Katee Kross - Pioneering the Live Stream
So we are now very familiar with musicians doing live streaming as a result of the Corona Virus pandemic but I just wanted to shine a light on one of the original PIONEER’S of this format Katee Kross.
The Bishopbriggs singer has been live streaming once a week for the past couple of years in an attempt to bring a little bit of cheer into people’s homes on a Monday evening.
Katee is forging ahead with her weekly live-streaming shows and since the lockdown, she and bandmate Ross Barron have switched to Saturday nights, with a couple of thousand logging on to catch their half hour sets.
They are determined to provide a cultural lifeline for all those who are seeking a bit of a distraction amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and Katee said:
Now, more than ever, people need human interaction. We all need that in our lives and many of us find a certain comfort in music.
Going live on Facebook is not just broadcasting a few songs. We play for audiences who tune in and interact with us directly. It’s not the same as a traditional, face-to-face gig, but it goes a long way.
Even before lockdown, we always had people who would tell us they love the live streams because they can catch performances without leaving their homes. That’s especially important for people who, for one reason or another, cannot get out to see us.
She added:
We are performers, and like all other artists, we want to reach out and play for as many people as we can.
It’s painful to think of those self-isolating and unable to meet friends and see family. If by playing a few songs once a week we are able to ease that, even just a little, then we will be there.
Without a doubt, it will be the little things that will keep us going. The value of a distraction and a little entertainment at this time should not be overlooked.”
Katee had been set to play a number of huge gigs throughout spring and summer, including events in Inverness, the Borders and a two week tour of Germany.
Although those shows have been cancelled or postponed, she is not prepared to sit back and feel sorry for herself.
While the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has brought the entertainment industry to its knees, hundreds of Scottish artists have sought to fill the gap through online gigging.
Katee said:
There are so many artists in the same position as we are, everyone has taken a knock with this. But we are in a position where we can still play together and put something out for people to watch and listen to.
We’ve been live streaming for a few years now, and it has always gone down well with viewers.
It’s usually myself and Ross playing a few tunes and having some fun. We play all sorts and are always on the look out for new things to try.
We’ll be there every Saturday night, so get in touch with some requests and we’ll try to sort that out.
To catch Katee’s weekly live stream, log on to Facebook (link below) shortly before 7pm each Saturday evening.
https://www.facebook.com/KateeKross/
So who is Katee Kross, she is a 23 year-old singer/songwriter from Bishopbriggs who has already worked with some top names including Dougie MacLean, Barbara Dickson, Karine Polwart, James Grant, Red Sky July, John Doyle, Findlay Napier, JJ Gilmour, Tony McManus, Catherine McGrath, Wildwood Kin, Ferris & Sylvester, Whispering Bob Harris and Seasick Steve.
Katee has written and released four full length albums. The first Beautiful Dreamer was released in March 2016, the second Don’t Fade to Grey just a year later, and the third album Body & Soul was released October 2018 at a SOLD-OUT show in Glasgow.
These albums show a beautiful progression of original music from a young artist as she matures as a songwriter and Katee added a fourth album to her collection, when she released Show Your Hand, which was partly funded by Creative Scotland in February of this year.
Katee Kross can be followed on her Website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/KateeKross/
https://instagram.com/kateekross?igshid=1mxv5rek9jx7i
https://twitter.com/kateekross
Give Katee a follow and have a listen to one of her singles from her latest album below: