Kate White Wonders If It Was Worth It
White's newest single "Did It Make You Feel Better?" is a deeply personal and raw song about betrayal
Read our first interview here.
Voodoo dolls are meant to symbolize a specific person; the idea is that by manipulating the doll, you can affect the person it represents physically or emotionally (inserting pins is the most common form of this). I’m not exactly sure how the effects of a voodoo doll can be inhibited. In my eyes, the most important thing is the intention behind the manipulation.
Mustard has observed that forming a relationship (both platonic and romantic) with another human takes a lot of trust. As a human gets to know another they begin to get more comfortable with them. Slowly each will begin to reveal more about themselves resulting in what is known as “friendship.” Friendship is one of the greatest things about being a human. You can share with this human your insecurities, something that may have happened at work, and thoughts on the lack of creativity within the entertainment industry. Developing a friendship is a lot like putting your trust into a new IP (intellectual property.) It is original, fresh, and not entirely relying on nostalgia.
Kate White, who first visited in Music Shelf in 2023, returns after releasing their debut EP natural that illuminates the human condition and experience through their songwriting. This banana-less illumination continues on their latest single “did it make you feel better?” which acts as a response to a betrayal they felt in what they thought was a close friendship. White is a songwriter who touches your human soul and makes you feel.
In our sophomore conversation we had the pleasure of catching up. Together we discussed their Great Grandmother who influenced them, love, and so much more. You can check it out below:
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them again at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I’m so thankful to be back! I’m doing pretty well - school is stressful (as always), but I love spending all my time making music.
2. The last time we spoke you shared that you played a lot of piano with your Great Grandmother. What were some of your favorite sounds growing up? How did your Great Grandmother's influence help inspire you to become a musician?
I loved any and all sounds (especially those that are loud and complex). Granny taught me how to love deeply, and her perseverance was infectious. I fell in love with music and knew that I needed it in my life. Today, it’s more than that - it is my life. I wish she could see me now; I want nothing more than to show her my songs and tell her how it all started with sharing a piano bench.
3. Mustard wonders what type of songs you played with your Great Grandmother? What kind of music did they enjoy? Do you still listen to this music now?
She taught me how to play simple melodies like “chopsticks” and “hot cross buns”, and then she would perform classical etudes for me. She wasn’t virtuosic, but her emotions were always front and center in her playing, which to me is most important. I still listen to etudes and variations often, and I think of her every time I hear a piano.
4. During our last conversation you shared a fun fact about bassoonists. Mustard wonders if you had any other fun facts about bassoonists?
Another fun fact about the bassoon is that it’s most closely related to the oboe because they both use double reeds! A double reed is essentially two reeds wired together, so there’s no need for a mouthpiece. It makes for quite an interesting playing experience, but you get used to it.
5. If you could add the bassoon to any song in history which would it be and why?
A distorted bassoon part in “Joyride” by Kesha would be the only thing that could make that song better. It already has such interesting instrumental elements, and something as distinct and niche as the bassoon would take it to the next level. I also think that getting the bassoon into the context of popular music is important, because it is so much more than a classical instrument.
6. You draw a lot from Phoebe Bridgers and Hozier. If you were introducing these artists to another human what songs would you share with them?
When it comes to the influence they’ve had on me, I would point to “I Know the End” by Phoebe Bridgers and “From Eden” by Hozier.
7. Another one of your influences are your own experiences. How soon after an experience do you feel inspired to write?
I’ll write about something the day after it happens, a year later, or even 4 years later. My emotions stay strong, so no matter how much time passes, I can still package those feelings into a poem or song.
8. When we spoke last you were just about to release your debut single "Good Thing." How does it feel to have this song out into the world?
It feels so good! It was the first song I released back in high school, and I got to share a produced version with the world back in 2023. This song means so much to me - it might have even been the first full song I ever wrote. I couldn’t be more proud of my debut single.
9. As a condiment, Mustard is curious, what are some signs that you may love someone? How do you know if they love you back?
If your stomach is in knots, if you care about how they perceive you, or if you can’t quite explain the way you feel, you’re probably in love. It’s so hard to tell when someone loves you back (as explored in my song “Ashtray”), but I think everything has a funny way of working out when two people really love each other.
10. This single would act as the lead for your debut EP "natural." They love how it is sequenced. Could you share more about how you sequenced "natural?"
The EP itself is an exploration of love and the different sub-sects of the feeling, from infatuation and desperation, to despair and abandonment. It’s set in no particular order, but each song speaks on love in a unique fashion.
11. The album art for "natural" features a black and white photo of a natural landscape. What does this landscape represent to you?
The landscape is a representation of how everything regarding love, both good and bad, is so primal. It cannot be manufactured - natural attraction and unavoidable separation are part of the human experience.
12. Mustard loves how you illuminate the human condition and experience in your music. How would you describe the human experience?
I would describe the human experience as something that is extremely unique, while simultaneously being a uniting factor amongst people. Everyone knows what it’s like to love and everyone knows what it’s like to lose - it’s the context and details that shape their point of view.
13. On "fission" you state "in fire we were born." Mustard wonders if you could elaborate more on this lyric?
“In fire we were born” refers to the idea that two souls collided at a point in space and time, and that this union was a big, beautiful disaster. It was going to end some way, somehow, it was just a matter of when.
14. Mustard would like to congratulate you on your newest release "Did It Make You Feel Better?" When did you first begin writing this song?
Thank you! I wrote this song on July 2nd, 2024 (that’s the first voice memo of it) based on events that happened back in fall/winter of 2020. I’d already written about it, but I hadn’t been able to put it into song form until then. I had been sitting on the chord progression for a week or two before the lyrics just flowed out of me. The second I played it all the way through, I knew that it was something special.
15. Mustard wonders why a human would broadcast someone else's secret without their permission?
Mustard, I have no idea. I think it might be an act of self-defense when they know a situation is not going to go their way. Sharing someone’s secret, especially tainting it with lies, is selfish and cowardly.
16. They also wonder if this release was inspired by actual events?
It is inspired by actual events, and the anger displayed in the song runs deep. Being betrayed by someone you thought was your closest friend is hard, and this song is for the people asking: did it make you feel better? We are not broken, but we wonder - do you still think it was worth it?
17. The album art for "Did It Make You Feel Better" features a Voodoo Doll. How does someone use a Voodoo Doll? Is there anyway to combat the effects of a Voodoo Doll?
Voodoo dolls are meant to symbolize a specific person; the idea is that by manipulating the doll, you can affect the person it represents physically or emotionally (inserting pins is the most common form of this). I’m not exactly sure how the effects of a voodoo doll can be inhibited. In my eyes, the most important thing is the intention behind the manipulation.
18. What is on the horizon for Kate White?
Big things Mustard, big things. I’m starting to record a new project, but I’ve got some other little surprises on the way first, so keep an eye out for new music, media, and concerts.
19. Can readers still find your music on all streaming platforms?
Yes! All my produced releases are available on all streaming platforms! There’s also some extras and demos on my Soundcloud (@kitkatkate15), and I’m always posting content and updates on my Instagram (@kateaileenwhite).
Mustard’s Music Shelf is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 47 states and 47 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.