Kate Klein spoke to us about recording at Abbey Road Studios, her single “Love on Drugs,” and her advice for aspiring singers.
Growing up did you sing or write songs often?
Seems almost like a cliche saying yes. I’ve always been into writing songs and poems. I wrote my first book when I was 14. When I write, it’s like I’m watching the world from afar, almost like a movie, and everything is so clear. In high school, I created a pop-punk girl band and started writing my first songs. I was studying the structure of pop songs in the charts written by Max Martin, and then I would make my own. Soon after, I started learning music production. The first song I studied was ”Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj. I love producing my own music because I know exactly what I have in mind for each song in my head.
Did growing up in the UK have any influence on your music?
I grew up in Venice, Italy, which is pretty insane. It’s like living in a painting. After, I moved to the UK to pursue my career and yeah, it definitely influenced my sound a lot. I started integrating more urban elements and my sound got darker which reflects the vibe of London. The underground scene in London is insanely creative and a lot of great artists get their start there. The fact that I’ve always been so influenced by American pop also shaped my sound— commercial but also with that edge coming from the London underground scene.
How did it feel to record your songs at Abbey Road Studios?
It was sublime! I was so focused on the recording process that I didn’t realize it that much. It took me a few weeks to realize what actually happened. I remember that in the middle of the session I decided to change a part of the lyrics in one of my songs. I didn’t want to create panic in the studio, so with an excuse, I went into the restrooms and wrote down the new parts. The cleaner was looking at me a little bit perplexed. Why is she writing in the toilets? We had a lot of fun, my sessions are always very lively. I like to make it fun instead of a war zone.
Where did the inspiration for your song “Love on Drugs” come from?
I wrote, “Love on Drugs” inspired by my love for emo and pop-punk music. I grew up listening to melodic punk and pop charts songs, so it became pretty natural. Funny, but the lyrics are not about drugs, or not what we mean by drugs. What I am expressing is the feeling of living on the edge between distortion and reality. Love, as a form of poison, that intoxicates our mind and distorts our vision. In the story, I’m living this troubled relationship with a guy, who is lost in life: ”You’re like a broken mirror..trapped in..chained.’ Some people are trapped inside their own reflection and can’t get out. They watch themselves in the mirror and don’t see their real potential. I am so attracted by troubled guys though..story of my life.
After coming up with the idea for the “Love on Drugs” music video. How did it feel to see the final product?
There’s something magical about the final product. It starts from a picture in your mind and the job is to get it out there in the material world. And you watch your creation and you think ‘How did it come all together?’ It’s a beautiful feeling… I produced and directed this video with Francois Boutemi, Tobias Snow, and their team at Simulacra Studio. It was great because I got a lot of my friends involved, it was such an amazing experience!
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
My advice is to be a little crazy and take risks. The biggest things come from the smallest decisions we make. Going to that industry party? Call that producer? Put yourself out there even if It seems crazy? Do it. Of course ..believe in yourself otherwise it won’t work. And if it doesn’t work, restart all over again until It works. Ah yes, one thing that changed my perspective is knowing that not everyone will always like or understand me, and that is okay.
