At Surfside, we like to shine the spotlight on some of our favourite local musicians. One of our newest frequent artists is Laura Kate, an acoustic act who never fails to captivate our guests with her soulful melodies and enchanting voice. With her lively tunes, Laura Kate’s musical prowess adds an extra layer of magic to our already unforgettable atmosphere!
We asked Laura a series of questions in order to delve deeper into the world of this extraordinary artist.
How long have you been playing music?
Probably since I was about 10, but I’ve been writing my own songs since I was 17.
What style of music do you play?
I play country, pop rock and classic 80s covers.
How long have you been in Cornwall?
I actually live in Devon, but I do live on and off in my van while I travel around Devon and Cornwall during the summer months. I’ve been in Devon for about 20 years now, but originally I’m from Hampshire.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I’ve always loved music, it’s pretty much the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I just wanted to be able to travel and do my own thing while surfing and playing gigs!
Has being in Cornwall influenced your music? Are there any specific elements of the region that inspire or inform your creative process?
Definitely! I write a lot of songs about being at the beach or about coastal nature. I find it’s a very inspiring place to be.
How do you approach the process of songwriting? Are there specific themes or subjects that you like to explore in your lyrics?
I used to write songs as myself, but now I write more about other people and their stories. I find it difficult to write from my own emotions, so instead I take little parts of other people’s stories and experiences and convert them into song lyrics.
What do you enjoy most about performing in Surfside?
It’s one of my favourite places to play so far! Everyone there seems to love music, and it’s right on the beach so you get a stunning view, especially when the sun sets. There’s also just good drinks and good people.
Are there any particular bands or artists that have influenced you?
Yes! Guns N’ Roses and lots of other 80s rock artists, Lana Del Rey, LANY, Courtney Love and other 90s grunge music, and lots of country music too.
What’s your favourite song to play live?
Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton, it’s a beautiful song
Have you faced any challenges or obstacles in your music career?
Yes, it’s very hard. There’s lots of competition out there, a lot of people who want to do the same thing. It’s also difficult to record songs, you have to find a producer and scrape together a lot of money if you want to produce it well. It’s not a very stable lifestyle but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Have you had the opportunity to tour or perform outside of Cornwall? If so, what were some of the highlights and differences you noticed compared to performing locally?
I tour all over but not with my original songs. My band and I do a lot of private parties and weddings. I’ve played places like Dublin, I did Snowbombing festival, and I’m actually playing Rock Oyster this year.
Can you share any funny or memorable anecdotes from your time as a musician, either during performances or while interacting with fans?
One that always springs to mind is when I was playing a gig at a wedding in Newquay and there was this woman who had been put to bed early because she was so drunk. During one of our songs she came back down to the wedding and started dancing around naked! I didn’t know whether to keep playing or not at that moment but it was hilarious.
Are there any other local artists that you’d recommend people check out?
James Dixon is fantastic, as is Taylor Lathum, Georgia Palmer and a local classic rock band called Stella Fox.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music? If so, what are they?
Surfing. That’s pretty much it, I just love to surf.
Can you share any memorable experiences or performances you’ve had specifically at Surfside?
Not yet! I’ve only played there a few times yet but it’s very fun and I hope to accumulate loads of stories over the gigs I do there.
Surfside Gigs
Laura Kate plays on select days at Surfside, to see what days she’s playing on check out our events page or head over to our social media.
We also host other events either out on the beach or in our fantastic rum bar, from DJ nights to bands. All of our events are free to attend and don’t require any booking, however, if you’d like a table in our restaurant beforehand please book in using our website.
