Exclusive Interview with Kat Katz of Agoraphobic Nosebleed

© Photo courtesy of Samantha Marble

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for taking part in this conversation with me. I believe there is great value in sharing interests, thoughts and visions with others, no matter how minute the details may seem. Those minor details could provide someone with the inspiration to do something creative themselves.

I strive to write interesting articles, ones that capture something, a moment, a movement or a spark within the reader. I find most interviews to be informative, yet they lack personality and humanity. I feel engaging in a conversation rather than a question and answer session to be more intriguing, at least to me. My interviews may not always be “brutal” or “metal”, but they will always be different.

WSP:   I will start by letting you know, I will ask not one question about Scott.

KK:     Haha. I don’t mind when people ask, it’s just that I usually can’t give them the answers they’re looking for because I’m not around when Scott is writing, recording, and programing.

WSP:   So what have you been up to since your recent split with Salome?

KK:      The Despise You/Agoraphobic Nosebleed split just came out, so I’m very excited about that. Also, I just recorded guest vocals for the Batillus song “Cast,” which will be on their split with Mutilation Rites. It comes out on Shinebox Recordings in July, and it’ll be a 7”. Otherwise, I’m working on forming another project. When it’s more solidified, I’ll let folks know what’s going on.

WSP:   I see you are doing some guest vocals for Batillus, how did this come about?

KK:       I met the Batillus guys when Salome did the Beard Destroyer Tour with Hull in 2009. On tour, Greg (the guitarist of Batillus) told me I should join Fade on vocals sometime. I didn’t perform with them on that tour, but not too long after, I learned “The Division” (on their new album Furnace), and started to regularly perform guest vocals. They’re one of the best doom bands around, and it’s an honor that they let me sing with them.  

WSP:     Do you have plans of doing regular guest vocals?

KK:        As long as they want me to do guest vocals, I’ll continue to perform with them.

WSP:    Do you plan on writing any songs with them?

KK:        I think the only way I’d contribute to the song writing process is if Fade wanted my input on lyrics and arrangements. I did help with the arrangements for “Cast.”

WSP:    How does your writing process flow?

KK:        I don’t usually write lyrics before I receive a song. I find that my lyrics and arrangements are much more cohesive after I’ve meditated on a track for a while and had an opportunity to experience what comes up for me emotionally and mentally. The actual writing process can materialize in different ways. Sometimes, when I listen to a song, a line or stanza will arise. Other times, I’ll just have a word or two, or an image in my head that I’ll try to communicate. I’ll then take that line, word, or image and develop it.

WSP:    How do you prepare yourself for writing sessions?

KK:        I’ll practice yoga, and then I’ll read or listen to something that inspires me. However, sometimes I don’t need anything at all to prepare. My energy will just be in the right place, and the words will come.

WSP:    Do you write your lyrics in a journal, a book or just random notebooks?

               Right handed or left handed?

               How long have you been writing?

KK:        I used to write my lyrics in a journal, but ever since I bought a laptop, that’s what I’ve been using. However, recently, a friend gave me a beautiful journal, and I plan to start writing in it. I’m right handed, and I’ve been writing poetry since I was 13. My family was going through some difficult times, and it was a great outlet for me. When I was a teenager, expressing my emotions and thoughts through creative outlets was one of the only things that kept me sane. Now, it’s my spiritual practice that keeps me balanced and feeling positive/energetic.

WSP:       When did you start singing/screaming?

KK:           I started vocal lessons when I was 10. I only did them for a short time, maybe less than a year. I started practicing screaming vocals at 15.

WSP:       What or who inspired you to start screaming vocals?

KK:          Acid Bath. I loved Dax’s and Sammy’s screams, still do.

WSP:     What female vocalists do you recommend listening to?

KK:          I don’t like labeling women who play music as female vocalists, female guitarists, etc. I’ve heard the argument over and over again that there is a difference between male and female vocalists in metal, and I simply disagree. If the vocalist is screaming or shouting, most of the time you won’t be able to tell if the person is male or female. I don’t want to promote one gender over the other. I want to promote equality in every form, and I hope to help make others aware that there are people out there who don’t care about gender, race, or religion, and just want to witness talent and authenticity. That being said, my favorite vocalists are JR Hayes from Pig Destroyer, Mike from Yob, Alan from Khanate, Runhild from Thorr’s Hammer, and Dax Riggs, when he was singing/screaming for Acid Bath.

