Kit Good Guy Interview

All Our Exes Live In Texas

An integral part of the beloved Australian group All Our Exes Live In Texas, Kit (otherwise known as Katie Wighton) has 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.

"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?'"

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."

Interview with Kit

Question: What inspired you to step out and release a solo song?

Katie Wighton: I had been writing some more rocky music for a while and it didn't quite fit in with what All Our Exes Live In Texas was doing so when we took a little break I just got straight into it!


Question: Can you tell us about Good Guy?

Katie Wighton: Good Guy was sparked after one too many conversations with my non-male friends about men in the music industry. There are so many stories about men doing really questionable things to and around women and I just got sick of it. I didn't want to write a sad song, I wanted to not go to their gigs any more.


Question: What message do you hope listeners take from Good Guy?

Katie Wighton: I hope people really start to think about who and what they support in the music industry. There needs to be consequences for people behaving badly - including forgiveness. That's what progress is. You make a mistake, you apologise and change your behaviour then we can all move forward together.


Question: What was it like filming the video clip for Good Guy?

Katie Wighton: We had the best day; my friend Mark and I get along really well - he's like a brother so it was super easy to just hang out and have fun. Gina (from Popcandi) is an absolute breeze to work with too and Dani who did the prosthetic horns is a consummate professional too. We just hung out at pubs and parks around Melbourne and had loads of laughs! Mark wasn't actually drinking though, my friend Nikki also came along and took some amazing behind the scenes pictures too; it was a real family affair!


Question: How have you changed your single launch shows during the current climate?

Katie Wighton: I'm now just having one - live streamed from my living room! I've got supports too which is so nice. Bonnie Songs, Nancie Schipper and Hannah Blackburn - some of my favourite artists!


Question: How are you keeping busy during self-isolation?

Katie Wighton: Well I'm lucky enough to still be working so I'm actually really busy with that. And then I've been putting together some really wholesome videos of a bunch of people singing and playing music on a particular song - we called it the insta-choir and everyone is welcome. It feels so good! I've been doing the crossword every morning on Instagram too!


Question: How would you describe your music?

Katie Wighton: Ooh this is always such a hard one, I think it's rocky? Pretty melodic and I love to tell a specific story.

Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Katie Wighton: I've been all up in Gregory Alan Isakov's world the last few days, such beautiful music; Middle Kids are a staple too. I am also obsessed with Lizzo - always will be.


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

Katie Wighton: This is tricky, I think either Phoebe Bridgers or Mitski; they're such amazing songwriters. Or Paul McArtney - in my dreams!


Question: What's next, for you?

Katie Wighton: I'm going to release another few singles this year and then an album in 2021!


Question: Can you share your socials?

Katie Wighton: https://www.facebook.com/kitkitmusic
@_kit_music/

Interview by Brooke Hunter