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

Hi Cate, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Drive and confidence. When I was 17, I realized if I didn’t try to make career as an artist I would regret it for rest of my life, so I started trying. I had a very clear vision of what kind of person/artist I wanted to become, but I knew I needed a couple of years to grow into myself, my voice, and better my songwriting. I believed in myself before anyone else did (or should have), and since I turned 17 I have dedicated myself to improving my craft and strengthening my confidence. Sometimes I wish I started going for it earlier, but looking back, everything that I have done and everything that has happened to me in the last five years has put me in the right place. I never thought I was the most talented singer, and I still don’t. I knew that any success I would experience would come from being disciplined and knowing that when I set a goal for myself, I will do anything it takes to achieve it. It also helps that there is nothing that makes me happier than songwriting, so I am truly enjoying the journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been writing songs since I was in third grade. When I got to high school, pursuing a career as an artist wasn’t even on my radar. I did not think my songs were good, so I just wrote them as a way to decompress after school. I ended up switching to online school for my senior year so I could travel for horseback riding full time, and with the extra time I had I got more into music and started thinking about it as something I could really go for. No one really knew I sang or was writing songs, so when I asked my parents if they knew any producers in the area it definitely seemed out of nowhere–and it kind of was. I realized no one was ever going to make me pursue music and I wasn’t going to magically be discovered. I also knew I was starting late, and I would need to go from this brand new mindset of suddenly believing in myself to convincing the people around me I could do it. To be honest, I felt pretty alone during this process, but not in a bad way. I went to college and completely changed, as many people do in college, and collected experiences that I’ve used to write my songs. After meeting my producers in 2022, I spent my last year of college working on my EP Blueberry Season. I graduated in May of this year and released the EP on August 28th. It feels like my first real achievement that I want people to judge my work on. I would not say it was easy, but I don’t think I’ve been proud of anything that was easy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I just moved to LA on August 1st! I’m still getting a feel for things, but if a friend were here I’d take them to the Malibu pier for lunch and a beach day, and maybe to Olivetta on Melrose for dinner and drinks. My friend took me to Wasteland to thrift the other day and I had the time of my life so we’d probably go there too. If they were into music I’d also take them to Jesse and Friends at Hotel Cafe. I’ve seen some of the coolest songwriters perform there and it’s always a good time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am without Hannah Schneider. Hannah started her music blog ‘Unheard Gems’ when we were seniors in high school, right when I was recording my first songs. We knew each other from middle school, so we decided to work together. She’s helped me with PR since then, and a year and a half ago, she introduced me to my producers, John Sinclair and Fil Thorpe. Hannah was probably the first person to believe in me.

Website: https://www.catetomlinson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catetomlinson/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCREiLR1I5DGczHmyuTjTHww

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/44JI8Kf7e9qDhfEebdD2Y2?si=kgMEiRYXSCydkMUdLOdnBQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cate-tomlinson/1500147006

Image Credits
Justin Ayers, Jessica Christian

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