Garrett Kato Headlights Interview

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Garrett Kato Headlights Interview

Canadian born, Byron Bay local Garrett Kato has today released his anticipated new record, That Low and Lonesome Sound, alongside the announcement of a 27 date tour opening for Pete Murray on his extensive regional, Yours Acoustically tour through October, November and December. Kato will also be hitting the road this month to play a run of album launch shows kick starting tonight at Brunswick Hotel in Brunswick Heads, Black Bear Lodge Brisbane on the 17th, The Vanguard Sydney on the 23rd and 303 Melbourne on September 26.

New single Headlights is an anthemic, toe-tapping folk rock, anti-love song. 'I've always loved the idea of anti love songs and having a large group of people sing along to something other than -I love you babe,'" says Kato.

Recorded between Kato's home studio and 301 Studios in Byron Bay, alongside Anthony Lycenko, That Low and Lonesome Sound was two years in the making with Kato recording most songs multiple times, explaining, 'I just kept adjusting them and tending to them like my garden." The result is a dynamic album full of texture and warmth. Kato's smooth, dreamy melodies and exquisite harmonies create a feeling of nostalgia, weaving a rich tapestry of storytelling folk gems.

Written about Kato's relocation from Canada to Australia, 'the record focuses on the journey and personal battles of letting go of a past life," he explains, 'some songs have themes which stretch further into my past, but the majority are about my new life and love in Australia… it's basically a personal diary of manhood and letting go."

Pumped to tour the new record, Kato will be playing his first run of September shows with his full band and will then jump straight on the road solo to open for his local Byron mate Pete Murray. "Playing solo with just my guitar is my most comfortable mode, I love breaking hearts if I can."

View The Clip: Headlights
Purchase: That Low And Lonesome Sound
Listen: That Low And Lonesome Sound

Garrett Kato That Low And Lonesome Sound East Coast Tour

Friday 11 Sep | Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick Heads | 18+

Thursday 17 Sep | Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane Qld | 18+| Tickets

Wednesday 23 Sep | The Vanguard, Sydney | 18+| Tickets

Saturday 26 Sep | 303, Melbourne | 18+| Tickets

Garrett Kato National Tour Dates With Pete Murray

Interview with Garrett Kato

Question: How would you describe your music?

Garrett Kato: I'm a singer songwriter from Canada and play kinda like a folk americana electro blues thing.

Question: What can you tell us about the new single?

Garrett Kato: Headlights is more or less my Heard it Through the Grapevine. It's almost a celebration of leaving someone who is playing up. It's kinda more or less a middle finger in a song to a particular person in real life.

Question: What should we expect from the upcoming tour?

Garrett Kato: From the upcoming tour I'll be playing solo to some bigger rooms. I'll be doing a few more intimate songs, but still try to keep some more upbeat blues ones to keep the folks moving.

Question: How does it feel to be touring with Pete Murray?

Garrett Kato: Feels great, he's been a good friend of mine for sometime and I'm feeling fortunate to be on the tour.

Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Garrett Kato: I think I had is the better answer. My idea at first was that it was a very organised and structured environment, almost like a professional sports team. Now I realise it's more like the circus!

Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Garrett Kato: Inspiration comes from many things, mostly life experience. Particularly on this album I used my relocation to Australia from Canada as a working title. 'That Low and Lonesome Sound" is basically about leaving everything you know for better or worse.

Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Garrett Kato: My all time favourites are probably Springsteen, R. Adams and maybe Gregory Alan Isakov.

Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Garrett Kato: Well I'm going to be on the road for quite some time touring my new record playing 31 dates, but I do have lots of new songs written, just need to find the time to record them.

Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Garrett Kato: Two years ago when I started writing this record I had interest from a major Label. Didn't pan out the way I was imagining and really changed my idea of the music business. So I think there were some tender moments then for sure.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Garrett Kato: I enjoy both performing is more like a ceremony while recording is more like a document. Both have their merits so I suppose it depends on my mood.

Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Garrett Kato: Nothing in particular really inspired me, it was more of a accident than anything. One thing led to another and I followed my passion to all kinds of strange places.

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Garrett Kato: Not buying too many gold chains. Like I mean you can buy one or two, but it's so hard to not go buck wild on the chains…!

Question: What's a typical day like?

Garrett Kato: Wake up hang with my daughter, head down stairs into the studio to work on some stuff then eat some lunch and possibly play a gig in Byron. But if I'm on tour, it's super random.

Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Garrett Kato: Making music is the best part.

Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Garrett Kato: I love Lisa Mitchell at the moment, I really wanna do something with her. So Lisa if you're reading this… Hit me up!

Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Garrett Kato: Garrettkatomusic.com

Interview by Brooke Hunter

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Garrett Kato Headlights Interview

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Interview with Garrett Kato

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