By Staff Writer
Gulf Coast Records releases “Cry Out,” the new single from the upcoming album of the same name by dynamic blues vocalist, Kat Riggins, produced by Mike Zito, on Friday, May 22. “Cry Out” is a call to action,” explains Riggins. “It’s no secret that as a country, we don’t practice what we preach. America is still said to be one of the greatest nations in the world, but we ain’t walkin’ the walk. If you recognize the fact that the doctrines we’ve written and the principles that we live by are in complete contradiction to each other, this is your time to cry out!”
Blues-E-News recently interview Kat for our 5 Quick Questions series, Coronavirus edition. Here’s how it went.
BEN: Now that the COVID-19 situation has engulfed the music business, how have your immediate and long-term recording and touring plans changed?
KR: EVERYTHING STOPPED. I was gearing up to go on a mini tour in France when the world was taken hostage. That one tour was like the first domino. I’m holding out hope that things can SAFELY get back to normal soon. So as far as the long term, I’m “acting as if”. As they say, “Attitude is the little thing that makes a big difference! “
BEN: Let’s say the bars and restaurants where you perform open back up soon. Do you have any trepidation about performing at these venues at the present time?
KR: At THIS time I’m personally going to continue to limit my exposure to large groups of people. I’d rather play it safe. I’m itching to get back on that stage as much as anyone else, but I’m such a “hugger”! I know that it’ll be torture for me not to be able to embrace folks like I like to. So, I’d better just wait till it’s safe to hug again.
BEN: What have you done, music/performance-wise, to keep yourself active and visible in the music community during the Quarantine?
KR: I’ve only done one live stream so far, but may do another in the not-so-distant future. Otherwise, I’ve pretty much just been sharing other folks’ live streams and posting memory videos and things like that. I’ve also done a few “public service” type videos, just to say thanks to the fans and encourage everyone to hang in there.
BEN: Have you done any music recording, or created any videos, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or do you have anything planned/in the works?
KR: I’ve been doing a lot of writing during this little forced vacation, but no recording. I DO have my debut project coming out towards the end of the summer on Gulf Coast Records! We’ll be releasing the title track as the first single off the album on May 22 across all platforms!!! I’m really looking forward to sharing this new stuff with everyone. With everything we’re experiencing right now, I’m hoping that people will be receptive to what I’m trying to express.
BEN: What lessons do you think will be learned in the long-term, regarding the music and ascertainment business, as a result of the Coronavirus music stoppage?
KR: There will be many, but I think preparedness is number one. Many of us gigging artists live only on what we pull in from performing. I think this’ll force us to get more financially educated. I also think a lot of us have a whole new appreciation for our fans! Speaking for myself, my #friendfans and #famfans have really been there for my wife and I during all this! The generosity and just plain support that they’ve shown is extraordinary and I’m SO grateful. The lesson is that there are still good people in the world. As for the lesson, I think the music listeners might learn, I say it all the time. “Support LIVE music, because without it you’d have to settle for YouTube and it ain’t the same thing. “
More at Kat Riggins at https://katriggins.com; and https://www.facebook.com/KatRigginsBluesRevival/. More on Gulf Coast Records at www.gulfcoastrecords.net.
