Kat and the Hurricane
By Megan Piunti
We sat down with this queer-synth-pop-rock band for a conversation and mini-performance at their recording studio in Madison, WI. (Thank you to Matthew LaPlante at Madtown Mix Studio) We talked about their process of making music, queer representation in the music industry, and their commitment to supporting inclusive communities for musicians and music-lovers. Read, watch, and listen below!
Kat and the Hurricane is made up of Kat (they/them) on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Alex (they/them) on percussion and drums, and Benjamin (they/them) on keyboard and vocals. They describe their eclectic style and approach to their music as “every genre, every gender.”
The band started as a solo project, with Kat playing open-mics in Janesville, WI. The first EP, Miles Away, illustrates a very acoustic, indie-folk style. The band eventually became a trio, with Benjamin and Alex joining, and veered into the alternative realm with the release of their 2020 EP, Libra. By the time their Sorry EP came out in 2021, Kat and the Hurricane were fully embracing synth-rock and bubblegrunge. Their self-given tagline of “sad lesbian music” is a nod to some of their inspirations (boygenius, Tegan and Sarah, MUNA, and Claud, to name a few), as well as a way to recognize and celebrate their community. “We love the queer and femme indie-rockers of the world.” (Alex)
Identity is a huge theme in Kat and the Hurricane’s music. They strive to be the representation for queer and trans folks in the music world that they all would have loved to see growing up. “I grew up listening to Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul McCartney… all of the CDs that my dad burned for me. So that's the knowledge of music that I had, until I got older and realized that I could expand my tastes by listening to queer and trans people.” (Kat) The band’s lyrics are incredibly vulnerable, revolving around their personal experiences of navigating the world and culminating in themes like trauma, body image, mental health, and relationships.
“When we share bills with other queer bands, it is so affirming and incredible to do that. It's community for us, and it's a way to uplift each other.” (Kat) This feeling led to “Kat and the Hurricane Presents,” the band’s self-organized queer variety show, where they both perform and showcase drag and burlesque performances, comedy, local vendors, and (of course) live bands. There have been a handful of these shows over the past couple of years, gracing venues including Bos Meadery, the Majestic Theatre, and (coming up on June 28th) Cactus Club in Milwaukee.
Though their sound has evolved over the years, one thing is definitely consistent: Kat and The Hurricane is overflowing with passion. “There's just something about being in a room with people and playing live music that's really magical, and allows music to take on its own life. As the person on the stage, at some point, you're kind of letting go of what the song is to you and you're letting it mean something to everybody else.” (Benjamin) Dreamy guitar and synth layer together, led by steady beats and powerful vocals, to create anthems that anyone can find meaning and comfort in.
Check out Kat and the Hurricane’s music (including their new single “On My Way Back”) on Spotify!
See upcoming dates on their website to catch a live show: https://katandthehurricane.com
“We just coexisted at the same time but never crossed paths until this one day that they were playing the open mic that I had been attending for years.”
How did the band get its start?
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“We call ourselves “sad lesbian music.” I think for the people that hear that and are like, “Oh yeah, I know what you mean by that,” we’re like, “Yeah, totally,” *finger guns*.”
How do you describe your sound?
Can you take us through your songwriting process?
“It's become very collaborative. And very eclectic, which is why we jokingly call it “every genre and every gender.”
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“Regardless of what the nature of the lyrics are, whether that's difficulties in a relationship, or falling in love, or exploring mental health, and things like that… we are experiencing them as queer and trans people.”
What topics or themes do you like to work into your music?
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What is your favorite song to perform live?
“‘Sorry That I’m Like This’ -Kat. ‘Out of My Mind’ -Alex. ‘Walls’ -Benjamin.”
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Where has been your favorite place to perform?
“Live on King Street. It's a free summer concert series that happens in downtown Madison on King Street, facing the Capitol, and they do it every year.”
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“The point of it is to uplift the queer and trans people that don't necessarily get that kind of opportunity. We want to continue to grow it.”
Can you tell us about your variety show?
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Can you describe the Madison music scene in five words or less?
“Scrappy, grassroots, decentralized, under-supported, community. -Alex.”
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Any exciting future plans you can tell us about?
“Our new single is coming out on June 16th, called “On My Way Back.” It is some of our most hard-hitting, dancey, rock, alternative stuff yet.”
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