Catherine Landeta is a singer, songwriter, music producer, and actress based in New York City by way of Arizona. With over two decades of performing experience, a music degree, and a Broadway national tour under her belt, she brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to her solo music journey. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1.ย ย Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
Catherine Landeta: At my local bowling alley, there was one day a week that was Cosmic Bowling. For those who donโt know, that basically meant they turned the lights down low, threw on some lasers, and played music videos on the projector screens. I have a distinct memory of Britney Spearsโ โโฆBaby One More Timeโ coming on and feeling entranced as I rolled the bowling ball down the aisle. I was obsessed. Iโve heard the song before, but it profoundly hit me at this precise moment. Even my mom was like โwhat song is this?!โ. I was too embarrassed, by the way, to say the word โbabyโ so I omitted that when I told her. Feel-good pop music like this continued to be an obsession and still is to this day.
2.ย ย Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
Catherine Landeta:I did choir since 7th grade all the way through college. We had music class throughout elementary school and junior high too, thankfully, so I had a baseline education. I ended up studying music in college so I have a very technical and theory-based background. That knowledge certainly comes in handy, but Iโve had to do some work to let go of it too. I used to approach things very technically, but as Iโve gotten deeper into my practice, Iโve loosened up and have leaned more into having fun and not having the โrulesโ be a crutch. I can use the rules precisely when I want to since I have them in my toolbelt.
3.ย ย Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound?
Catherine Landeta: I am heavily influenced by music of the 90โs and Y2K era. It if was on TRL, I know about it. The Spice Girls were one of the first musical artists I became obsessed with. My third grade birthday party was Spice Girls themed. Fun fact: Posh Spice was my favorite at the time. I was also one of those obsessed *NSYNC girlies (maybe still am). I have a distinct memory of calling my local radio station all day long who was picking callers to win free tickets. (Spoiler: I didnโt win.) Entertainers like Britney were very influential and formative to me too. These artists who not only sing, but incorporate dance and storytelling and just wholly-entertain audiences was something I carry with me today. Itโs definitely inspired my own theatricality and how I infuse comedy and storytelling into my music and shows. I think this era of music is why I love exciting, dramatic, big, feel-good music.
4.ย ย What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time?
Catherine Landeta: What sets my music apart are the dichotomies I employ. I have songs that have campy, funny bits in them, and I have songs that are serious. I am both a deeply-feeling person and a troll (in the harmless way). I lean into both my dry sense of humor and my vulnerabilities. They go hand in hand if you really think about it (wink wink). So much so, oftentimes people donโt know when Iโm being serious or not. Itโs funny to me because to me itโs obvious โ Iโm just being me; all of it is me. And all of me is both serious and comical. Iโm not putting on an act โ Iโm just genuinely like this. Plus, I get a kick out of being confusing and hard-to-read. Dare I say mysterious? You could perhaps call this a version of performance art, but again, itโs who I am. Iโm not necessarily going for that. My life is performance art. Period. Any questions? Wait, was was the question? Right. I would describe my music on the whole as popโsassy pop if you willโbut there are elements of R&B, neo-soul, 90s power ballad, Y2K, and maybe even trip hop thrown around in there.
5.ย ย For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as pop and R&B?
Catherine Landeta: I think of my childhood influenced by pop and R&B, then my pivot to loving musical theatre in high school and college where I also studied classical voice, and how Iโm now going back to my pop and R&B roots. All of those musical influences shaped my taste and my sound. I genuinely love many different genres of music, but my taste and musical creations always gravitate towards fierce vocals and a killer rhythm section.
6.ย ย Music often transcends entertainment. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try to affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
Catherine Landeta: I understand that everything is political, including art. Being an artist is certainly political. Art influences culture, culture influences politics, and vice versa. Itโs literally all connected, and I recognize that. I think the role of an artist is to be honest about their experiences, because at the core of art is honesty and expression. Art can inspire, educate, or entertain โ perhaps all three at once. I donโt specifically try to affront any of these themes currently in my music; I think they are inherently there if you are paying close enough attention.
7.ย ย Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment youโre still seeking?
Catherine Landeta: I have never felt more artistically aligned in my creative life than I do now, and Iโm just getting started โ so this will only evolve even more! Iโm at the beginning of my solo music journey, so thereโs still many more things I want to achieve. I want to tour, perform more, collaborate with aligned artists, and just release more music!
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, whatโs the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
Catherine Landeta: There are different approaches I take to songwriting and music production. Sometimes it starts at the piano with a chord progression, and I invent a melody to go along with it. Sometimes I hear a sample, build on it, and write a melody and lyrics over that. Sometimes I hear a song out in the wild and get an idea and try to make my version of it. For the most part, I always make a robust production myself, then I take it to a collaborator to help polish my ideas.
9.ย ย Whatโs been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
Catherine Landeta: Getting out of my own way. I self-analyze WAY too much, and it makes me second guess myself. I sometimes need to remind myself Iโm supposed to be having fun and things donโt have to be that deep.
10.ย ย On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And letโs talk about your latest release and future plans.
Catherine Landeta: My proudest achievement so far is releasing my debut EP Desires. It just came out on March 21st. This has been a five year labor of love. I canโt begin to tell you all the things Iโve learned, and am still learning, along the way. Being in the driverโs seat of your own project is freeing, but it comes with a lot of decision-making and execution that you have to lead yourself. I donโt have a team yet, so itโs really all me at the end of the day. So Iโm very proud of myself for seeing this project through. I already have other music in the pipeline so be on the lookout for more music from me!
11.ย ย Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
Catherine Landeta: Donโt make me choose! The live audience definitely feels more thrilling because of the improv factor. But at the end of the day, you need both. The live show doesnโt exist without the hours of quiet work. The dichotomy and juxtapositions of this career and art form are not lost on me.
12.ย ย Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
Catherine Landeta: I donโt think itโs an important factor for fans to know the origin story of my songs. If you catch me live, I often divulge the backstory. But thatโs what art is good for โ seeing yourself in a new light from someone elseโs experience. As long as the listener can understand and relate in their own way, thatโs what really matters.
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