Meet Emilee Kate | Singer/Songwriter, Performer, Mental Health Professional & Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emilee Kate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emilee, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
In general, I want my legacy to be that I made an honest and relentless effort to leave the world better than I found it. In the context of my music, I hope to make music that facilitates joy, healing, understanding, or any of the other emotions that are a part of the human experience. I’ve always heard it said that music is a universal language, and I believe that music can be used to bring people together by reminding us that despite our differences, we’re all human beings with many shared experiences. I just want to use whatever platform I have, no matter how big or small, to make a positive impact, and I hope that I’m remembered for that,

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think what sets me and my art apart is my aversion to being put in any kind of box. I have so many influences when it comes to my music and my writing, I don’t think I’ll ever fit into one genre or market. I love rock, funk, soul, blues, country, folk, bluegrass, and so much more, and when I write, I tend to just go with whatever sound honors the lyrics the most. Lyrically, I’ve always been an avid reader of fiction and poetry, so I tend to write lyrics that are complex, layered, and sprinkled with vivid imagery.

As for what I’m most proud of, it is hands down the fact that I’m here, in Nashville, showing up and participating in the music industry in some form or fashion every week. I didn’t grow up playing music or performing on a stage. I grew up painfully shy, quiet, reserved, and avoiding the spotlight whenever possible (with the exception of the occasional talent show or choir solo, which rarely ever went well since I had so little experience). It wasn’t until my college years that I started singing in front of a crowd consistently, and even then, it was only a few songs a week. There is no logical reason why I should be here right now, other than the fact that I felt a spark inside of me telling me I had to try, and I listened to it. Some weeks, I spend less time working on my music than other weeks, and I feel like less of a musician as a result; but I always remind myself that I’m here in Music City, still writing, still singing, still playing shows, and as long as I’m making music, I am a musician.

I got where I am today by taking many shots in the dark, to be honest. I had no idea what I was doing or what the plan was, I just knew I had to try, so I moved to Nashville and got to work. It absolutely wasn’t easy, and I had to learn a lot of lessons the hard way. I learned how shady the industry can truly be, how to assess who to trust, and the kind of people I want to surround myself with. After almost 8 years in Nashville, it’s become more important to me than ever to surround myself with people who are kind, genuine, honest, and who wholeheartedly love and support their people. I call them my chosen family, and I’m forever grateful for the ways they impact my life. Most importantly, I’ve learned to honor what matters to me, and to not let anyone convince me to take a path that I don’t want to take. I think the only way I really overcame the challenges was by not letting anything or anyone keep me down, and by learning from my mistakes. Every time something didn’t work out the way I’d hoped, I’d be upset for a little while, and then I’d tell myself “well, that didn’t work, let’s not do that again, let’s try something different.” Every single mistake is a learning opportunity, and if you don’t learn from it, it’s a wasted opportunity.

I want the world to know that in an era of content creation and constant engagement, I’m not trying to use social media to convince anyone that I’m anything other than me. I’m introverted, kind of awkward, I geek out over weird things, I’m obsessed with my animals, and I don’t have the energy or the attention span to post on a schedule. If you choose to follow along, that’s exactly what you’ll see, but you’ll also see me making music with my friends, performing on stage, traveling, and navigating an industry that I still don’t fully understand, but I’m thrilled to be a part of.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Every time I get asked this question by someone visiting Nashville, my mind always goes blank! This one’s tough because I really love trying new restaurants and experiences, and it’s hard for me to narrow down my favorites. You can’t go wrong with Motown Monday at The 5 Spot in East Nashville. It’s all motown music, and everyone dances; there’s so much joy in that room on a Monday night, it’s guaranteed fun every time. As for all-around good live music, Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Printer’s Alley is one of my favorite spots. They always have top-tier musicians playing fantastic songs, and I just can’t recommend that place enough. For fans of more traditional country music, I like to recommend the Music Valley bars located near Opryland (mainly Nashville Palace and Music City Bar and Grill). One of my favorite spots for drinks is called The Greenhouse Bar in Green Hills, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a bar in a greenhouse. The ambience is adorable and the cocktails are delicious! As for food, my favorite pizza in town is a little spot located near where I live called NY Pie. They have a couple of locations in Nashville, and they are the best NY style pizza I’ve found yet (but to be clear, I am not from NY and have no idea what I’m talking about, I just know what I like). I’m also a big sushi lover, and my favorite sushi place in Nashville is called Koi Sushi and Thai, simply because they have a WIDE selection of rolls to choose from. They also have a few locations around town. For drinks, food, and experiences all rolled into one, I love Tailgate Brewery HQ located in West Nashville. They’ve always got fun events going on, like outdoor movie nights and painting classes, and you can grab some pizza, wings, and a beer, cider, or seltzer while you participate! Finally, I can’t mention Nashville eats without mentioning Daddy’s Dogs hot dog stands for your late night cravings. I recommend it to everyone. It is hands down the best hot dog you’ll ever have in your life, and you have to try it with cream cheese (yes, really). I could go on and on about the things that Nashville has to offer, but I’ll leave it at those for now!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I draw inspiration from so many different individuals, including poets, authors, psychologists, songwriters, performers, and so many more, that it’s difficult to narrow it down into one definitive list. But in regard to who deserves the most recognition in my story, there is only one person that I can’t go without mentioning, and that’s my mom. As a child, my mom was my everything: she was my safety net, my constant, my best friend, and a never-ending source of love and security. As an adult, I grew to see that my mom was human. She was fallible, she made mistakes, and she was imperfect, but the one thing that never changed over time was how much I knew she loved me. My mom taught me to love fiercely, to never give up (even when everything seems to be falling apart), and to never lose the ability to stand on my own two feet. Sadly, my mom passed away in November of 2022, but she is, and always will be, an integral part of everything that I do.

Instagram: @emkatemusic

Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Feature photo: Tennessee Rick Photo with red velvet background: Oceanna