Kate Stewart’s silky tone on display in her new track ‘Numb’

Photo by Hannah Grimham

West London’s singer-songwriter Kate Stewart has just dropped a seemingly effortless new track in Numb. It speaks to those naggy feels we’ve all felt before being in a one-sided relationship. There’s nothing worse than when you’re stuck in this type of limbo in a paralysing relationship which ultimately ends up leaving you feeling numb. Throughout the song she goes on effortless runs with her silky tone that are just oh so tasty and casual, she has me thinking I can sing along in the shower. Trust me, they’re not as tasty when I sing them, even with the help of the bathroom acoustics. 

There’s also this beautiful juxtaposition between the messaging behind the lyrics and the melody of the track. You have these silky clean vocals with a feel good flow but then on the flip, you have these heavy lyrics that talk to feeling absolutely numb and stuck in a relationship. Genuine chefs kiss right here, 10/10. 

This track gives off that spring cleaning energy of “hey, I’ve just realised I’ve been feeling numb in this relo for a hot while and with hot girl summer just around the corner, I’m going to have to love you and leave you”.  

We caught up with this genuine slice to chat about her new track Numb,  her banging performance at Taco Tuesdays and her go-to snack to cook.

Read all the feels below: 

Hiya Kate, can you tell us a little bit about your music journey so far?

My music journey has been an interesting one! There’s been a lot of ups and downs, some incredible moments and some very difficult ones. I started out in the industry a long time ago, my first job was going on tour with an electronic DJ duo called Bondax. I toured all around the world with them for about 2 years, and then finally started writing and releasing my own music. I featured on a dance record by Oliver Heldens, which went to #4 in the UK charts and from there I signed my first record deal. I released a lot of music that didn’t necessarily feel authentic to me, but it’s all about the journey! I then started to find my sound a little more, carried on releasing and finding my brand, and here we are! That’s my journey in a very very small nut shell!  

Let’s talk about your new single Numb, how does it feel to have your new baby out in the world?

It feels great! I love this song. Me and Swagg R’Celious, who produced it and wrote it with me, wrote it ages ago! So to have it out, finally, feels amazing. 

How was performing at Taco Tuesdays? 

It was incredible! It was the first one I’ve ever been to, even though I’ve wanted to go for the longest time, I’ve never had the chance to. I was in the room watching all these incredible singers and my adrenalin was so high from listening to them, then I had to go up and sing! I asked my good friend Terrell Grice to go and ask Stevie if I could sing Whitney, and he said come on up, so I did! I can’t lie, I was quite nervous. It’s a very scary room of people to perform in front of, but the energy was incredible, and I loved singing with Stevie. 

Who’s a UK artist you’d love to collaborate with and why?

I’d love to collaborate with James Blake. I think he is so incredibly talented. His music transports me to another place, it really makes me feel something so deep and I’d love to make a tune with him. 

 Have you found it difficult to find inspiration over the last few years with all that’s been going on in the world?

For the first few months I really struggled. But having said that, I didn’t even try and write throughout that first lockdown. The world felt too strange and quite frankly there was absolutely nothing to write about. Like everyone around the world, I was doing the same thing day in and day out, I had no inspiration. But as the world started to open up again, I was really ready to get back to writing and my creative juices were definitely flowing from not having written for so long. 

What’s your go-to meal or snack to cook?

Cheesy pasta. I’m a terrible cook, again having said that, I don’t actually try very hard. But I love pasta and I love cheese, and I’m incredible at making cheesy pasta. It’s my forte. 

If your best friend was to describe you as a household object, what would they say and why?

I don’t know if the average person has this in their house, but probably a bottle of tequila. 

Would you rather go out or stay in?

It really depends on my mood. Because I really love a night in, but I also really love a night out. I’ll go with go out. 

You’ve started the year with a bang, what’s on the horizon for you?

I’m releasing a few more singles and then my EP called “You Had To Be There”.  I’m going to write loads more, and hopefully go on a tour. Whether it be my own or a support tour, performing live is my absolute favourite thing to do, so I really hope I can do some shows this year! 

Anyone who is considered to be like a bottle of tequila can be my friend!

You can just feel the power and control in Kate’s vocal ability and it’s spine tingling. So excited to see what this absolute honey brings out in the future, you just know it’s going to be gold. 

Check out Kate’s song below or head to our Sunday’s R 4 The Soul 🎷playlist to hear more songs like this one.

By Samuel Seedsman.