After leaving Austin in 2012 for the big city (NYC), Houston native Kat Edmonson is back in Austin this week for her “The Big Picture” Winter Tour. Her third album, which released on September 30, 2014, showcases more of her charm and graceful songwriting abilities-she wrote or co-wrote almost every song- and infuses much of her classically-trained romantic style. She creates a unique blend of jazz, classic standards, and pop which she calls Vintage Pop. A new genre is born. She defines her style as ‘being reminiscent of popular music from bygone eras’. Whatever you call it, The Big Picture is sunny and uplifting.
Kat’s music video for the single “Rainy Day Woman” is captivating in an Audrey Hepburn look and style with romance, fashion, and the big city background. A little James Bond-esque the video portrays her as a photographer in the classical sense using an old school film camera and developing photos in a darkroom. This merging of film and music most likely stems from her childhood (she wrote her first song at age 9) and her passions- movies, music, and musicals.
In 2013, Kat embarked on her U.S. Tour promoting “Way Down Low”. The 2012 kickstarter-funded album received much love from the likes of The New York Times, NPR, Billboard, itunes and The Boston Globe. The Times called the album “fresh as a spring bouquet” which included new original work. Since then she has toured with various artists and collaborated with icons like Lyle Lovett with their popular duet of the classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” -the track on his “Release Me” album. Edmonson has performed on “Austin City Limits”, “Prairie Home Companion” and has been featured on NPR.
Her love letter to Austin published in the Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/love-letters/kat-edmonson-loves-austin_b_2999124.html both sweet and funny, is written brilliantly as if speaking to an ex-lover. Kat is humble and gracious in appreciation of Austin’ music roots, amazing venues including the Elephant Room, and shout-outs to instrumental people that gave her breaks and helped build her confidence. She reminisces of her days here singing as a waitress and of open mic nights on South Congress. Kat also reveals her desires and wishes including dreams of performing at the Paramount Theater and ACL Live (done and done). Next? Don’t be surprised if you see her with a large orchestra or Harry Connick Jr. in the future.
This week Edmonson tours Texas- Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Waco, and of course, Houston. You can see her dreams come true, performing at the iconic Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater this Wednesday February 11, 2015. Find out more on Kat including her upcoming tour schedule here http://www.katedmonson.com/.
