Getting to Know. . . KATE KLIM
 by Kathy S-B  ·  21 June 2007

Kate Klim’s name and great reputation has been on my musical radar screen for some time now. She’s been a regular on the Boston-area music scene and has recently released her first fully produced and distributed CD called “Up and Down and Up Again.” Klim’s early influences include John Lennon, Billy Joel, and Carole King — her piano playing heroes and she’s recently been influenced by more contemporary acoustic counterparts—Patty Griffin and Chris Trapper. You can read a whole lot more about her at her website.

Kate has won all kind of awards and she has quickly become a favorite in the Boston area. Watch her in action on this video clip.

You went to Berklee School of Music. Was that an intense experience for you? Had you ever found yourself around so many talented musicians before?

It’s definitely intense — not just the caliber of talent, but just how surrounded you are by music at all times. There are people there who practiced 4+ hours a day, and would eat, breathe and sleep music. I resisted that a bit. Music was always (and still is) my passion and my life’s work, but I’ve always left room for a healthy bit of human interaction, side hobbies, and other things that provide content for songwriting (and prevent insanity).

You’re just back from competing in the New Folk contest at Kerrville. How was that experience? We hear so much about Kerrville. Is it everything and more than people say?

It’s everything and nothing that people say. I was told how great the community would be (which it was), but was not warned about the rain. I met an amazing group of people, but only lasted 3 days in the outdoors. Next year I’ll shoot for 4.

Producer Crit Harmon compares you to Carole King. I’m impressed, especially coming from a producer who has worked on albums with Mary Gauthier and Lori McKenna. Apparently Carole was one of your early influences. What was it about her music that spoke to you?

I think the first thing that struck me, being an adolescent when I discovered “Tapestry” in my mother’s record collection, was that she had done what I was trying to do. There weren’t too many women singer/songwriters who played piano. Every song on that album was brilliant, and since I was listening to it on vinyl, carried me away to another time.

I understand that you had a horrible experience earlier this year; your keyboard was stolen from your car. Knowing how close performers are to their instruments, I imagine this must have felt like losing a good friend. However, I understand that there is a happy ending to the story. Can you tell us a little bit about what happened?

First off, I must say that it was the only time I’d ever left it in my car overnight. (Cue sad string line…) I was sick, it was about ten degrees out, and I just didn’t have it in me to carry it up three floors to my apartment. It wasn’t even visible — it was in the trunk — so I’m pretty sure it was a neighbor who broke into my car and took it. When I discovered it missing the next day I was devastated. Having just completed an album, I didn’t have tons of money to throw around. Luckily, I posted the story on my site, and to my e-mail list, and the response was incredible. I had enough money to buy a new (better) keyboard within ten days. So it just goes to show you, there are more good people than bad out there.

The name of your new CD is called “Up and Down and Up Again.” I guess you could say that relates to the tale of the keyboard. If you could describe the music on that CD in one word, what would it be?

Just one? You saved the toughest question for last. Here it is:

“Sincere.”