Kat Von D sits down to answer some Qs from Soundsphere’s Dom Smith to talk through new music, inspirations and what’s coming up for the acclaimed tattooist, and multimedia artist.
Credit: Sad Swim
Hi Kat, thanks for your time!! Can you talk me through what your day looks like at the moment and what you are working on that you can tell me?
As of late, I find myself covered in dust and sweat. I’ve been rigorously renovating a Victorian house and homestead here in the rural Midwest of the country. I’m trying to get the family moved in and settled before the new album comes out in the summer and touring begins, so it’s been hectic, to say the least!
Aside from that, I’ve been doing the usual — homeschooling my son, working on my shoe line, and prepping to release a ton of new music in the next few months!
The Dead video is fantastic – as a person who has built a career on strong visuals, would I be accurate in assuming that you put an incredible amount of time into how your videos/image is presented to the world – how important is that aspect of your musical output?
I absolutely love storytelling through music and visuals. I think all the years of learning the production side of television and film has made making music videos that much more exciting.
Music videos like ‘Dead’ are more on the simple side though. I usually love making music videos with a narrative, but in this case, I knew from the day we wrote the song that I would be doing a goth aerobics video to go along with it.
My intention was to have a serious take on a funny subject. Obviously, I’m the last person who should be teaching a workout routine!
How has your definition of success as a person (not necessarily as a performer) changed over the years?
Hm. I probably have the same cliche answer that a lot of people say, but I think perhaps having a kid magnifies the importance of a much more meaningful legacy that has nothing to do with fame, status, or money.
By no means were those three things the driving force behind any of my art. But I did find my life revolving solely around work. And aspects of that are fun for sure but ultimately left my heart unfulfilled. The more I dig deeper into my faith, marriage, and motherhood, the more apparent these things seem.
How do you look back at Love Made Me Do It now, and what you achieved during that period?
I love seeing the evolution. Much like tattooing, my goal is always to outdo myself. I just wanna be (and get) better at whatever it is I’m doing. Although I am so proud of my first album, I’m more excited to share this upcoming new one with the world. I really wanted to push myself vocally on this one, and it feels so much stronger overall.
How do you approach collaboration now, having worked with the likes of Shari, Ferras, and Fernando? Has that approach changed?
I absolutely loved the songwriting process on this new album! I think working with Shari Short and Ferras especially —- I just discovered a new found admiration for songwriters, the real unsung heroes of this industry. My bandmates and I would put together chord progressions on a synth landscape, and Ferras would walk in and crate these top-line melodies out of his mind that would make me cry. They were so beautiful. Truly made a fan outta me.
What things are motivating you right now, in June 2024 – other artist’s music, movies?
I think the latest new album I downloaded was Gunship’s new album. They’re one of my all-time favorite synth wave bands. Hands down. As for movies, I’d say my favorite genre tends to be in the exorcism realm, but haven’t seen any good ones lately, to be honest.
Do you have a message for your supporters in the UK and Europe?
Oh man! I love all my UK/EU homies! We are so excited to be coming out on tour out there soon! Finally!
Thanks so much for the time, much appreciated!
Thank YOU!
