Project Description
Interview with
KIT
(KATIE WIGHTON from
ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS)
Interviewer – Dave Bruce
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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
I think I wrote my first song when I was 8 – it was about how everyone should be friends. Relatively basic content but still applicable I think!
Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style?
Well my mum was a jazz/folk singer so I grew up around her singing a lot which I am so grateful for now. She sang lots of Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and then Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra.
My favourite albums as a kid were: Tina Arena’s Don’t Ask, Ian Moss’ Matchbox (which I owned on cassette tape lol) and Eric Clapton Unplugged. My first album was the Tarzan Soundtrack. I was a weird kid haha. In terms of my current style I don’t really know. I love a chorus. And a melody. Sso I guess there’s that!
Why do you think people resonate with your music?
Well I hope they resonate with the lyrics and the stories. And I hope they can remember the melodies. I think I’m a pretty honest person and artist which I think people usually like!
Your new single Good Guy has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
I wrote this song with Ali Barter last year after having one too many conversations with amazing women about men in the entertainment industry getting away with bad behaviour. There is a long and specific story behind it, basically I was tired of hearing sad songs by incredible women about other remarkable women who were wronged – I just wanted to get mad about it. The chorus is kind of a G-rated ‘fuck the patriarchy’. One of the lyrics is ‘This is bigger than us both’. The conversations stopped just being about my own sadness, anger, disappointment and horror and turned into ‘What the actual shit is going on around us? How can we fix this?’
Do you have any more new music in the works?
I do! I will be putting out a few more singles this year and then an album hopefully next year!
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Do you have any shows/tours coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I have a livestream on April 17 – we had lots of shows lined up but they got cancelled which was disappointing of course but totally the right thing. So I’m excited about the livestream now! :) I have a few support acts – Bonniesongs, Nancie Schipper and Hannah Blackburn – some of my favourite artists! We will all be in isolation so we’ll tag in – Isolaid styles!
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
The Beatles. Without a doubt. They are just the best band ever, I think. Such beautiful melodies and clever pop songs.
What’s next for you in the near future?
More singles and shows. :)
What are your longer-term aspirations?
I’d love to write more with people. I love writing music and co-writing is the most exhilarating experience!
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
I love the feedback from an audience. I’m an extrovert so I thrive off human interaction and being on the stage is the highest form of that, to me. I can’t wait to do it again one day!!
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Middle Kids – Lost Friends
Artist – Lizzo
Movie – Darjeeling Limited
Place to visit – The South Heads in Sydney
Venue to play – Howler in Melbourne
Food – Mexican
Drink – Margaritas!
Person in History – Stephen Fry
Tattoo – The pinecone on my ribs
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KIT
(KATIE WIGHTON from
ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS)
announces debut single and video
‘GOOD GUY’
An integral part of the beloved Australian group All Our Exes Live In Texas, Kit (otherwise known as Katie Wighton) has today announced her debut solo release, Good Guy. A gritty, guitar-led powerhouse of a single, Good Guy calls out every dude who’s ever gotten away with bad behaviour. Kit has also released a stellar clip to accompany Good Guy, created in collaboration with Gina Somfleth of Pop Candi Films (Merpire, Peach Noise, Press Club).
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Kit has had to be creative with her single launch shows. After performing at ISOLAID on March 22 she was inspired to do her single launch show live on Instagram. With support from Bonnie Songs , Nancie Schipper & Hannah Blackburn, Kit will perform live from her living room on Friday April 17 at 7pm AEDT. She will have a Bandcamp set up with the idea that people can buy the single and donate what they may have paid to come to the show, and a percentage of the proceeds from the night will also go to Support Act to help those who are seriously suffering in our musical community.
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Listen: GOOD GUY
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“I find it very interesting that at the moment the things we seem to be talking about are our healthcare workers and hospitals, schools and universities and The Arts. In a crisis, these things become the most important and I hope that when we get through this awful time we will remember that.” Kit remarks.“Being creative can sometimes be a burden but right now, it’s our biggest asset. I’ve been doing the crossword on Instagram live and also have started an insta-choir – which is so much fun. I was sitting in my room playing a Hank Williams song and really missing the harmonies, so I chucked it up on my socials and asked people to send in their harmonies. The second week has really taken on a life of its own – we did Two Strong Hearts and had drums and bass and even a wine bottle solo! It’s so beautiful to connect with people safely and bring a little smile to people across the interwebs!”
Co-written with Ali Barter (also featured on backing vocals) and created with producers Dave Symes (Boy and Bear, Sarah Blasko, Missy Higgins) and James Seymour (Merpire, Eaglemont), Good Guy is a sharp, hard-hitting track with a vital message. One for fans of rockers Alex Lahey, Angel Olsen and Ruby Fields, Good Guy leads with its heart on its sleeve; with amps cranked and driving percussion alongside clever and playful melodies, this track is impossible to ignore. Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Kit explains, “I wrote this song with Ali Barter last year after having one too many conversations with amazing women about men in the entertainment industry getting away with bad behaviour. There is a long and specific story behind it, basically I was tired of hearing sad songs by incredible women about other remarkable women who were wronged – I just wanted to get mad about it. The chorus is kind of a G-rated ‘fuck the patriarchy’. One of the lyrics is ‘it’s bigger than us both’. The conversations stopped just being about my own sadness, anger, disappointment and horror and turned into ‘What the actual shit is going on around us? How can we fix this?’”
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The clip for Good Guy reinforces the message behind the track wholeheartedly. Reflecting on the video, Kit says, “It’s kind of alluding to the experience of someone seeming like a lovely person at first and lulling you into a semi-false sense of security. Then bam, they do something shit and you’re all confused. And I feel like it’s so common now. Sometimes it’s not even something that bad. Ghosting and not replying to texts, not going straight for a condom, not being honest and open about where they’re at. Anyway, it’s that. In a film clip. You’ll just have to watch it to get the full scoop! And it’s shot in Melbourne at some of my favourite spots! The patriarchy is giving me a lot of creative fodder, ha!”
Good Guy is a far cry from the exquisite folk stylings of All Our Exes Live In Texas that fans might know Kit best for, but it’s all a melting pot of influences as she explains, “I’ve been listening to different music – more rocky, raw stuff. We played folk songs for a long time and I got to a point where I wanted to yell a bit. Get my punk on! And have my own voice too. The band has definitely been a part of KIT, even if it isn’t conscious. Those women are a really important part of my music and emotional history and it would be naïve to think it hasn’t influenced KIT.”
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Friday 17 Apr @ 7pm AEDT
Live On Instagram with
BONNIE SONGS,
NANCIE SCHIPPER
& HANNAH BLACKBURN
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