We first interviewed Amanda Kate in late 2019 and even selected her for our list of 20 Artists to Watch in 2020. We’re thrilled to announce that she released her latest single “Buzzin’” today and has some exciting projects in the works.
Since we last talked, Kate released two videos with an incredibly positive response. “Healing When I Ride” garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube as well as messages from fans worldwide. She mentioned how rewarding it is to get this type of reach and success as an independent artist.
“Buzzin’”
“Buzzin’” is a fun, upbeat song with a positive message about perseverance and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps when things get tough. Being an independent artist is incredibly challenging, even without considering the hardships 2020 has brought. Kate explained that in addition to the financial strain of being an independent artist, they face being judged on metrics that didn’t exist around ten or twenty years ago.
Artists are also subjected to so many opinions about what direction to take their music, whom they should become, etc. Kate mentioned the pressure for her to change her style to pop country, but I’m glad she hasn’t swayed. It’s what makes her music likeable and it’s authentic. She said, “I just want to stay true to what I do and I want to put out music that feels right for me.”
Kate wrote the single quickly and didn’t expect to release it. “I wrote it almost like a pep talk to myself because I was kinda feeling frustrated,” she said. Her producers heard it and encouraged her to release it. Originally, it was just Kate and her guitar. They added the twang and the single was born.
The song discusses a crazy, mixed up world, and Kate actually wrote it before the pandemic happened. I asked how 2020 has affected her, other than the lack of shows. Kate explained how it’s actually been a blessing in disguise. Previously, she was playing over 150 shows per year and this time has allowed her to slow down and gain a new perspective on what it means to be a mother, wife, and friend. She’s been able to spend more time with her family.
To keep herself buzzin’ I had to ask what kind of coffee she keeps in her cup. As a busy mom, a quick cup from the Keurig is often her go-to, but she mentioned a pot of coffee tends to be Foldger’s, reminiscent of her mom’s coffee.
When she has more time, she often rides her horse to the coffee shop. Living in an equestrian community, there are multiple trails, with one leading directly to the local coffee shop, True Brew Coffee. Oftentimes, a group will ride down there and one person stays outside with the horses and the others go in to order. She said, “The owner is really sweet and is always excited when she sees us ride up.”
We can expect more music this year, as Kate plans to release a new single every six weeks. In addition to new music, she’s creating a reality web series called “Cowgirl Nights Under the Lights.” The show will feature fellow artists, as well as craftsmen, like artists who do leather tooling for handbags and saddles.
For more information, visit https://www.amandakatemusic.com/ or listen to “Buzzin'” now.