Katy Henderson and The Falling Stars become bright lights on the music scene with the launch of their CD.
In a world where rising stars are celebrated, Katy Henderson loves the grace of falling stars. And in a brash time when bigger is considered better, Katy is mindful of things that start small. No wonder her band is called Katy Henderson and the Falling Stars and her debut CD is all things start small.
While Katy revels in the grace of small things, there is nothing small about this Vancouver Island native’s talent — or her voice.
In fact, if you were to hear Katy sing, you would know in your bones that singing is what she is born to do — in the way you know it about Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones or Joni Mitchell. There’s an authenticity to her voice that taps you deep inside and keeps you returning for yet another listen.
“The title all things start small is a testament to the fact that all ideas, dreams, visions start out as small nuggets,” says Katy. “This idea of the power and magic of all things small came about through by seeing my son Angus begin his life as an itty-bitty thing and grow, change and explore, and do things that in the beginning were simply not possible. Yet, the seed was there and here he is…”
The album itself was born in the basement recording studio of Gus Verstraten of Earth Rhythm Productions in Victoria, British Columbia. Joining Katy are Bruce Young on guitar, German Ebert (of The Laundronauts) on drums and David Bigsby on bass. Most of the songs are written by Katy with a few tracks by American singer-songwriter Gillian Welsh, including “No one knows my name.”
One of the most compelling songs on all things start small is the haunting “Father’s Kin” inspired by Katy’s father’s college roommate, Chris Miller, who had died of cancer five years before. The lyrics are pure poetry: Thank you for the silence/and all that it reveals/thank you for the gracefulness/by which you yielded your life…
The simple and beautiful “In this heart” was written by Katy for her wedding to bassist Dave Bigsby; and the country-infused “Star of the Country Down” brings in the folklore and myths of Ireland.
Where she did come from is a musical family who spent their family gatherings sitting around singing and playing music. “We would go to church then for Sunday lunch and sing — I would stand up and sing for a family of 35. So it was always part of who I was.”
She began taking music classes at age five, studying the Kodály Method of music education which studies have shown improves intonation, rhythm skills, music literacy, and the ability to sing in increasingly complex parts. For a vocalist, it was the ideal method. “It focuses on voice,” says Katy, “and I would go every week and sing every week. For me, it was a grounded reason to sing on a regular basis.”
When Katy’s parents divorced when she was 12, music was her solace. “It was a confusing time, when you feel the ground disappear beneath you and you feel anger — but this voice, my voice, it was my companion. It was always there for me.”
“You realize your voice is an instrument that is always with you, wherever you are. My voice always served to reconnect me with myself during hard times. I didn’t always recognize myself but I would recognize my voice and say, ‘This is who I am.’ It was always a place of confidence for me.”
In her 20s, Katy “bridged the crevice” and began to write her own songs. In to her 30s, and through the birth of her son, her confidence grew and so did her voice which is unique but reminiscent of Irish musicians Sinead O’Connor or Andrea Corr. At the same time, Katy is no Irish wannabee. Her sound — which might best be described as crossover folk — is her own.
“As my life became more my own, I looked at the dark places and came though that to the next level. I always felt like I was denying part of myself and as soon as that was let go, I released and moved to a new place with my music.
The result is an extraordinarily melodic album of great nuance, one that moves with the texture and variety of music and of life. The album is personal in the way that the best music is — it’s Katy’s story yet it also becomes the story of whoever listens because they relate to it. “Once you get yourself as a songwriter, once I got it, it’s like it became my job to share,” she says.
What inspires her? Jill Barber, Norah Jones, some Bette Midler, Eddie Vedder…and love. “Love inspires me, it really does. As well as once denying my own voice, I also denied love — but I know it know as a loving presence and a sacred thing. I feel compelled to share.”
That sharing meant performing at coffee houses and folk nights.”Before, I didn’t always get the power of my voice so I jut kept it small — but now I’m sure,” says Katy. The launch of her CD at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria, BC was so affirming, she plans on more performing.
“I know that singing is what I’m born to do and the songs I’ve sung reflect how I’m doing in my life.”
If this is the case, Katy Henderson and The Falling Stars are shining.
For a taste of all things are small, visit cdbaby.com
Visit Katy’s website
Photo Credits
http://chrisholtphotos.com/
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