20 Questions with Katrina Chester

PANDORA
Where did you grow up?

KATRINA
In Rockland County, NY-Best of both worlds; 40 minutes from city but beautiful country! But, of course, like most I didn't feel that way growing up! Until I traveled outside of USA, I hadn’t a clue how great it really was! I always thought it was very cool I grew up in a place with Rock-Land in it!! Get it, Rock-Land!!! LOL I only lived here until I was 17 when my dad passed away.

PANDORA
When was it you decided to pursue a career in music?

KATRINA
Age 5 after seeing Judy Garland sing somewhere over the rainbow. Something inside me at that minute clicked and I absolutely knew who I was and why I was here!

PANDORA
At the age of 13 when most little girls are having sleep overs and obsessing over the newest pop icon, you were already out there with your own rock band. What was that like?

KATRINA
Oh, I was one of them too!! I think the stranger thing was that I knew what I wanted to be. Not a lot of people that age do. So that made me always very focused so no matter what I did, party...obsess over pop icons I was always grounded in knowing who I was and what I was here for. It made me more relaxed to take chances. I do think when you're younger you don't worry about what you’re going to do so much but the pressure starts at around 16. I saw that in my friends so I think I was lucky to not have to wonder or search for colleges that would get me to that point. My point WAS sneaking out. That was my collage and the best one there is! Even without me knowing that my family was always different because I had a dad who toured and played drums and my friends' dads were so much different. Coming to the Chester house for a sleep over was very different...might be why so many of my friends parents banned me from them!! LOL

PANDORA
How did you and Ian Hatton start working together?

KATRINA
I had started a cover band to play out and meet people, to also figure out what outlet I wanted to use for my voice. One show I played Ian was out there having beer after another British friend of his picked him up at the airport. He had just flown in an hour before! Heard me sing and kept asking me to write with him until I finally said yes around 3 months later. The problem was, and I still tell him this: If he just would have told me who he was I would have actually considered it a lot sooner but not even once, even 4 months after we started Luxx, did I actually know he was the guitar player/writer, in Bonham, played with Robert Plant and Paul Rodgers! I mean, come on!! Modesty has its place but shit, I didn’t know! For all I knew he was some weird English guy with side burns that looked like he walked out of Woodstock or Monty Pyton!! Open your mouth Hatton!! It’s just not his style, which is one of the things I actually do like about him.

PANDORA
And LUXX, what kind of experience was that for you?

KATRINA
The best in my life, changed my life and will always be a huge thing for me. Luxx was my first real original expression. It gave life to my words and my heart. Gave me peace and is so worth fighting for which I will always do. Luxx gave me wings and no matter where I fly, I will always remain at peace because of this total entity all its own. It's not even about the four of us. It exists without us at this point and that's success for me. That's Luxx.

PANDORA
For you, what is the best part of being in this industry?

KATRINA
That when you reach a certain point which unfortunately, I've not reached, That you can ACTUALLY CHANGE THE WORLD. You can do so much good, power with a purpose other than just yourself. There is not many "Jobs" that can say that. It's a life accomplishment of course but its definitely one that, if you're for real, can make such a difference and isn’t that what its all about in the END! A lot of jobs are hugely important and do change things but the added benefit is that in music, your just being you and that is actually good enough (for you), if grounded which is easier said then done of course.
Of course music, your music is very personal to the one that writes it but choosing a life where you share "Your Diary"... next time you listen to someone’s record that you're absolutely sure is "real"...think about it that way. You walked into their bedroom, got under their mattress and pulled out all the years of their life, then they also put a soundtrack to it, Wow! and they don't even know you nor you them, that's music!

PANDORA
And the worst/hardest??

KATRINA
Being you and not being good enough and told it like someone changes their sheets, every week until one person says you are and then they all agree. Trying to remain real when real doesn't sell records in the numbers that are acceptable in the industry these days. 3 million is considered moderately successful verse 500,000 ten years ago being a hit. Where does it end?
When no one is doing what you do which is supposed to be what music is, and they say they don't know what to do with you cause you're different. How can you be something else when you isn’t good enough, then you do and it sells, that's depressing. If you know what I mean.
I guess overall its rejection and being strong enough everyday to get up, write and play even when everyone that can do something, doesn't. To have confidence in yourself all the time in an industry like this. You just have to learn how to remain...cause the only other option is, to not be you, to not play and to lose your one and only dream. And that's just not an option. It’s a really shitty feeling, one I can only equate to being in love with someone so deeply that just doesn’t love you and tells you every time you express your love for them. Well, you asked!!! LOL

PANDORA
Your biggest heartbreak within the industry?

KATRINA
Unfortunately I fear I haven’t even tipped the surface but if Id have to say, our first record deal.

PANDORA
You often mention your father,Gary Chester as being a great influence on you. Could you tell me a little bit about him?

