FEATURE:
Spotlight
Cat Burns
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I have been a fan of Cat Burns’ music for a while now…
but, as she is being tipped by various sources for success in 2021, I think that it is time to put her in Spotlight. Her tracks, Fool in Love, and Go were among my favourite of last year. I love the soulfulness and richness of her voice and how Burns can produce these sumptuous and smooth vocals before raising the decibels and projecting so much power and urgency! One is helpless to resist the passion in her voice. Of all the newer artists coming through right now, I think I want an album from Cat Burns more than most. I am going to bring in a few interview with Burns from the last few years. She has definitely progressed as an artist since her earliest songs, but I think that immense quality and conviction was always there. Back in 2019, EUPHORIA. introduced an amazing teenage artists who, with one amazing E.P. under her belt, was primed for bigger things:
“At just 18 years old, Cat Burns is willing to put her real thoughts and feelings out there. She released her debut EP Adolescent at just 15 years old and was at number 11 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart within 24 hours of its release. Hailing from Streatham, South London, Burns is ready to take the lessons she’s learned into the real world.
The emerging pop songstress deftly crafts conversational lyrics that cut right to the core of feelings that often get lost in miscommunication. The chill, vibey tracks juxtaposed against concise, blunt lyrics highlight what make Cat Burns an artist to watch. She smartly crafts songs where the meaning of her songs don’t disappear behind flowery metaphors; she means exactly what she says.
Cat Burns wisely navigates lyrics that are reflective of the impact that relationships can have on our perspectives. She’s garnered attention from the likes of Complex UK, Earmilk, and Hunger TV and has no intention of slowing down in the new year.
“So far I’ve released two singles, worked with some really cool producers, performed at many intimate venues, and I was also named MSG London’s up & coming artist of the month in October! This year I’ll be releasing lots of new music and hopefully get a support slot,” Cat tells us.
Watch this space”.
I am going to scatter in a few interviews as one can gleam quite a lot of different things about the amazing Cat Burns. Even though there is a lot of hype around Burns now – and I think 2021 will be her breakout year for her -, back in 2019 she was already getting noticed. I love this little snippet from London in Stereo, where they asked Burns a few quick-fire questions:
“The best venue I’ve played…
Definitely the Hammersmith Apollo when I was 11 for Britain’s Got Talent.
Earliest song you remember…
High School Musical – Breaking Free
Things that cheer me up…
Tv shows in particular Rick and Morty, any superhero film and seeing my friends for food or doing fun activities like mini golf or bowling!
If I could play a gig anywhere it would be…
Brixton 02 Academy
I think you should listen to…
This artist called Jvck James he’s amazing and doing something really amazing for UK R&B
If I could see anyone play live it would be…
Definitely Ariana Grande or Beyonce!”.
I think we may see that collaboration between Cat Burns and Ariana Grande happen very soon! It is clear that, with so much great music out there, Burns is capturing the wider attention. Cat Burns put out the E.P., Adolescence, in 2016; when she was being interviewed in 2019, she was preparing to launch her second E.P., Naïve. Featuring tracks like Sober, and Cheater, it is a phenomenal work! I want to bring in an interview from She Bops from 2019. Burns was asked about being a Black artist and young woman in the music industry:
“If listeners could take away one message from your music, what would you want that to be?
Do what you want, and don’t do what you don’t want to do. My music isn’t aimed at any particular gender, but the songs that are coming out are definitely leaning towards empowering women.
Since you’ve brought up empowering women, what do you think about the representation of women in the music industry? Is there something you’d like to change?
I think the representation is okay, it needs to be better. There’s a concept that women aren’t allowed to speak for ourselves because if we do, then we aren’t nice. Men can do and say what they want, but women can’t. This needs to change.
What piece of advice would you give a young female musician looking to get into music?
I’d say make sure that you are sure that this is what you want/are meant to do. There are going to be many trials and tribulations, and you can get low. So, you need to have belief. Do many gigs, build contacts. It’s all about hard work, opportunities, and luck.
As a woman in the music industry, is there something that frustrates you about it?
It is difficult for me, especially as a black woman looking to go down the pop route because there are not many black British women doing that. And people are always surprised, and we get labelled as people who’d go into R&B or hip-hop”.
I am fascinated to see where Cat Burns goes this year and whether we will get an album. I don’t think another E.P. would be out of the question but, as we are not certain when artists can tour again, will see hold off on an album until things are a lot better? I want to bring in a final interview – this one from January of last year –, where we learn more about Burns:
“WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALISE THAT YOU WANTED TO PURSUE MUSIC FULL TIME?
I think I realised as soon as I joined the Brit School! I was 14 and after a few lessons and assemblies my dream didn’t seem that far out of reach anymore.
WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR?
It was actually back in 2017 when I put on my own headline gig, all my friends and family showed up and were singing all the words. I really felt the love that night. It will always be special for me .
WHO DID YOU LISTEN TO GROWING UP?
I grew up listening to gospel, from Kirk Franklin to Jonathan McReynolds. I also grew up listening to Tori Kelly, Ed Sheeran & Stevie Wonder.
It is interesting that, in that interview, she was asked about what her dream collaboration would be - and she said Tori Kelly. It seems Burns is keen to work with a number of different artists, so it will be interesting to see how many collaborations happen in 2021. I shall leave things there. However, do go and check out Cat Burns’ incredible music on Spotify; follow her on social media and keep your eyes peeled. The exceptional artist/songwriter from South London is a graduate from the prestigious BRIT School. At sixteen, she was chosen as BBC Radio 1XTRA's Track of the Week - being described by Jamz Supernova as an exciting new artist delivering “Meaningful Pop, with an Urban Folk/Singer-Songwriter twist”. Since then, Burns has gone from strength to strength and I think she has the promise to be massive! This year will be a very exciting one for her so, if you have not discovered Cat Burns, then make sure you…
CORRECT that now!
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