Interview: Cat Clyde
Photo: Joe Lipstein
In early May, Cat Clyde released her debut album, Ivory Castanets. Cat is a new artist from Stratford, Ontario, and already has over a quarter of a million and counting monthly listeners on Spotify. We caught up with her over the phone before her Calgary show at the end of May.
You just released your debut album, Ivory Castanets. Congrats! What was the recording process for the album like?
It was a lot of fun. It was really easygoing. I just did it in a friend’s basement studio, and it all unfolded very organically.
I read that you studied music production. Did you have a lot of control over the album?
I took a program called music industry arts, and that included engineering, production, live performance, and sort of everything. So, I wasn’t specifically studying music production. But that definitely helped in all aspects of recording the record.
What first drew you to music, specifically to blues and jazz?
I’ve been asked this question before, and I think the one defining moment - when I was younger, I didn’t really listen to a lot of good music - I remember hearing Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” and that changed my whole world. I didn’t realize there was music like that out there, and after that I just craved listening to that sound and just wanted to hear more.
In your career so far, what has your experience been like specifically as a young female artist?
I feel like I haven’t had to conquer too many obstacles yet. Everything’s pretty new for me right now. I only started touring in November, but for the most part it’s been pretty easygoing and really exciting. I don’t really have anything to complain about.
As a Canadian artist, do you notice a difference between shows in Canada and shows in the United States?
That’s a good question - I don’t think there’s a huge difference. It’s easier to get around in the States, because everything is so close, whereas in Canada, the biggest music cities are like, a week apart. I don’t think I’ve really noticed too much of a difference. Everyone’s been really awesome and really supportive. It’s been great on both sides.
How’s your tour with Paul Kelly going so far?
It’s been really awesome. We started in L.A., and then did San Francisco, then Vancouver and then Calgary. It’s been really good so far. Paul Kelly’s audiences have been very attentive, and it’s a real treat to play to an audience that’s really paying attention.
What do you have planned next?
I’m hopping on a tour with ZZ Ward after I’m done this tour with Paul Kelly. Also, I have another record in my back pocket and I’m really excited to get recording that - I can’t wait to get into the studio and start doing that. And touring, that’s basically what’s next for me. I’m very excited.
