Conversations with Kate Castro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Castro.

Hi Kate, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began singing at a very young age as I grew up in a household of music lovers and musicians. I joined choir the first time it was offered in school and continued in various quartets and music groups throughout high school. Singing in weddings and the performing the National Anthem at various sporting events in Washington State became a norm for a couple of years. After college, I entered the business world in Seattle that eventually brought me an opportunity for growth in the Los Angeles area. As I managed a team of sales/insurance greats, I met my now husband at a business conference and he saw and felt my love for singing and encouraged me to pursue my craft. I started to record and write music, attend music industry events and network with as many musically inclined people as possible. With every person I worked and/or collaborated with, I grew as a person and artist. The more I wrote and practiced singing with vocal instructors and performance coaches, the more I found my true self and what I wanted to express through art. Authenticity continues to strengthen through art and life experiences.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Following my passion of music has NOT been easy. Although my love and desire to be a professional in the music industry remained alive, many moments of struggle occurred. Working with other artists and producers is a blessing. At the same time, it can be very challenging. Everyone is not on the same timeline to collaborate and/or finish a project. It can be beyond frustrating when your timeline is completely different from a partner on a project. Resources, financial and musicians to work with were very low at certain times. I have been told no or rejected more times than I can count. Whether it was asking to collaborate with another artist, getting a loan to finance a music project/album or record, or, as I like to think of it all-TIMING. Sometimes a “no” or no answer means not now. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to have patience.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Singer, Songwriter and performer. I love RnB, Jazz, and Pop the most out of the music genres. I write most of my songs from feelings or experiences I’ve had at some point in my life. Some of my songs are upbeat, fun, and dance worthy. “Gotta Have It” is a song about having a fun time all day and night. The video for “Gotta Have It” played on the BET Network for six week in 2019. A few songs that I’ve written reflect the spiritual realm of life that I connect to on a daily basis. “Private Eyes” is about my dad who passed on to the other side. I have received a plethora of ethereal messages through signs-my dad since his transfer. Another song from my “Kool” album, “In Love” aired on various radio stations in the U.S. The pandemic in 2020 provoked my song “Rainbow In Your Cloud.” Social injustice and Maya Angelou inspired this song. With so many people suffering due to the lack of a voice, financial resources, or plain prejudice, I wanted to create a song of love and support. We can always be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. I wrote this song with my brother, Kevin Hanson, who also produced it. I am very proud of this song as it was the first song I wrote and recorded alone at home. Once I completed the lyrics and recordings, I emailed it to Kevin who then added instrumentals and background vocals.

In 2022, I released two RnB songs “In The Kitchen” and “Sweet Tooth.” Fun and sexy were the feelings when writing these records. “Sweet Tooth,” when heard by an abundance of people, say it has a “D’Angelou vibe.”

Currently, “Telepathy” is making its way into the ears of many! I’ve had amazing write-ups in magazines and Blogs such as Wonderland Magazine, stating “the smooth and serene, Kate Castro ‘s stylized and emotionally potent single is an indicator of her talent.” I am humbled and inspired by these words as the lyrics of Telepathy are from past experiences and common feelings among many. I do believe in the communication beyond our typical senses of speaking… I will continue to write songs that are authentic to me and my experiences.

All of my work is out on every platform. Telepathy has almost 40,000 streams on Spotify after two weeks of being released.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For those just starting out, I would advise on trusting your instincts. Sometimes we don’t know what to do or whom to seek council from, but we do have gut feelings. You do not need to feel obligated to anyone just because they tell you that you will become successful if you do what they advise you to do in the industry. Patience is a must in this industry!

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/katecastromusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katecastromusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcastromusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-castro-7aba882/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@katecastromusic
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QJ3Y7iyCgzAkgQ4XfOzKT?si=nl3VnGmRRRC2ZETQ6LrAtw 

Image Credits
Damien Johnson Instagram: @hdjmediaspotlight