Kate Morgan's Wild Ride

As the youngest female artist to perform at Lilith Fair, BC's Kate Morgan is making waves in the Canadian music industry.

Most 18-year-olds are still living at home figuring out their next move. Not Kate Morgan – she is currently halfway across Canada making her dreams a reality.

The Kamloops singer/songwriter has accomplished more in her few years in the music business than most are lucky to accomplish in their lifetime. Kate Morgan released her debut self-titled EP in 2009, garnering the attention of music lovers throughout Canada and numerous industry pros.

She was invited to perform at such events as 2009 Juno Fest, Live at Squamish, almost a dozen 2010 Olympic Games showcases and as an opener for Canadian rocker Fefe Dobson. This summer she was a feature act at the Malkin Bowl summer concert series, sharing the bill with Somali-Canadian rapper K’Naan and Rolling Stone magazine’s August cover band, The Sheepdogs.

Fresh off her first Canadian tour with indie-pop artist James Struthers, Kate talked to Youthink about how her career has evolved and where it is currently leading her.

“My mom used to sing in choirs and play djembe in drum circles,” Kate recalls. “I was always immersed in it, so when I was old enough, the transition between observing and taking part was really easy.” Kate names Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan and rocker Sheryl Crow as major influences on taking the next step to focus on songwriting.

In 2010, Kate caught the attention of Nettwerk Music Group CEO Terry McBride, who invited Kate to partake in the 2010 revival of Lilith Fair. Kate’s well-received performance got her invited back to Lilith for the finale performance in Vancouver. The Vancouver show included two of her two biggest influences – Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow – as well as the “Queen of Neo-Soul,” Erykah Badu, and many other powerhouse artists. At only 16 years old, Kate was the youngest female artist to perform at Lilith Fair.

“Lilith Fair has definitely been the highlight of my career thus far. Playing on that stage with those women had been a goal of mine for years, so accomplishing it felt incredible.”

A former Youthink Best Teen Band Contest Top 10 finalist, Kate admits her decision to travel around the country on her first-ever tour was made on a whim. “James Struthers and I were originally only scheduled to play a few shows in BC together. We ended up being really compatible musically and personally, so after only a few days of knowing each other, we decided to take the leap of faith and have me join the rest of the tour!”

The journey was an immense success for both James and Kate, and she was able to shed some light on what being on the road is like, especially with another artist. “It’s friggin’ awesome. There are definitely ups and downs; a lot of long drives, a lot of ham sandwiches and a lot of fun. Every day is different and equally valuable.

“James says it’s a lot better having someone else [on tour] to share the experiences with. When you tour by yourself, all the weight lies on your shoulders. It’s really nice to have someone around with you through the lows and to celebrate the highs.

“[The experience] has taught me a lot about kindness,” says Kate. “The amount of generosity and support we’ve gotten from venues, fans, friends and family has been incredible. It’s been really inspiring and encourages me to not only continue to pursue music but also support others’ dreams and goals.”

When asked what she thinks is the right time for an artist to go on tour: “I don’t know if there is a wrong time to tour. I would definitely make sure you have some music to sell off the stage.  Ready yourself for the up and down moments. Bring a camera, lots of smiles and hugs, oh, and maybe an audio book for the long drives.”

Keep your eyes out for Kate Morgan. Currently in the process of writing and recording her second EP, she is sure to cause quite the commotion – in all the right ways.