A Beautifully Honest new EP from Katie Cole
A new release from Katie Cole manages to build out a series of truths from a very beautiful and personal perspective, and she doesn't hold back in terms of lyrics, vulnerability, and just letting that persona really shine.
Her EP delves into all kinds of honesty, and after listening to it a few times, you can clearly tell that this is an artist who puts pieces of herself into her music.
Certain tracks feel like they may have been cathartic for her to write and release. It's a record that creates amazingly lush sounds that range from contemporary pop to Americana.
The whole thing is performed with an elegance. There's a graceful sort of approach to the way that she sings and also the way the songs come through aesthetically.
There's a warmth that comes along with that Honesty, but that warmth also exists in the tones of the instruments and how the songs feel when you listen to them.
The EP is called Out Of The Woods, and the first track, "Always Do", gives you an amazing example of exactly what I mean.
Right from the start, you have a crisp acoustic guitar, already beginning to send off that warm tonality, and her vocals.
She's got a soulful approach to her performances vocally. I feel like that's probably because everything she's singing about came from someplace real.
As the song unfolds, you get these symphonic-style strings and synth pads that a lot of the songs come with.
Some amazing changes are going on here, and they're a bit of a head turner at times.
Progressions can change from dark to light or vice versa, and I found that a bit refreshing.
"Learning How To Lose" was also quite a beautiful track.
This one had a lot of almost gospel backing vocals to it with layers of harmonies, and they really thicken up the song and add a bit of depth to it.
This one is far more piano-based as its main instrument, and that, coupled with the beautiful layers of vocals, really gives it a soulful feel as well but in a different style.
This one, to me, feels probably the most contemporary pop of the batch, and you're also getting a great chunk of personality and yet another piece of Katie as she lets it out.
This is an artist who absolutely lets loads of inner thoughts come spilling out for all to soak in. I dig this because I feel like that's what I want from songs like this.
The record's final track is called "Love Is A Liar", and this one definitely comes through as a ballad. It's got loads of those symphonic strings happening, and the story told is one that will pull you right in. It feels relatable. It feels understandable, and you can connect with songs like this super quickly and easily.
This is a very emotional track, but again, some of the other songs can be quite emotional as well. The whole EP has a lot to say.
There is actually one more track after this, which is another version of the same song, "Love is A Liar (Piano Version)".
This is the same track, but it strips away some of the string sections and cinematic backing so that you can focus a little bit more on the piano work in the vocals themselves. It's not completely stripped down, but there's far less of those symphonic strings and synths happening.
I actually really enjoyed how she put the two different versions on there.
Pulling all this together was a gorgeous record that really showcased an artist who isn't afraid to put herself out there and be vulnerable if she wants to, speak her mind if she wants to, and because of all of that, you have songs that you can really feel and understand on a deeper level.
I have to listen to this record. I wanted to have a sit-down with Katie so that I could find out where it all actually came from and may be next for her.
So, while you listen to this EP, have a read through of our interview with Katie Cole below.
Do not miss this record.
Hey Katie and thanks for taking some time for us! Let's get into the Out of The Woods EP! A lot of this record felt personal and cinematic to me! Beautifully performed as well!
Thank you so much. Yes, this new sound for me has an orchestral component. I think having a bigger sound adds another layer of depth sonically and emotionally. I played the full album to one of my best friends and she said to me “If someone found this album in an attic it would like, change their life”. Hahah I think I know what she meant. So the few songs in this EP is part of a bigger album release called “Forest”. 2 Years went into making this record. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Where did this release come from and what is it about?
This was another record made from crowdfunding with my fans. I am super grateful for this opportunity and I’ve always wanted to make a record that defies genre. I suppose I get asked a lot “WHAT are you?” in regards to genre haha. I generally say singer-songwriter or Americana. This EP has strings and horns and big sweeping moments. I really drew from some big inspirations like Nick Drake, Dusty Springfield and Elton John amongst others. There are some folk moments, jazz leanings and big ballads. "Always Do" is the first song I released from this project and I think it was a good window into the new story and sound. It’s an acoustic song about love vs need. Then there is the hopeful song “Learning How to Lose”, co-written with hit writer John Capek. This is about owning your failures are part of your character.