WSP:      Do you think your writing and painting ever come together at some point?

KK:         They have in the past. My writing is included in a couple of my paintings. The combination of words and images is extremely powerful, but can easily kill the painting if one isn’t careful.

WSP:     What inspires you to paint?

KK:         My passion, human rights. In the past, relationships, and past issues/traumas inspired me. Also, there are many artists who inspire me: Francis Bacon, Gustav Klimt, Alphonse Mucha, Egon Schiele, Zdzislaw Beksinski, David Choe, and Audrey Kawasaki, to name a couple.  

WSP:     What do you listen to when you are painting? Writing? Relaxing?

KK:         I went through a phase when I was painting where I listened to Pig Destroyer’s “Natasha” on repeat, haha. I also love painting to Electric Wizards Dopethrone, and Woven Hand albums. I tend to write in silence. When I’m relaxing I’ll listen to just about anything. However, Dead Can Dance has been a regular choice of mine.  

WSP:     What is in your ipod/MP3 player?

KK:         Yob, Crowbar, Mastodon, Neurosis, Buzzoven, Inerds, Cloud Rat, Dead Can Dance, Ralph Stanley, Hank Williams Senior, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Krishna Das…

WSP:     Where do you like to eat in DC?

KK:         I actually don’t go into the city often, but outside DC, in Arlington, there is an amazing Sushi restaurant called Matuba. There is also a famous Chinese Restaurant called Peking Gourmet Inn, located in Falls Church. Both are incredible.  

WSP:     What is there to do in DC that some people might not know?

KK:         I’m not sure that I could provide a recommendation for something unique to do, but I recommend that people visit the Hirshhorn museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Library of Congress. There are also some great Jazz clubs worth visiting (although usually fairly expensive).

WSP:     Where do you like to travel?

KK:         I love New Orleans (I have family there), New York, Massachusetts (especially Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard), Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, and I haven’t been over seas much, but I would love to travel Europe, Japan, and India.

WSP:     Where is the most interesting place you have ever been?

KK:         Last Christmas I went to Guatemala. I really loved it there. It was very beautiful and the people were very kind. It’s awesome to visit another country and experience another culture.  

WSP:     Tell me about your favorite place in nature.

KK:         My favorite place is the Difficult Run Trail in Great Falls, VA. It’s not long, about three miles; it’s surrounded by woods, and follows the Potomac River. I have one spot in particular that I like to go to. There is a series of long flat rocks that takes you to the center of the river. I practice meditation and yogic breathing on one of those rocks. I’ve been going to Great Falls since I was a kid. It’s always been a place of repose when I’ve felt depressed, upset, or insecure. I think it’s important to connect with nature when you can. I often go hiking when time allows.

WSP:     Where do you enjoy writing the most?

KK:         Outside. However, I do usually write in my room. Boring, I know, but fewer distractions.

WSP:     I understand you are a yoga teacher, is this correct?

KK:        Yes, I became a yoga teacher at 19. I have a 500hr certification in Kripalu Yoga, and I’m about to receive another 500hr certification in Pranakriya Yoga (although some of the hours cross over). I taught for about five years, but then took a break to become a Massage Therapist. Because I’m currently in college, I’m not teaching classes (only teaching close friends), but I hope to do so in the future.

WSP:     Do you feel yoga helps you with your breathing while doing vocals?

KK:          Definitely. Yoga allows me to hold notes longer, keep my throat relaxed, and maintain a better tone.  

WSP:      Aren’t you also going to school right now, what are you majoring in?

KK:          I’m at Northern Virginia Community College, and I’m planning on transferring to a four-year college in a year or so. I’m thinking of majoring in either biology or psychology, with a minor in either human rights (some schools offer this) or political science. I’m then hoping to go to school to get my doctorate in Physical Therapy.

WSP:      Where do you see yourself in five years?

