In case you hadn’t noticed, the women of Mankato’s music scene are becoming the scene’s main event.
Which makes the title of tonight’s gig at the NaKato Bar an apt one: Women of ‘Kato.
The gig features Laura Karels of Bee Balm Fields, solo artists Mal Murphy and Emma Josephine, and newcomer Violette LeBoutillier.
We threw a bunch of questions at them about tonight’s performance, which is certainly unique and, dare we say, worth your time.
The Free Press: How did you four get together?
Laura: I shot the idea to Emma and Mal about sharing the bill at a venue in town, but wanted four ladies. Mal mentioned Violette as a musician that would be perfect. There are so many dynamic female musicians in this town.
Mal: I immediately loved the idea. If it goes well, NaKato wants to make it into a series. As far as the four of us, we will play both separately and together. This is the first time we have really played together, but we will continue to work on our own projects separately after this.
Violette: I am quite busy finishing up my senior year of high school. I decided that it would be the kind of opportunity I wouldn’t want to miss.
Emma: Laura invited the rest of us on board and booked us. We could not possibly fit every local woman-musician into one show, so it would be excellent to continue having Women of Kato shows to feature more incredible talent.
Laura: This night was planned as a one-night thing, but who knows? Maybe there will be other shows. It feels like an opportunity for artistic growth. Anytime I play with new people, I seem to learn something or hear something different or in a new way.
FP: What have you learned from the others as you’ve prepared and rehearsed for this show?
Emma: The most impactful part of a collaborative show is learning about the people I am working with. The real, human connections I make during rehearsal is a reflection of what will be presented on stage. Finding each other’s strengths and highlighting them gives the collaboration power.
Violette: I’ve learned a lot about the process of writing songs and inspirations, and also just about life in general. Since I’m the youngest, being around these women at a time in my life where I’m expecting a lot of change very soon is sort of terrifying, but seeing them and the ages they’re at and the things they’ve been through feels very grounding and sisterly.
FP: Tell me what it’s like making music in a group of exclusively women. Is it no different than making music with any other group of humans? Is the dynamic different?
Laura: We only all got together once for a rehearsal, but singing harmonies together was pretty magical. I look forward to seeing what grows out of this.
Mal: The four of us all come from very different backgrounds, both in our personal lives and musical backgrounds, but I have found it really empowering to work with these three, not necessarily because we are all women, but because we all have the same goal. To make music for ourselves and others, and to enjoy doing it. I would say that the reason this group has a different dynamic is less about our gender and more about our ages. We are all living in very different stages of our lives. We are learning and adapting to each other, and I have learned just as much from Violette and Emma as I have from Laura. But there is also something about working with only women, I suppose. It’s easier to invite three women over to my little apartment to practice than it would be to have three men over. The space seems calmer, and more understanding.
Emma: Generally, the music industry is male-dominated so it’s empowering to gather with women to make music. With our specific group of women, we’ve created a rehearsal space where everyone is heard, encouraged, and their talents are valued.
Violette: I’ve gotten to know Mal and Laura through my dad’s appearances (Nate LeBoutillier) in the local scene. I’ve become familiar with their music, and I’ve seen especially those two as musical influences of mine. I did not know Emma before this gig, but as I’ve come to play with her, I’ve also found her talent and amazing voice so inspiring to me. Mal is a close friend of mine, and her guidance and style have become a guiding light for me as I try to play more music. Laura is a woman I was somewhat familiar with before the gigs, but as I’ve gotten to know her and her music more and more throughout the gig, I’m finding myself more attached to her.
As I’ve been practicing with these ladies, the meaning of the show has become more and more apparent. It’s both a celebration, but also an identity. I feel that in my life I brush aside the coincidence that I just happen to be a woman without ever really appreciating the specialty of it. Singing and playing and hearing their songs has brought me closer to my womanhood that I have felt before, especially growing up in such a male-dominated household.
FP: What can we expect from the show?
Mal: Our overall plan is for each of us to play a few songs on our own, to show our own sound off a bit, about 15 to 20 minutes’ worth, and then eventually get together and play some songs together. I know some of us have some songs we plan to play in smaller combinations. I might have a song or two with Laura, but Violette and I definitely have a couple to play together. You can expect to see usual Laura, Emma, and Mal musical shenanigans. We are the sundae, but adding in Violette and a few surprises will be the cherry on top.