Crowdsurf & Turf Meets: Katie Malco.
Armed with only an old telecaster and her voice, Katie Malco has toured the UK and mainland Europe with the likes of Julien Baker, Jenny Lewis, Kevin Devine, This is the Kit, BC Camplight, to name just a few. In early June, Katie Malco released her debut album Failures. Throughout the ten songs on Failures, she touches on the crutch of drink and drugs, struggling with first relationships and understanding yourself, friendships, anxieties around body image, and figuring out who you really are.
We’ve had the pleasure of watching Katie Malco a few times now and we’re always blown away, so we had to catch up with her after hearing such an incredible debut album.
Firstly, congratulations on such an incredible record which I have had on repeat since my first listen. How do you feel now it’s finally in the world? It’s received some incredible reviews and responses!
Thank you so much! That really means a lot. I feel really pleased to have gotten it out and off my chest…I really wasn’t expecting that much when I planned for its release and I’ve honestly been totally blown away by the response it’s had. I couldn’t have imagined it, really.
Failures is written beautifully and flows so perfectly as an album, where do you get inspiration from for your songwriting?
Thank you again – that’s a lovely compliment. In terms of lyrical content, I don’t think about it at the time, I just tend to write whatever comes out, but I think I tend to expel demons, explore thoughts I’ve had that have troubled me, tell stories about my life…it’s really personal and it was hard to share some of it. There’s stuff on that album that I’ve never even told anyone before. ‘Inspire’ almost never feels like the right word, it more feels like a necessity – an expulsion of thoughts and feelings I don’t want anymore. I honestly wish I could write in metaphors and fictional stories, but it’s always been a personal thing for me.
Continuing from what influences your writing, what/who influences you sonically?
I listen to a lot of music, and I don’t consciously adopt any of it into my own writing, though I know it absolutely happens. I just love good songs that speak to me, whatever form they take and whatever genre. I do lean towards artists in a similar realm to what I write I guess, but sometimes I’ll go ages without listening to anything like that and I’ll just listen to punk and hardcore, or pop music, or electronic stuff. As long as I like the songs, it can be anything.
We’ve caught you at shows in the past and you’ve always blown us away. Having travelled with artists and played many shows, is there one incredible moment/show in your career that really stands out to you?
Again, thank you so much! I think one of my favourite shows to date has to be supporting Julien Baker at Union Chapel – it was just one of those shows that felt really good and I enjoyed every second of it, and that’s actually sort of rare. I had toured with JB before that show so it was relaxed backstage which I really needed because it was the biggest show I’d ever played up until that point and I was so nervous. My stomach was churning. But it just sounds incredible in that venue, and it was amazing to sing out into the rafters. Another moment was supporting Jenny Lewis, being on stage and looking around at her ‘set’ behind me, all glitz and glam – it was like no other show I’d ever played. And when she came to talk to me after the show, head to toe in a skin tight sequined dress with feathers on the cuffs, I just almost couldn’t look directly at her, she was so bedazzling.
Obviously it’s been hard at the moment to perform these tracks live but you did manage to do an album launch via livestream. Are you looking forward to finally be able to perform these songs live?
I’ve never craved anything so much in my life. It’s such a shame to not have been able to celebrate this album with a memorable show while we’re in the moment of its release. I hope touring can get back to normal soon, I really do, but I have to try and make other arrangements until then because I really need to play live soon haha.
Quickfire Questions:
Do you have any other talents?
I am somebody that tries to do a lot of things and I don’t do any of them well. I love taking photos, I like cooking (I generally just love food), I like painting, I tried my hand at creative writing, I like doing a bit of music production, I sometimes try to play the accordion to an acceptable standard, I do weightlifting, I love hiking and swimming and cycling – but genuinely, I am not very good at any of these things.
4 essential items you have to take on tour...
I mean, besides the obvious – guitar / pedals / merch / toothbrush – I guess I always need a different top for on stage because I sweat so much, I always bring my kindle and I never actually end up reading it, I always bring my laptop because I always work on the road, and I also bring gym clothes and trainers in case I find time to do exercise – and guess what, I never do.
If you were curating a festival, who would your three headliners be?
If it could literally be anyone in the world no matter what, with no rules, then: Frightened Rabbit, Joanna Newsom, Slipknot.
Karaoke song of choice?
Limp Bizkit, Break Stuff
The best gig you've ever been to?
David Bazan at a motorcycle warehouse outside Austin during SXSW. It was a secret show I think, there was like 30 / 40 people there. And it was incredible.
What new artist would you recommend we listen to?
S.T Manville
How can people listen to you & support you?
Listen wherever you stream music, buy merch, buy the record from indie stores online, share it with friends!