Kate Stewart
Elicits Strength & Empowerment With New Single “Hate You”
By Kenneth Tse
Kate Stewart’s authenticity and vocal prowess are undeniable in her first single of 2022. Accompanied by an explosive, truth-telling music video, “Hate You” urges listeners to “trust their gut” while staying true to themselves and their emotions. This sentiment becomes all the more powerful as Stewart and her female counterparts are seen standing up against the predatory behavior of some decrepit-looking male monsters.
“Hate You” is the latest installment of a career that spans multiple genres, albums, and collaborations with some of the industry’s most recognizable names. Stewart doesn’t miss a beat this time around, as she effortlessly showcases her premier songwriting chops and UK swag. Ironically, “Hate You” dates back to a New York studio session with producer Swagg, as his beat laid down the groundwork for the sensational sound heard today.
Stewart looks forward to many projects, including the release of her EP You Had To Be There later this year. We spoke to the artist about filming the “Hate You” music video, the importance of live performances, and more!
Hey, Kate! Thank you for speaking with us, and congrats on the new release. Can you walk us through the inspiration behind “Hate You”?
Thank you! “Hate You” was the first song that I recorded on the EP that really resonated with me. It felt totally different from all of the previous music that I had made, and it just felt really different and exciting in its whole sound. I was in New York, in the studio with Swagg, and he was playing me through some stuff that he had made, “Hate You” being one of them. I write all of my music, in the past and on the entirety of my EP, I never usually cut other people's songs, but this one was so special, as soon as I heard it, I had to have it, and thankfully I did it justice and now I’m able to release it as my own.
You collaborated with an all-star team of producers and songwriters for this track. What was that process like for you?
Getting to work with such incredible producers and songwriters really does feel like a blessing. I’m quite picky with who I work with, there’s not a lot of people that really get my sound and what I’m trying to achieve, but on this EP, I really wanted to make sure it was a small team so it sounded cohesive and consistent throughout. I’ve managed to find an amazing team, all of which I’ve become very close friends with, and that to me is so important.
How did the inspiration for “Hate You” translate to the stunning visuals seen in the music video?
My initial idea for the video came from Jessica Rabbit singing “Why Don’t You Do Right” from the 1998 film ‘Who Framed Jessica Rabbit’. I loved the sensualness of it, and how all the men are drooling over her and she doesn’t want any of them. I then brought the idea to my creative director Betsy Johnson who thought it would be cool to add a darker element, which is when we came up with the men having demonic faces. We wanted to touch upon the Me Too movement, and how women often feel so uncomfortable around men in certain situations. Often men think they can treat women how they want, like playthings. But in this video, we fight back and make a stand against it. A woman should never feel threatened by a man in any circumstance and we wanted to show that.
What is one message you want listeners to take from the song?
I think the main message of the song is to always trust your gut and stay true to yourself and your emotions. Everyone has been in relationships that have run their course and by the end, your left with the ‘ick’. There’s no worse feeling! I think this song is really empowering, and it’s basically telling the listener if you aren’t happy, move on and do you. Go out with your friends and forget about the man that you used to love, celebrate the hate!
“Hate You” is the first single from your upcoming EP ‘You Had To Be There.’ What can you tell us about this next chapter of your catalog?
This EP is by far my favourite body of work I’ve ever made. It feels completely genuine and authentic to me. I’m writing about real scenarios that I’ve been through and I’ve taken inspiration from genres that I love and listen to all the time. Some of the songs are a lot more chilled and inspired by reggae and dancehall and then I have some really big pop songs on there. I like mixing it up, I don’t want to be put into one box in terms of genre, however, somehow they all feel cohesive and true to me.
Your work spans multiple genres, the most notable being R&B and EDM. Would you say there is a difference in your songwriting process between the two?
I don’t think there is a massive difference in the process of songwriting. I think the producers that I work with bring out different sides of me and my writing. For instance, I work a lot with my brother, David Stewart, and he’s made the more pop-sounding records on the EP, therefore when I’m writing and recording with him, I’m showing off my voice and my range a lot more. When I’m working with someone like Callum Connor from The Free Nationals, the writing style is far more laid back, I think it just depends on the producer and the mood I’m in that day.
You’ve previously said: “If I was told I could never sing live again, I would probably have to change my career path.” Explain to us the importance that live music has had in your life.
I grew up in a very musical family, I was always in the theatre with my dad, and on stage dancing and singing from a very young age. I went to a stage school, so I’ve always been brought up singing live and really putting in the work when it comes to performing. I personally think it’s my strongest quality, I also thrive of the adrenaline that it gives me. Even though I get adrenaline when I’m in the studio, it just hits different when you’re on stage performing in front of a massive audience, I live for it.
Did your upbringing in West London influence your musical taste at all?
Yes and no, like I said previously I have some reggae and dance hall influence on this EP. Growing up in West London I’ve been going to Notting Hill Carnival every year since I was a kid and there’s a lot of culture around my area in Portobello so it has definitely had an influence on my taste in music. However I also listen to absolutely every genre and get inspired by so many different things. I think my ‘shiny pop’ and R&B influence has definitely come from the US, those are 2 things that the UK haven’t learnt to fully embrace yet.
Which are three songs that you have on repeat at the moment?
If there was one Kate Stewart lyric that could describe your life at the moment, which would it be?
“The Game’s the fucking game!”
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Trust your gut instinct, and always listen to constructive criticism.
Outside of the music, what else inspires you to create?
I’m mostly inspired by my friends. I have an absolutely mental group of friends (in the best way) They always have something going on in their lives and it’s always dramatic. I just sit back and observe, take notes and write songs about them, they love it!
When Kate Steward makes it to LA, _______________.
She will go straight to In-N-Out!