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ROLLACOASTER MAGAZINE: EMERGING TALENT: FASHION & MUSIC.
There was a time when Leah Kate couldn’t even speak out in a classroom. The thought of raising her hand and asking a question sent her into a blind panic. Hard to believe, I know, considering the American singer is now opening arenas for the likes of Anne-Marie across the UK and Europe. But then again, the 31-year-old was able to sing before she could speak, after all.
Having used her music as an outlet for the voice she couldn’t find, Kate has since discovered it—and it’s loud, proud and unapologetic. Declaring she is officially Super Over the anxieties that have stifled her, she quickly lined up a discography that bites back. Sinking her teeth into heartbreak, insecurities and betrayal, the Pop-Punk singer unveils her 14-track album, bidding adieu to the things – or, as Kate reveals, the person – that have scorned her.
But don’t mistake Super Overas a revenge record, her foray into the industry is far more formidable than that. Teasing gritty melodies with her candied vocals, Kate presents far more than a woman scorned—rather, one re-born. Finding her footing in a world that revolves around her artistry, there’s no questioning she is en route to an uprising. With her eyes set firmly on sold-out stadiums, the world seems hers for the taking…and she’ll waste no time asking for it.
ELLA WEST: Leah! You’ve had a whirlwind of a month, but before we get into that, how are you doing right now? Where’s your mindset at?
LEAH KATE:I am doing great! I am on my second to last day of tour. Definitely tired, I’ve been on the road for five weeks, I love it so much! The high of it all keeps me going, but I am definitely starting to feel it today. I am very grateful for this experience, and I am sad it’s coming to an end.
EW: When did you first realise you wanted to pursue music as a career? Did you ever consider other career paths?
LK:I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career when I was like two years old. I was singing before I could speak, and I would see these commercials on TV about singers and had a feeling that one day I would do the same thing. It’s been in me forever, but I never knew it was really possible because I grew up in a family that didn’t have many connections in the music industry. You always needed a record label to make anything happen at the time, so I didn’t think it would actually become a reality; it was always my dream from before I can remember.
EW: In this moment where the world seems yours for the taking, what directions do you want in your career, and is there a genre or type of work you feel really excited about doing?
LK:I like to make songs that make you feel something; I’ll know if it makes me feel something, it’ll also make my audience feel something. If I love to listen to it, then I know I’m headed in the right direction—that’s how I can kind of decide what song I am going to release next.
EW: Why do you make music? Has the reason changed since you first started out?
LK:I make music to help empower myself and my listeners. It’s always been that way. I want to help people, and I feel like music is one way to help: It uplifts your mood, it makes you happy, it makes you feel certain ways, it empowers you. That’s always why I’ve loved writing music because it does all those things for me, so I get joy knowing music does that for other people as well.
EW: How did you find your sound? What would you say were your biggest influences?
LK:My biggest influences for this album were vintage Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Carly Rae Jepsen, Charli XCX and The 1975. It’s really just feel-good pop music. Ultimately, I find my inspiration from what I’m going through in my life, so I just write the truth and that translates into the music. I love to tell very honest stories in my songwriting and that’s where my inspiration stems from.
EW: You’ve quickly established an “idgaf” attitude with hits like “F*ck Up the Friendship,” “F U Anthem,” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” where does that fire come from?
LK:It comes from my past because I spent so much time caring what people think of me my whole life. It used to really take a toll on me, to the point where I actually got a medical exemption in school that excluded me from getting called on in class because I was so scared to speak out loud and share my voice and opinion. I had crippling anxiety about being judged and one day I was just so sick of it that I decided to turn to music to help me. Now, I feel like I have this fire inside of me and I’ve left that part of me in the past. At this point in my life, I couldn't care less what people think. You only live one life so you may as well just go out there and get what you want.
EW: How much of your personal experiences inform your songwriting?
LK:My personal experiences influence my songwriting 100% of the time. I only write what’s true to me and what’s going on in my life so without those experiences, there would be no songs.
EW: How easy is it for you to establish your identity within the work you create?
LK:It’s pretty easy for me to establish my identity as long as I’m being true to myself.
EW: Huge congratulations on your debut album, SUPER OVER! Was there anything in particular you wanted to achieve in putting this out into the world?
LK:I want my listeners to be able to hear the music in this album and be inspired to move on and heal from the person that they’re not over yet or stressing over. I wrote the songs about a really specific person that I needed to become “super over.” Writing it was therapeutic for me and helped me move on and I hope it does the same for someone else.
EW: Do you have a favourite track from the album? Are there any, in particular, that you relate to the most?
LK:My favourite track is probably “Space”. It’s just so much fun to perform and it’s so sassy. It stems from a very sad place, but ultimately leaves me feeling empowered, which is my favourite thing a song can do.
EW: What message do you hope to convey to your listeners overall?
LK:You only live once. Never take no for an answer. Go get what you want and don’t care what anybody thinks, ever.
EW: What’s your favourite part of the songwriting process?
LK:Coming up with an amazing title. There’s nothing more rewarding than being like, “Oh my God, I just thought of this insane title and cool concept.” I always know when I land on something good when it’s a situation a lot of people can relate to, but telling it in a unique, cool way that hasn’t been done before—that’s when I feel like I hit the jackpot.
EW: You’ve just come off of a huge North American tour, what was your favourite experience?
LK:Meeting the fans in all the cities every night is an insane experience. I’ve never headlined in North America before, so everyone who comes and screams my lyrics and supports me is so cool to see. It has just been so fun, I am very grateful.
EW: Tell us about opening for Anne Marie on The Unhealthy Club Tour! How did it come about? Are you excited?
LK:The day I found out I got the Anne-Marie tour was one of the craziest days of my life. I’ve been a fan of Anne-Marie for years. She’s so iconic and such an inspiration. I actually sent her a message on Instagram, telling her how I’d die to open for her and never thought she would respond, but thought it was worth a shot. I remember the day that I got the tour, I was crying in the bathroom at my cousin’s graduation having the worst day ever. I then went to go check my messages and saw she replied asking me if I want to open for her tour. I couldn’t believe my eyes, my day quickly turned upside down.
EW: With so much excitement, what is bringing you the most happiness right now?
LK:Just knowing that people are listening and loving the new songs brings me so much joy. To see people connect and feel empowered by the songs is the best feeling.
EW: Who’s your ideal collaborator?
LK:I would love to make a song with Dua Lipa—I’m obsessed with her. Please make it happen, universe!
EW: What’s one song you wish you had written?
LK:“I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry.
EW: Where are you heading next? Do you believe in making plans/goals for the future?
LK:Absolutely, I set my goals unrealistically high and manifest them into happening. Next, I’ll be selling out stadiums…
EW: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
LK:You’ll never know unless you ask.
Photography by Corrina Day
Styling by Tabitha Sanchez at The Only Agency
Words by Ella West
Hair by Nathaniel Dezan at Opus Beauty
Makeup by Mylah Morales at Opus Beauty
Nails by Sreynin Peng at Opus Beauty
Fashion Assistant Isa Spies
Special thanks to MSA Studios