“Kate Maki is a hardy country type of pioneer woman. Her acoustic guitar pickin rhythm
is like a drum, and she can belt out, even when she is quiet, like a storm.”
- Howe Gelb
“With its near conversational style and unfettered, natural delivery,
Kate’s voice is an instrument of immediate comfort and charm where
every utterance is a delight.”
- Toronto’s Eye Weekly
“A countrified Neil Young or Jolie Holland who doesn’t need her
behaviour management skills to force appreciation from the crowd
for a smart and witty performance.”
- Soundxp
“Maki deserves our attention, sooner rather than later.”
- AmericanaUK
“A young woman who can sing, play guitar and write songs with a
confidence that should do her much good on the long, heartless
road from making music to making it work.”
- Ottawa Citizen
Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, Kate Maki has a
voice as wide and expansive as its moon-like terrain. Her
music incorporates a variety of styles and influences, and
can be classified as folk or Canadiana. When Kate is not on
tour, she teaches Science and French to the next generation.
With a preference for recording in experimental,
fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants fashion, Kate employed
legendary Tucson, Arizona phenomenon Howe Gelb of Giant Sand
as producer for On High’s five day session in March 2007.
Teaming up with long-time friends/collaborators Dale Murray
(The Guthries, Cuff The Duke) and Nathan Lawr (Royal City,
Fembots), the songs were recorded live-off-the-floor by
Dave Draves (Julie Doiron, Jim Bryson) at the Little Bullhorn
studio in Ottawa, Ontario. The result is an intimate,
diverse, and unique album full of happy accidents and charm.
Since the release of her first album in 2003, Kate‘s songwriting
has grown to include more than the inner workings of her own heart.
The songs from On High speak to a larger love: the workings of the
world and her place in it. There is darkness (the spooky oompa “White
Noise” and Ram-era McCartney-esque stomp “Beyond the Sun”), there
is light (the sweet “Badminton Racquet” duet and the ode to getting
older “Message Forgot”), and there is the unexplainable (the
optigan-propelled “To Please”). Kate adds political commentary to
her repertoire as well with the lament for the rot of indifference
“We Are Gone”.
Kate’s plans for 2008 include North American tour dates, showcases
at NXNE and SXSW, and recording sessions for her next album in
Tucson, Arizona.
|
