Former graphic artist, and of the generation surrounded by the boom of synthesizers, drum machines, sequencers and samplers, "This offered artists an extraordinary experimental playground where they can fulfill all their fantasies,” offers Kate. “These experiments reached out to every field of the creation of music, such as soundtracks, video games, TV shows and even advertisement. My sound and my creative process is certainly a heritage of this research, because in this particular context, I've developed an attraction and a sensibility towards electronics, amazement and a never-ending curiosity for the sound which is generated by machines."

To develop her sound, she works with a laptop, external drum boxes, and analog synths. These tools materialize and transform her vision into the language of music, while providing her with the autonomy to create the entire process on her own. Kate has built a unique world and an intimacy with her machines that places her as leader of a virtual band. Electronic is not a style of music but a means of expression and production.

Kate does not use vocal samples because her voice is the main instrument that leads the music. Taking influence from such diverse artists as Prince to Mazzy Star to Joy Division or PJ Harvey, she keeps all vocal imperfections, allowing the natural sound to come through.

What does she sound like? Let's leave the description to Kate : “A stupid Brad Pitt on radical grimy tunes. Some childlike nostalgia on raw guitars. Several old friends ghost on soft breaks. Some love obsessions on industrial cadence. A sexy icon on dry breakbeats. Some carefree afternoon whispered by a crystal voice. Two melancholic spiders on blue harmonies. Screams of joy on nasty baselines. Minutes of ecstasy falling from words beneath physical movements chanted on minimal blows.”

“I like to compose in two sessions : the first is impulsive, I am guided by my subconscious and my emotions. The second one is more rational, where I have control over all the technical aspects of the song.”

“During the first step, I usually write the lyrics, compose the tune, and record the voice in a brief time, such as photographical snapshots, I want to freeze moments, moods, emotions and energies. I want to transfigure my stories, fears, ugly demons, dreams and chimerical visions without any constraint. I want that snapshot to keep its integrity and remain close to my first feelings and intentions. During the second phase, I edit the arrangement, take out what is worthless, add what is missing and improve the quality of certain sounds, with an emotional distance.”

Few might be aware that it is Kate’s vocal instrument that haunts Felix’s the Housecat’s ‘Let Your Mind Be Your Bed’ on his latest album Devin Dazzle and the Neon Fever. Shejay is surprised upon learning this and asks Kate how the collaboration with Felix materialized…

“The Swiss electronic scene is really fertile, especially in Geneva. But the actors of this underground culture are few, we all know each other, and work in the same place. That's where I met Dave the Hustler, who co-produced many tracks with Felix. Dave told Felix about me, introduced my music to him, and Felix wanted a bit of Kate Wax style in his album.”

“He loves to be surprised by the artists during the process of creation.” Kate says of Felix. “Even though he had a rough vision of how the tracks could end up, he let an open space where I could bring in my own sensibility, interpretation and point of view. In that part of unexpected, magic things happened. We had a great time, joking together like kids, but when we start to work he had the perfectionism and the precision of a Nagra sound system. This collaboration was more like a singer-guest thing, because I wrote some lyrics and put my voice on a piece that was already done. It is quite funny because the title of that song "Let your mind..." is the result of the mix of my bad English, and the way Felix understood what I sung.”

She also thinks men shouldn't be impressed by an independent and experimented women using in new technologies since there will be plenty of female newcomers as females are becoming more confident about software/machines/cables and electronic stuff.

Kate Wax envisions her music as the princess in kingdom of blinking lights and seeing her machines as the subjects. The prince, Mac G4, is smart and powerful. Her servants are the loyal Korg, Electribe Mx1 and the traitor Earl 106 Junod, hard to trust. Sir Jomox, Count Doepfer MAQ 16 and old uncle 808 who comes by to see her now and then. Her main stay is the Lord Nord Lead as her suitor. She especially recommends the Korg Electribe MX, because it is affordable and sounds gorgeous.

Kate Wax’s words of wisdom, “Love men, but leave them outside of your studio.” She further adds, “It is really nice to make electronic music alone and find your own sound. The learning process of the machines will help you develop your personal manner to use these them. If nobody shows you, you will find your own tricks. If you have the patience to build that knowledge, you will be the queen of your own world. And later share it with people. This is what music is about. To communicate and exchange what you know, think and see in your own language.”

You can pick up Reflection of A Dark Heart on Mental Groove Records by visiting: http://www.mentalgroove.ch/ or see Kate’s website : www.kate-wax.com