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The Argotist Online |
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Kate
Garner
Kate Garner is a singer/songwriter noted for her unique piano-based songs and 'quintessentially English' lyrics. Kate has played hundreds of gigs across the UK ranging from small clubs to The Hackney Empire. Her most notable gigs to date include The Royal Albert Hall alongside Roger Daltrey and Van Morrison, and The London Palladium with her dad, Chas from 'Chas and Dave'. At the piano, Kate often performs her material solo but sometimes with her 4-piece backing band. Kate writes all of her own material with influences ranging from Cole Porter to The Beatles. As well as her own material, Kate has co-written for other artists. She co-wrote and sang 3 songs on a recent album by U.S. artist Robbie Rivera. She co-wrote and sang Formatic's recent top 10 hit 'Over To You' and their latest single which was featured heavily on Channel 4's Sugar Rush. Kate has also written music for a number of TV shows, including VH1 America's BSTV. Kate is currently working up new band members and recording a new album.
Q:
Do you think of your lyrics as poetry? A:
If
the lyrics come before the music, then sometimes, yes. Q:
Do
you think it is important that songs rhyme and if so why? A:
It depends on the style of the song. Sometimes a certain chord can make a word
seem like it rhymes, even when technically, it doesn't. I also like rhyming a
word mid sentence at the point of a favourite chord change, instead of at the
end of the line. Q:
Do
you think song lyrics must conform to recognised song structures such as clear
rhyming schemes, choruses, refrains, hooks and bridges or that songs can also be
like free verse? A:
You
can make your own rules, but personally I think structure acts in the same way
rhythm does. It sets a solid template to experiment within it. Q:
When
you read poetry in school or elsewhere did you recognize any connection to the
music you enjoyed? A:
When
I read Stevie Smith's 'Not waving But Drowning' at college, I appreciated the
way that it's desperate message was delivered so simply. The kind of songs I've
always loved the most, are exactly that; strong, but simple. Q:
Was
there anything about poetry in books that influenced your songwriting? A:
Maybe
subconsciously. Again short and simple has always been my mantra! Q:
Why
do you think songs are more popular with people than poetry is? A:
Because
they're easier to share. A song has melody and rhythm that can be understood
whatever language you speak, whereas a poem would need translating.
copyright
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