Currently, pop music seems to be dominated by a very chill, slow sound. With artists like Billie Eilish and Khalid dominating the pop scene, it seems like the upbeat, bright sounds of what pop once was has been lost. Kat Saul, based in Nashville, has reclaimed the electricity of pop with her high energy and catchy lyrics. Her new, debut album, “…from Unit 408”, is strong and powerful, revealing Kat’s unique voice in the pop genre. In the following interview, we get to know Kat and how she distinguishes herself as a musician.
Keke: Tell us about yourself. How did you get started in music?
Kat Saul: I’m not sure how a parent decides a kid is creative, but at some point mine did. By the time I was 5, I was learning piano and guitar. I started writing in professional sessions when I was in high school and years later, I realized the pop songs I was writing in my college dorm felt like ME. That was the birth of artist Kat.
K: How does growing up and living in Nashville influence who you are and what your sound is?
KS: Nashville has a very special way of telling stories. The music around me has definitely shaped my love for poetic lyrics and great hook
K: Your debut EP called “…from Unit 408” was recently released. Can you describe what the title means and what the songs in the album come together to mean?
KS: Unit 408 is my actual apartment number. All of the songs on the project are about people, situations or topics that have kept me up at night pacing around. The record helps tell what I’ve gone through recently through the songs I’ve written. I want people to feel at home with it.
K: Your song called “Nick Miller”, written about a character from the show New Girl, is so relatable as a song capturing how we have all felt at some point about a fictional character. What made you write this song and what does Jake’s character mean to you?
KS: My co-writer Paige brought up that I reminded her of Jessica Day from “New Girl”, which is my FAVORITE show. Jokingly, I said I needed to find the Nick to my Jess. Nick to me represents a down-to-Earth, funny guy who you date but is also your best friend. I think we all want that!
K: What is your favorite song from “…from Unit 408”? Why?
KS: I think “Bite”, which is ironic considering after I first sent it to my manager I thought it was the worst song I’d ever written haha. I was super sick in the studio that day and wrote the song in a hurry desperate to go home and sleep. Turns out, it was everyone’s favorite and grew to become mine as well. I like that it’s still relevant to me a year later, and the more I listen to it, the more fun I have with it.
K: How do you exude girl power as a musician?
KS: I always try to write from an unapologetic place! Whatever I’m feeling goes in the song! I think conjuring the strength to sing those exposing feelings on stage is how I show my girl power! Also, my mother was a female CEO, so I definitely learned from a great role model.
K: The music industry has always been a boy’s club. Do you think progress has been made for women in the industry?
KS: I think we are DEFINITELY making progress! There are a few great organizations for women right now and I’ve even started to see some female fronted writing camps!
K: Do you ever feel that you don’t fit a certain image as a singer? How have you broken the boundaries of what people expect and developed your unique identity?
I love to give high energy, colorful performances! With the “chill girl” trend that’s been happening with female pop artists right now, I’ve definitely felt pressured to “give in” to what was trending. However, I feel super blessed to have a team that supports and encourages the eccentricities of my live show and music even. Being yourself is the only way to succeed as an artist.
K: How do you use music and performance as a method of self expression?
KS: Honestly, I’ve always felt safer writing about my feelings than talking about them, and at more ease showing emotion for a crowd of strangers than in an intimate environment. It’s just what’s natural.
K: What is your biggest accomplishment so far as a singer? What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
KS: Putting out my debut EP “…from Unit 408” has been such a big victory! I feel so happy having these songs and productions we worked on for so long out into the world. As for the future, I’m dreaming big. Trying to manifest the Super Bowl haha.
K: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
KS: I’m actually an introvert! Because I am very social and such a high energy performer, this tends to shock people. Most of my creative ideas and recharging comes from time spent alone in reflection.
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