Tag Archives: Katy Seath

A Day in the Life of Katy Seath By Katy Seath

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This week is half term so I take a break from my usual Monday – Thursday evenings running Rock Choir rehearsals. Today is going to be a busy one and in a way I realise it captures so much of what makes up my work as a musician – both as choir leader, singer and performer.

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Credit: Pierre LeMond Photography Studio

I’m up and out by 9am. I’m en route to meet my friend, Darren, who has asked if I can arrange a choir flashmob performance for his colleagues  at the Home Office. Instead of an open plan set up (having referred to the event as their ‘town hall meeting with 200 staff’) I instead find myself in an office with work units, chairs, photocopiers and computers. Oh dear Darren never mentioned all the ‘stuff’.  We talk through how (on earth) I am going to fit in 45 choir members.

I leave a little behind schedule to attend a rehearsal with Bassistry at a studio space near Elephant and Castle. It’s miserably cold day so its not ideal that the space only has one heater. Hot tea will have to suffice. I’ve been a vocalist for the group for almost 10 years but our live performances have been very occasional.  Made up of a variety of top players, the band is lead by Marcel Pusey. I describe Marcel as a music entrepreneur – working internationally running workshops in composing, designing educational music software that’s sold around the world as well as making albums and collaborating with other musicians/singers (like me!).

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Some of Bassistry players. Left to Right. Katy Seath, Nicola Bull, Marcel Pusey, Sam Agard.

I love his music and am excited the new album is ready to launch. Today’s rehearsal is to prepare for the show case in a few weeks. It also allows us to ascertain how the electronic sounds can be recreated on stage. It’s the first time we’ve included this element and it becomes a little stressful.  While Marcel talks with Sam on drums, I check my emails. Two more choir members wanting to do the flashmob (that’s 47 now!) Another message asks if I can do a piano/vocal gig at my usual hotel near Russell Square. Having emails on your phone can mean you’re always switched on for work and being self employed it feels like you have to.

katy on chair smiling Credit: Pierre LeMond Photography Studio

Back to the rehearsal. Cues and count ins get slightly confusing and it takes some time to put things right.  But once under way, it feels so wonderful to sing with the guys. There is nothing better to experience performing with such superb instrumentalists – I’m much more in my element singing live in this way than in the recording studio.

The rehearsal ends and it’s a quick au revoir as I head into central London. It’s still cold and miserable, so this time it will be wine to warm me up.

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The evening is purely for pleasure as I meet with five friends at a restaurant near the Aldwych Theatre. It’s no coincidence that we’re meeting here.  Afterwards we are going to watch our amazing friend, Katie Brayben, perform as Carole King in the musical ‘Beautiful’.

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We all know each other through singing as part of The Rockabellas – a vintage vocal group.  My experiences with The Rockabellas have been some of the most enjoyable – dressing up in ultra feminine styles, 1940’s hair, pillar box red lipstick and glamorous venues. But by far the best thing has been to make friendships and professional links with these incredibly talented vocalists. Their backgrounds range from West End to Ronnie Scotts and beyond. I have had ‘fan’ moments with all of them. Tonight is no different. Having just laughed and cried our way through the show, we stand in the rain by the stage door waiting for Katie. I’m in heaven. Not just because I am a huge Carole King fan and would say she inspired me to be a singer pianist, but also because I get to see a friend do what she loves best on stage.

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To hear some examples of Katy’s work, visit katyseath.com

Bassistry’s Album ‘What The Hell Do You Call This’ can be ordered through www.bassistry.com. Their album launch is at The Hoxton Bar and Kitchen on Tuesday, 10th March, 8pm . Tickets can be purchased through ticketweb.co.uk or on the door.

Learn more about The Rockabellas and look out for their new album through www.theRockabellas.com

 

 

 

Rock Choir at Abbey Road Studios – Yeah Yeah Yeah By Katy Seath

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“Rock Choir: When I had slightly more time, I was a member of Katy Seath’s High Wycombe Rock Choir. Somehow this girl makes even ‘out of tune no pitch’ people like me hit the notes, and what’s more, enjoy doing it. But we don’t just sing, we have to remember steps. Crikey. She is such a fun girl, and so good and everyone would follow her if she asked us to do it on a tightrope. I have sung with them on the pitch at Wembly, something I thought would never happen to me. But now, heights undreamed of – wish I’d been with ‘em…” Margaret Graham

Rock Choir at Abbey Road Studios – Yeah yeah yeah By Katy Seath.

Rock Choir members from Hampstead, Chiswick, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and High Wycombe visited Abbey Road Studios on Sunday 1st February to record Viva La Vida, Fall At Your Feet and Time After Time. They were lead by choir leader, Katy Seath

I’ve been a choir leader for Rock Choir for almost 6 years. In that time, I have seen and done some pretty ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ things – conducting on the pitch at Wembley Stadium, performing onstage at the O2, … it has all made for an exciting musical journey. So getting the opportunity to take 240 members from my choirs to the iconic Abbey Road Studios and record 3 songs seemed just another remarkable tick on the list. Yet this particular event stands out from the rest. As well as my own sense of occasion and significance, it was the members’ reactions that showed me just how special this opportunity was.

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Arriving early, I was greeted by Kevin – an exceptionally friendly security guard. He gave me a quick tour of the building as he commented, ‘That’s where they recorded Dark Side Of The Moon.’ ‘Right,’ I said. I absorbed my surroundings as Kevin continued to chat before arriving at the sound desk. As a professional singer I have seen many recording studios, ranging from makeshift set ups in bedrooms and garages to fully kitted studios. But this really was the Mecca of them all.

Looking through the window, I saw the space where the choir would sing, as well as the grand piano I would play on the recording of ‘Fall At Your Feet’. Placing my headphones on, I heard the beautiful string quintet who had recorded their part the previous day. I had to get all this done in 10 minutes before the choir members arrived. No pressure then.

music2I split the choirs into 2 groups across the morning and afternoon, and ran to the same schedule with each. First, we stood on the steps for Abbey Road to take the all important pictures with our photographer, Darren. We grinned through the cold with Rock Choir t shirts on show, while intrigued passers by, and tourists, stood on the other side of the gate taking their own snaps on cameras and smart phones. Feeling like Rock Stars, the excitement started to build. Next, we moved inside to the famous Studio 2 (home to The Beatles recordings) where the choir received the all important briefing from Jim Hawkins.

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As the choir began to file their way into the large space, I watched them taking it all in. The team at the studios are well accustomed to Rock Choir visits, so all I had to think about was conducting the singers and striving for the best sound we could make. Extra rehearsals and small lectures from me about ‘ the recording experience’ had all lead to this point. While Darren quietly moved around us to capture the moments, we warmed up, put on our head phones and listened obediently to sound engineer Simon Rhode’s gentle but cheeky voice in our ears, as he sat at the mixing desk. The choir relaxed and the performance seemed to be captured by the third take.

Witnessing the pride, focus and joy of the choir reminded me of my good fortune to work in such a magical world. Singing each week at rehearsals brings a huge amount of satisfaction, so taking our work and immortalizing it in such a way made us feel like as though we were, and are, a tiny part of history.

www.rockchoir.com