To celebrate the release of her new CD, local artist Kate Westfall is planning a big night of live music, art, costumes and belly dancing.
Billed as “The Outburst,” the event will take place at the 4th Street Bar on Saturday, Feb. 25 and feature a strong roster of talent drawn together for just one night.
“I want to have a good time,” Kate told me when we spoke last week about who and what she’s got planned. “Some of these people are coming in from Columbus, Kentucky … I’m honored. You know this might be the last time I make a CD, so I want to have a party.”
And it’s not just about the music.
“It has to be visually entertaining, too,” she added.
I told Kate I’d previously seen her perform in a large papier mâché bird’s head. Will we be seeing that again?
“No, I prefer to come up with something new,” she laughed. “Although I still have that bird head. It’s hard to get rid of.
“With the costumes, I always end up putting something together the day before. I mean this happens with every show. Because I’m always thinking about getting the equipment to the venue, or making sure the other musicians know how to get there …”
I asked Kate to talk me through the acts that will be appearing.
“We’ve got Mas Bagua from Columbus,” Kate said. “It’s … how do they describe it? It’s like an alien cult. Loop machines, flutes, a horn player … difficult to explain. A psychedelic jam.
“And we’ve got Curse of Cassandra.”
I remember the Curse of Cassandra, I told her. I saw them play when they passed through town last summer; in fact they were good enough to show me the inside of their rock ‘n’ roll RV and introduce me to their hairless cats.
The Curse are a performing couple, Jacob and Nicole Richter, who live on the road and play all over the country. They put on an exciting show and this will be a great opportunity to catch them live.
Who else have you got?
“Lazy Ass Destroyer,” Kate said. “I’m not sure if you’d call it rap or spoken word … it’s kind of aggressive rap.
“The guitarist wears just boots, a jockstrap and an S&M mask,” she explained. “And he shreds that guitar. Really shreds it. He gets up on the bar sometimes.”
It’s like you’ve curated your own perfect night, I said.
“Right! Oh – and we’ve got belly dancing, too,” Kate told me. “Janaan Al Jahanni from Columbus.”
This was good news indeed, because in my opinion, there is no conceivable event which cannot be improved by the addition of belly dancing.
Kate herself will be joined for her performance by experienced Mansfield percussionist Tarkington Johnson, and guests will have the chance to get screen-printed shirts made on the spot – just bring a shirt and $5. Temporary tattoos should also be available.
This mix of different art forms – song, dance, costumes, performance art – seems to be a constant with your work, I suggested.
“It’s always been that way,” Kate said. “In some ways it’s maddening because I don’t get to be an expert at anything.”
For those of a more sensitive disposition, a low-key and relaxed “listening party” will be held at Main Street Books the night before to showcase Kate’s new release.
“This one will be chill,” Kate said, “a very different kind of night. People will be sitting and coloring. There won’t be anyone there dressed in just a jock strap.”
As far as you know, I thought. Stranger things have happened at Main Street Books.
So what about the new music?
“The CD is called ‘LimnArch,’” Kate said. “It started off with me recording myself — all acapella — just a lady, a microphone and a computer.”
This might give the impression of a cut-price, backroom job, but having given the CD a spin I can say it doesn’t sound that way at all. Engineer Jonathan Thompson has done a fantastic job of mixing and mastering these recordings for release.
“He worked so hard to make it sound right,” Kate told me. “He added a drum noise here and there, too, in just the right places, but actually most of the percussion is me – it’s bodily-driven. I’m really inspired by Bobby McFerrin.
“And Björk is a big influence, too. These songs were meant to be relaxed and atmospheric, but it all got a bit chanty and unexpectedly intense. Björk taught me how to sing not just pretty but LOUD!
“The thing is I never intended my music to be what it is,” Kate said. “I wanted drums, bass – gnarly sounds and screaming – but I couldn’t find anyone to play with me. I would love for all my songs to be redone and turned into metal!”
The release of LimnArch will be complemented by another new CD, “The Halls of Vivian Grey.” These are songs culled from Kate’s live set and will form the bulk of the live performance at the 4th Street Bar.
“This one was quick to record,” she told me. “I was comfortable playing them live, and most of the songs were done in no more than two takes.
“It’s recorded ‘as live,’ there’s mistakes, but that’s all part of it. A car squealing outside, paper shuffling, it’s all in there – and sometimes looped, too. I much prefer to leave the mistakes in.”
I asked Kate about the local music scene in general, and she is excited about the return of Open Mike Nights at Martini’s. The original nights were run by Kate herself.
“It grew out of something else,” she told me. “I studied poetry at college (Miami University) and I was used to critiquing in groups. So when I came back to Mansfield I started a poetry group.
“Sometimes, someone would start playing a song. Then we moved the group to a bar and the songs eventually took over.”
In their new incarnation, the Open Mike Nights will be hosted by local musician Aurelio Villa Luna Diaz.
“Thank goodness Aurelio’s doing this, he’s a star,” said Kate. “I encourage anyone who’s thinking about starting out to go along. Go to an open mic, go to karaoke. Try it out. And not just musicians – bring on the comedians and the magicians, too!
“You know, when I was thinking about doing this interview, there’s something in particular I wanted to say,” Kate told me. “It’s about female musicians. I couldn’t think of any other local female musician I’d seen interviewed. It’s frustrating. Where the ladies at?
“I don’t know whether it’s bias, or whether women aren’t comfortable joining bands, or what it is. I’m not going to try to explain it. I’ve been trying to get a female punk band together. I have the Book Store Lady (Llalan Fowler of Main Street Books) on trombone. We have some songs.
“I would say,” she continued, “if you want to do something, just ask, you know. This show, and my CDs – it’s only happening because of a bunch of people who said ‘yeah, why not?’
“What do you want to see happen? Do it. Start it yourself.”
Open Mike Night returns to Martini’s, 108 N. Main Street, Mansfield on Wednesday Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Kate Westfall: A Listening Party will be held at Main Street Books, 104 N. Main Street, Mansfield on Friday February 24th between 5 and 7 p.m. No charge. BYOB. Some snacks provided but more welcome.
The Outburst will start at 8 p.m. at 4th Street Bar, 296 E. 4th Street, Mansfield on Saturday February 25th. $5 cover. Come along and be part of one of the most interesting crowds in town.