Then “Love Is A Liar” is deeply personal and written about my mother. I live in Nashville and she was based in Melbourne, Australia like most of my family. So when I’m working or traveling I would always hear her voice in my head telling me see the better things in life. She helps me stay optimistic and remember to laugh. "Love Is A Liar" is truly about understanding that even heartbreak is a lie. It doesn’t last and life continues.
My Mum passed away in May of 2024 and it was a touring year with the Smashing Pumpkins. I ended up grieving and working through my all those emotion largely in public. For years, she had fought MS, overcome cancer but was not doing well when I wrote that song. After she passed away, it just hits so much harder.
I am hearing several approaches! Who are some of your bigger musical influences?
I have always been heavily influenced by strong female voices like Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin. Musically I wouldn’t be the artist I am without the Beatles. I know probably every artist says that hahaha. But I really think it’s ok to say this upcoming album is like a Beatles record in a sense. Each song is it's own world. The sound of this EP and upcoming record is definitely closer to Fairport Convention, Nick Drake or other 70’s folk acts that leaned into heavy use of strings, horns and woodwinds. I will always take a project as far as I can go and the songs really let me know what I can with them. I hope in time when people ask me what genre my record is I can just say “it’s a Katie Cole record” and that this answer is enough.
Did you work with an outside producer on the record, or is this mostly you?
I worked with my long-time Producer and collaborator Howard Willing. I have made several records with him and I fully trust he will push me and the project as hard as he can. He is really good at asking questions or being subjective about where a song can go musically. “What if we added this?” or “Can we add an instrumental section here?”. He thinks of things I never would. Probably because he is looking at each song with fresh ears and eyes and there’s a freedom to not being stuck in a concept of your own song. So I welcome his input as it’s coming from a place of art and making something new.
When you wrote these songs, did you start off with an instrument, or was it lyrics first?
Each song has its own way of coming out. Sometimes I have a song title first like “Learning How To Lose”. Then once I have the title I might write some loose idea of lyrics or a synopsis of what I think the song will be about. Or other times like with "Always Do", I wrote the guitar part first and it was very hypnotic to me I was thinking about how confusing and challenging relationships are. "Love is a Liar" I wrote on piano. The melody for the vocals just sort of fell out as I was writing it. I don’t write a lot of songs on piano, but this one felt special to me.
Are you performing live right now?
I just finished a huge tour. I started singing as with an orchestra who performs the music of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This tour begin in January and I traveled and performed in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Then did a couple of months in midwest America and Canada. It was a pretty extensive tour and I am slated to do more shows on the West Coast of USA and Canada this winter. For right now I am booking local acoustic shows in Nashville and will book some album release shows for the fall. I am hoping that I can sprinkle in some Katie Cole shows while touring later this year also!!
What would you say people can expect from this EP?
I think it’s a really good insight of where this new album will go. It has elements of acoustic, piano and a focus on storytelling. I think it’s really important for me as a songwriter to make sure all my releases has a through line. For me that’s my vocal and the stories. The EP has these big orchestra moments, but stripped back to a guitar or piano and vocal they are equally as strong. I included a piano vocal version of “Love is a Liar” on the EP to showcase this point. And I imagine some people may like that better than the full production.
Is there anything you are working on next?
The album FOREST is completed but I am always writing. It’s hard not to. Honestly, as an independent artist I just try to stay focused and make sure I am doing al the things I need to inspire people to listen to this new piece of music. This means making music videos, playing shows, doing backstage performances and engaging with fans. It has not escaped me that I am very lucky to make music as my job. It’s a lot of work, but it’s art.
You have some beautiful videos for some of these songs! How much of a hand do you play in the creation of those?
I have worked closely with an incredible artist in Nashville called Chelsea Thompson aka Dire Image. She has done hair & make up and several of my music videos / visualizers over the years. I love the way she sees each artist through her lens. I had some ideas for the visuals including the special shot I wanted as the album cover of Forest. For this new batch of songs we shot every song as a performance video and I have been playing the role of editor as there is so much content. So Chelsea hands me all this great footage and I get to edit each clip together. It’s pretty hard to be the editor when you are in these videos but I’m getting better at making editing choices. I think Chelsea and I work really well together and also have a laugh too.. so that helps :)
Before we go, is there anything you like to express to fans of the music?
There is also a new single out June 4th called “I Can Close My Eyes”. It might be my fave song so far. You can listen here on all streaming services https://ffm.to/
Out Of The Woods - EP by Katie Cole | Spotify
Katie Cole (@katiecoleofficial) • Instagram photos and videos
