Diandra Interviews Kate Bollinger: Music Is A Movie Waiting To Be Dreamed

The first thing I thought when I interviewed Kate Bollinger is, “Wow, she is cool and interesting.” She feels so settled for being such a visionary. Usually, an artist that envisions their works is plagued by feelings; swearing that the sounds and images rushing to their head embody their sentiments like cells. Yet, for however much that process feels big and grand, it is actually simple and quiet. Thus, in our interview, Kate Bollinger discusses how everything, from Russian literature to math, can help you find your good song and deal with the balance between the things you need to know about yourself and the ones you don’t.

Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music?

Kate Bollinger: I have so many, but the first that came to mind was when my mom would sing me lullabies before bed. I used to have night terrors when I was little, so I slept with my parents until I was way too old to still be doing that, and it always calmed me down to hear my mom sing.
Kate Bollinger – Grey Skies (Official Music Video)

Diandra: Having studied cinematography, how do you see music like a visual experience and what song of yours do you feel is most visual?

Kate Bollinger: I have really elaborate visions for all of my songs, but I think “Grey Skies” and “A word becomes a sound” are the two that have given me the most intense visions. A word becomes a sound has the most distinguishing transitions which makes me think of something with lots of movement like, a one shot music video that moves through different rooms and then outside.

Diandra: What is one thing about film-making that you learned and felt was surprisingly familiar to songwriting?

Kate Bollinger: Writing a song and thinking of an idea for a music video or short film both can feel like they happen in my presence rather than because I am creating them. I think of those creative experiences like I think of dreams: a lot of times they’re both an act of the subconscious.
Kate Bollinger – Queen to Nobody (Acoustic)

Diandra: If you could compare music to any academic subject, besides music, which would it be and why?

Kate Bollinger: I think there’s a part of it that is mathematical. I’m a bit left out of that side, since I don’t know theory, but I think once you know certain formulas in math, it’s probably very intuitive and fun and truly creative. Music is the same way.

Diandra: How did the pandemic influence the creation and release of a word without a sound?

Kate Bollinger: My producer, John, and I were left to finish things without the possibility of recording live full band takes. In some ways the limitation led to experimentation that may not have happened otherwise.

Diandra: What are your favorite songs that carry the “best melody?”

Kate Bollinger: One of my favorite songs that has one of the best melodies is “Thank You” by Bonnie Raitt. It just feels so good to listen to.
Kate Bollinger – A word becomes a sound (Full EP Stream)

Diandra: What inspired the title of the EP?

Kate Bollinger: I wrote the lyrics for “A word becomes a sound” to a guitar song that John had written. I was inspired by the short story “Terror” by Russian author Vladimir Nabokov. I felt struck by the narrator’s experience with himself and with others.

Diandra: You album sings to doubts and self-sabotage. What are the things you most appreciate about yourself as an artist and person?

Kate Bollinger: Sometimes, I appreciate that my doubt often comes from a place of self-awareness and trying to find my blindspots, but other times I wonder if it’s better to be at peace with a certain amount of unawareness. I think that sort of introspection and awareness or quest for awareness lends well to songwriting.

Diandra: You wrote about your high-school experience. What is the advice you would give to your high-school self: including one warning and one thing to most look forward to?

Kate Bollinger: For me, writing and listening to music all the time were the most important things. I think writing bad songs is really importan,t and I luckily had my mom giving me that advice from an early age. You can’t be embarrassed around yourself or you won’t be able to get to the good songs. Writing bad songs doesn’t have to be discouraging, it’s part of being a writer of any kind.

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