June 19, 2018

Meet Kate Eppers in Salem

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Eppers.

Kate, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a singer, songwriter and actress from Salem, Ma. At a young age I knew I wanted to perform and be creative in every and any way. I performed in Harvard University’s comedic “The Ig Nobel Awards” from the age of 8 until 17. This is a comedic award show parody of the actual Nobel Awards. Real life Nobel laureates actually partake in this. It was so exciting to deliver lines and be met with this uproarious crowd response. Being 10 years old and performing in a beautiful Hall like Sanders Theater (Cambridge) for 1,200 people was such a trip. I enjoyed comedy immensely being that I was a goofy, fun loving child who just wanted to make her friends laugh. Being so young and performing at places like MIT and Harvard in this comedy show was beyond fun and exciting. There was also something special about being the only child in a show full of adults. Doing so many of these shows gave me the foundations of performance art. This not only enabled me to feel comfortable performing in front of large crowds, it made me love it. I threw myself right in and never looked back. Getting that amazing audience response was just so addicting.

Fast forward to adulthood; I went on to do local Boston Theater. One of my favorite roles was portraying “Mrs. Potiphar” in Neverland theaters rendition of “Joseph and the amazing Technicolor dream coat”. This was one of my all-time favorite musicals and getting to play one of my favorite characters was a dream comes true! Performing in musical theater is my number one favorite thing if I ever had to choose. I first began singing professionally in 2011 with the Cape Ann Big Band (17 piece big band out of Gloucester) often performing at Christmas concerts with them. Performing with CABB at the “Shalin Liu” in Rockport may be my favorite show to date. Around 2013 I began to write and record my own music. My first big gig performing my own original music was the Danvers fireworks festival of 2013. The Talented MS. Erica Van Pelt was the headline. What a rush to perform my own words/music in front of thousands.
I moved back to my hometown of Salem, MA in 2014 and in the midst of an emotional roller-coaster time period I wrote my album “The Wishing Well”. The album is truly a timestamp of this amazing, wild summer I had. I fell crazy in love and the emotions poured out of me and into my keyboard. It took another three years to record as I fund myself completely. Good things are worth waiting for and I couldn’t be more proud of this album. The positive response I received from the community and beyond made all the hard work worth it.

Around this time I also began starring in Music Videos for some amazing local bands. (One Time Mountain, Anthony Colurusso, Jack Fosset, etc.). This was great as I was stretching my acting muscles while being directly part of the Boston music scene in a different way. Following this I became heavily involved in the Boston and New Hampshire Independent movie scene. I wrapped various films over the years that are now in post-production. I also composed (as well as donated song from my album) for three films. Notably, a Boston filmed period film entitled “The Chair” (Bald Dog Productions) in which rock band “One Time Mountain” and I co-wrote a tune for. (The song is called “Show you a good time”) The film is set in the roaring 20’s. In the film I play a speakeasy singer. I dance and sing along to the song. One of the most fun times I’ve had on set hands down. Presently, I’m in in the rehearsal/pre productions stages of four Films that will shoot this year. As much as I love performing on stage for a live audience, acting in films gives gave me a whole new perspective and experience in performance. I have met so many great people though my indie film work. Each film leads to new friendships and often new opportunities. As far as music, I am always writing new material but I am actively in the first stages of recording an album of covers with the incredible pianist Bob Nasella (Teal Street Band). At live shows, I accompany myself or I call Bob in. I continue to play out a few times monthly.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would make sure that I was 100% covered from a legal standpoint concerning my own music. Independent artists should keep records of everything including receipts. Always have forms and releases handy when working with others just to make sure that you are always protected. Should a working relationship turn into something unsavory, you want to make sure that you are protected, that your precious work is safe from others who may try to get their hands on it. Of course I speak of this as due to situation I one time dealt with. No matter what I will always be a trusting person, this is a quality of mine I cherish. However it doesn’t hurt to be aware and prepared. Indie artist should do their homework when it comes to the studio they choose, musicians they work with etc.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kate Eppers – what should we know?
Actress, composer, voice over, singer, songwriter, pianist.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
All of my music comes from real pleasure, real pain. The music is a direct translation of my real life vivid, beautiful, intense memories that I needed to capture in melody.

100% authentic in my delivery. What’s different about my music is it’s quite the interesting cocktail of various genres and flavors. I forever am a Disney princess at heart, and this influence comes through throughout “The Wishing Well”.

I love all things dark and creepy, whether it be the literature of Edgar Allen Poe or ‘The Phantom of the Opera’. If one were to pretend my music was a strew you could say there is a little bit of Tori Amos thrown in there, with some eclectic flavors. I love so many different kinds of music, all genres. My songs were somewhat undefined as they were being written but evolved in such a way that it surprised me quite a bit. The results of the finished album are interesting because it’s what I wanted it to be as well as what I never expected it to be. It’s my life’s work thus far. I’m so grateful I was able to pour so much inside of me into a something physical, something I can share forever.

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Image Credit:
Born Imagery, Lee Morest Photgraphy, Lee Mac Photo

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