Meet Kate Ekin: Singer-songwriter

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

Hi Kate, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Music, like most professions, has its fair share of ebbs and flows. While the ebbs used to stress me out and make me feel like I constantly needed to be doing something, I now welcome them and rest. I refuel. I rearrange. I find the balance in the parts of my life that I was most likely neglecting when music was flowing. Balance is something that I am continuously striving for in every aspect of my life; With the balance of career and passion fighting to stay at the forefront. As I’ve pursued music professionally now for a decade, I have realized that balance isn’t something that is linear. Its nearly impossible to give the necessary attention to all the things, all the time. Instead, I notice while I have a few things well balanced, there are others I am compromising with in order to obtain success in those select few things. It was a hard to pill to swallow; I am not superwoman. I can not do it all, 100%, and all at the same time. Trying to will do more harm than good. But, balance in life is ever changing. While this mindset doesn’t always come easily to me-to “go with the flow” has been extremely beneficial. My health is important: physically, mentally, emotionally. If I am not prioritizing those things in some way, everything else is out of whack. Being able to take a step back and to rest, has allowed me to refuel and be more productive when I have the opportunity to be. Now, I feel ready to go go go when I need to, and to rest rest rest when I need to. 

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’ve loved music since I can remember. Listening to tapes and records, watching my dad perform; dreaming of creating the kind of music that served as a soundtrack to my life. But, I was a shy kid. I had this connection to music that felt very personal and I kept it to myself as much as I could. And then I started writing songs… While music to this day remains extremely personal in the way I write, it’s also allowed me to step out of my shell and to connect with people in a way that I used to run away from. It’s challenged me to become my own business-Learning the ins and outs, the industry itself, the networking, the contract reading and negotiating, it has all helped me grow into my own. It’s forced me face my fears, to step out of every comfort zone, and most importantly, to trust my instincts. It hasn’t always welcomed me with open arms, but I’ve always returned it a smile and a kindness. I’ve always gotten back up when I felt defeated or uninspired. And because of that, it has made me resilient. And the resilience is what continues to push me to do better and to be better as a creative. And creatively, I believe we are always growing. I believe that art is ever-changing and should change with you- it should pull from our current perspectives on old or new circumstances. And that growth has definitely inspired my new music. I am so excited and hope to connect with listeners on an even deeper level as these new tracks make their way into the world over the next few months. First to be released is “Come On Back To Me” on December 14, and two more to follow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Start the day with a hike at Fryman Canyon, lunch at Granville in Studio City, afternoon Ventura Blvd window shopping, then dinner and drinks at Laurel Tavern, Studio City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so thankful to have my family, friends, and community by my side. They have been my biggest support and source of encouragement. They’ve inspired, mentored, and helped me in more ways than they know, and I love them all!

Website: www.katieekin.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/katieekin
Twitter: www.twitter.com.katieekin
Facebook: www.facebook.com/katieekinmusic
Youtube: www.youtube.com/katieekin

Image Credits
Molly Gilholm