KK:          I see myself continuing to sing for metal bands and doing some touring, hopefully over seas at some point. I also see myself continuing my wonderful and supportive relationship, as well as working as a PT, and possibly joining doctors without borders, traveling overseas to help others in need.

WSP:      Do you have any projects you are working on? (Painting/Writing/Music)

KK:          I’m currently working on guest vocals for a Eustachian track. Art wise, because I’m busy, I’ve had difficulty finding the time. But, until the day I die, I will be in love with painting, and it will always be a medium of expression that I’ll come back to. Also, shortly, ANb will be working on a full length.

WSP:      Last question, for the record; how tall are you? (I am short...)

KK:          I thought I was 5’1 up until recently when a Nurse measured me at 5’. I shrunk?

WSP:      Well, I do believe I have exhausted all the questions I had at this time. But I would like to talk to you more and continue to share inspiration and with these communications, you push me to be stronger and louder.

Do you have any final words you wanted to share with the world?

KK:           I consider one of the most important aspects about being on this earth, which people fail to realize, is that we are all connected. On the deepest level, spirit, we are all the same. If one person suffers, we all suffer. If people could even in a small way be kinder, more compassionate, and empathetic towards others, the world would be much improved. I am repeatedly witnessing humanity’s inhumanity because of differences like race and religion. These kinds of things fail to matter because they don’t communicate who we truly are at the deepest level of self. If even just one person does something to help another, it betters us all, and I feel that it is truly a worthwhile action.

WSP:     Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions and look forward to learning more about you.

Cheers,

Tanya 

Real talk with Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza

It has frustrated me over the last few years to hear people refer to different types of "core" as their own category, I get it with hardcore, however, I lose interest when I hear kids talking about Mathcore, dancecore, screamcore and so on.  It is all 'metal' whether or not you are a fan of a particular band within the genre or not, it is all still metal to me. I do believe that personality makes a big difference in many things in life and music being one of them. I was introduced to the music of Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza early last year when my son asked me to take him to the show.  I listened to Danza II and agreed to take him. I first saw these guys at the Orpheum in Ybor City.  It was packed!
The initial conversation was with the drummer, Mike Bradley. We spoke about drums and his love for other types of music, influences, etc.  I then spoke with Jessie Freeland, the vocalist, whose conversation surprised me.  His first question was how my son was doing in school.  Our conversation lasted for almost an hour sitting on the curb outside the venue. One of the questions that I had was about his job outside of touring, when he is home and he shared with me his work with troubled youth. The conversation was more than interesting!
Moving on,  I asked about talking to the other guys in the band, but they had a rough tour and were asleep in the van. I kept in touch with Mike and Jessie and was anxious to see them again on the return to Orlando.

We adventured to Orlando for a riveting performance at Club H20, where they played with Oceano, Blind Witness and a few others and must say they killed it once again! So needless to say, when I got the notification Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza was heading back out on the road and St. Pete dates were secured, I made sure I would be there. Excited to see the guys again, we confirmed an interview to accompany the live shots I would be taking.  I met up with Josh Travis and Jessie Freeland before the show and spoke with him for quite awhile and agreed to continue the conversation after they played and we would get some 'promo' shots too.

We did just that, I spoke with Jessie for almost an hour and a half again while we waited for the rest of the guys to reunite at the van.  I know I promised an interview to be posted, however, I truly feel that the conversation that I had with Jessie and with Josh was more on a personal level and is not to be shared with the world. I have always been intrigued by the thought process of the human brain and the way people think and what makes them tick. The "interview" or conversation with these guys was truly more of a conversation between friends.  While there are a lot of great times on the road touring, it is not always the most glamorous or as interesting as people may think. These guys are real, genuine guys who have passionate hearts and truly want to make something of themselves and make a positive difference.  Josh is an incredible musician, who plays multiple instruments, not just that badass 7 string guitar, but he is also a writer and truly deserves to be recognized for his talent as well as the rest of the guys too. 

If you haven't heard of Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza before, you should check them out.  Josh Travis is a beast on the guitar!  Their musical tastes are broad and are the most down to earth people I feel I have ever truly had the chance to hang with.  They are not rock stars, but my friends.