KATRINA
Well, to me he is just my dad, an amazing musician and teacher that I am still to this day learning more and more about. He taught me how to think and how to survive and to be pure or to not waste anyone else’s time or mine. But he didn’t want me to do this with my life. He knew it would hurt and what father wants their child to hurt?

PANDORA
Speaking of influences, who are some of your greatest influences, musically or otherwise?

KATRINA
I'd say my dad in life only because I knew him better then the ones I just listened to or read.
I had many different influences because of him. I didn't grow up like most kids. I had Billy holiday in my playpen and Jim Croce singing to me. I had Linda Rondstat and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra in one ear and Freddie Mercury in the other. I put plays on for my family, acted out commercials and read "Tell Tale Heart" instead of playing with Barbies. I played my first kit at age 7 and wrote short stories at the same time. I was bit weird! LOL As I grew up I listened to a lot of what everyone else did, rock and roll but my roots were always grounded in the above. My dad was very tough on me and my sisters and things weren't always nice around the Chester house but I wouldn't change it for anything.
To this day I'll listen to James Taylor and then Cheik Lo, Rage and then Tool. Not a lot of music today inspires me which sucks but it is out there. You just have to filter (That reminds me, I LOVE Filter) through to find it.

PANDORA
What are some other artists you have worked with in the past?

KATRINA
Man, when I was 17, I sang on my first major release...Randy Jackson’s, China Rain! What a blast! I was in this studio picking up someone...no idea who and I’m waiting in the waiting room and this dude comes out and says "can you sing?"..I said "Uhh Yeah". 9 hours later....Was a piss!
Paul O ‘ Neil who continues to inspire me everything I see him! I sang Music Box on his record with TSO and toured with them. Oh I’m not good at this!

PANDORA
Paul O ‘ Neil. How did you get involved with him?
KATRINA
Funny actually, I was around 19 and someone who knew my family called me up and asked me to audition for this play "Anastasia" (wasn't made but think he is still working on it). I went and it was Paul O'Neil. I auditioned for three hours, sang and sang and sang!! That was it...he called me for Music Box and absolutely believed in me from the start! He has been an amazing friend and a beautiful person to create with and learn from.

PANDORA
In almost everything I have read about you, you mention your "Street Team". Could you tell me a little bit about that?

KATRINA
I wanted to create a family. I just always knew how much power there is in a person's belief. I don't like the distance created between musicians and fans of their music. Obviously you can't do that with everyone who likes your music but if you do it with some, when no one else believes and they do, there is nothing stronger! They believe in me and I believe in them. It’s just harder to convince them of their power and soul but when they start working and they see how much real love and belief can do...they are always blown away. They are amazing people, real people, not numbers for soundscan and I love that we can be there. They don't treat me like some untouchable figure and I don't treat them like soundscan numbers and that's grounding for them and I, I'd think. Now again, you can't do that with all the people that believe in your music but to me, if you can have that even just a little with a few people, it’s incredible. It’s also a huge respect thing that you can't get all the time by doing in-stores or meet and greets, if you know what I mean.

PANDORA
You recently portrayed rock goddess Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical Love, Janis. What kind of experience was that for you?

KATRINA
Incredible! I never thought it would be what it was but it was that and more. I will never forget that in my life!

PANDORA
I just listened to the first new song,Who's Lovin' You. Is there a story behind the song?

KATRINA
It’s more of my mantra really. After New Year's this year I had an epiphany. I realized that I spent so much time on some people that I really felt weren’t my true friends (or people that just didn’t share my likes, dislikes or sense of humor), people who I dug but not people I'd call friends. YET I'd go totally out of my way to make sure they were OK or for me to see them. I'd stop studio time or not see my family, to see them. It’s not that they aren’t great people, some of them are, but they are aquaintences, not friends. I decided to start taking that word really seriously from now on. Like the word love being over used, I feel friend is as well and I don't want to abuse it. I still talk to them and see them and nothing was ever their fault. It was me trying to make everyone happy and insisting that everyone I knew would wake up at 4AM and bail me out of jail should I ever be or take a bullet for me as I would them. Too serious? Maybe but that’s me and I’m not going to hide that! LOL
So the song is really about what true friendship means: who do you love but also "who's loving you"....cause when you close your eyes at night or say goodbye to this world, that is all that matters.

PANDORA
Tell me a little bit about the new album.

KATRINA
It’s a collection of all I am, have been and am to be..most I can say right now with it not completed. For Ian, I think it’s a very happy place for him being back in Blues.

PANDORA
Five years from now, where do you hope to be?

KATRINA
Happy and doing my music enough that I can actually make a difference.

PANDORA
What do you think has been your greatest achievement so far?

KATRINA
Existing until now being a musician/Singer! That's an almost impossible achievement these days!

PANDORA
What advice would you give to young people out there trying to get into this industry?

KATRINA
Think Twice! No sorry!
Give something in your music that’s real because if it is truly real and only you...No one else can get it anywhere else which is where your commodity lies! No one can take that away from you!