INTERVIEWS main slider NEW YORK PRINT

‘Tell Everyone!’ NYC pop songstress Catey Shaw is on the move

Jon Berrien
Latest posts by Jon Berrien (see all)

unnamed

Brookyln based songstress Catey Shaw is gearing up for her first headlining tour! The indie-pop darling continues to make moves as she pumps out pure sonic goodness. She’s without a doubt a creative force that keeps blowing people away with infectious pop gems.

GroundSounds recently caught up with Catey for an exclusive interview to talk about her latest music, touring and more check it out below.

 

For those just discovering Catey Shaw, could you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with music?

I was always a music lover, and songwriting was something I fiddled with a bit when I was younger, but never really took seriously. I grew up knowing myself as a visual artist. When I moved to NYC to go to school for painting and had no money for food, I began busking in the subways. There I met my now manager and writing partner, Jay, and got into the studio. We’ve been writing together since that day.

What do you enjoy most about NYC?

There’s something unexplainable about it. I love the energy, the romance. I always feel like I’m living in a fantasy. I can’t believe I actually grew up to be an artist, like I dreamt of as a kid.

Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with your track “Tell Everyone?”

The song was written a couple of years ago actually. We had a lot of fun in the studio messing with rhythms, even recording sticks on my cowboy boot. And ever since it was written it was on my setlist. Something about it just wasn’t right though, the energy just wasn’t perfect. So after years of playing the song, we got the band in the studio and completely overhauled it with this jam-tastic groove.

The video for “Tell Everyone” captures a live performance, what goes through your head as you’re performing?

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. Haha. I’m either really into the lyrics and focused on that or really into the crowd. For the most part I am just having a good-ass time.

Can you tell us about the inspiration for “Walks All Over You?”

I think we’ve all seen a friend with someone where you’re just like “dude, what are you doing?!” Or we’ve been that dude. Either way, relationships are tough, especially when it comes to navigating what we want from them, what we deserve. That can get clouded, and people can be really manipulative. This is all about overcoming that.

You will begin your first headlining tour soon (Feb. 2016), what are you looking forward to most?

Waffle House with my band. Driving the van (I love driving and I think everyone but me is bad at it). Meeting fans outside of NY! Just traveling in general. I’ve never done a real tour like this before so I’m excited for it all!

What do you enjoy most about being on the road?

My band. We’re all close friends and we get along really well. Always a good time. Adventures with friends are the best adventures.

What musicians/bands are you currently listening to?

TOPS, Julien Baker, The Whitest Boy Alive, Glass Animals, Kid in the Attic, Rén

What’s next for Catey Shaw, what can fans look forward to?

This tour! More music! More videos! I’m making next year my year.

Photo: Shervin Lainez

Stay in touch with Catey Shaw: FACEBOOKSOUNDCLOUD

2/4 // Boston, MA // Great Scott // radi.al/CateyGoesToBoston2
2/5 // Philadelphia, PA // MilkBoy // radi.al/CateyGoesToPhilly2
2/6 // Norfolk, VA // Work Release // TBD
2/9 // Chicago, IL // Beat Kitchen // radi.al/CateyGoesToChicago
2/11 // Toronto, ON // The Rivoli // radi.al/CateyGoesToToronto
2/12 // Montreal, QC // Casa del Popolo // radi.al/CateyGoesToMontreal
2/13 // Brooklyn, NY // Knitting Factory Brooklyn //