vinyl! (But in my day to day digital, since I’m often moving through the city)
What was the most recent music you bought?
I recently bought a digital record for someone. It was Tomo Nakayama’s ‘Fog On The Lens’. I cover his song on ‘Wild Sight’ called 'Cold Clear Moon'. I think that record is so fantastic, I’ve bought it for a few people!
Highlight(s) in music so far?
A highlight for me recently was going on tour and playing my songs with a full band. Connecting with other people on stage is sublime. But overall I think the best part about playing music are the connections you make in general. With other musicians who you share a bill with, the people attending the shows - the web is wide but always connected and it makes the world feel more manageable.
Plans and ambitions for 2019 and beyond?
A big goal for 2019 would be to open for a larger band on tour. Someone who’s already got a fanbase. I also want to record more music!
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