Interview: Kate Tempest > <

Tue, Feb 16 2010

Interview: Kate Tempest

Rivmixx came across this spoken word poet, Kate Tempest, a while back. You might remember her from our Rivmixx Supports feature earlier this year. Up until recently we'd only seen her performances online. But, as we settled ourselves down at the spoken word Book Slam (check our Book Slam review here) and she took to the stage, it became evident exactly how Kate Tempest has accrued herself such a following.

The intensity Kate Tempest displays when performing her spoken word poetry – read more about that here - means that you don't just want to listen to her music, you make the effort to go and watch a performance because that is where she excels. And it really is a privilege to share that experience with the prolific lyricist. Her words wrap around her expression as she fights to make you understand her every feeling.

Taking to the stage in a khaki parker and trainers, with a beer in hand and exuding a laid-back vibe, you could easily imagine Tempest had just stepped out of Glastonbury music festival. Physically she couldn't be further from any image you have ever associated with hip hop - nor would you place her as a spoken word poet. As soon as those words start flowing from her mouth, however, with the intense and effortless delivery she exudes, you are in awe of the wisdom she displays – a wisdom hidden well by such youthful looks.

Starting out in the hip hop arena at open mic nights and the like, Tempest is now some what of a rising star in the world of spoken word. She's also now backed by her band, Sound of Rum, and has – thanks to the support of spoken word / hip hop front runner and label mate Scroobius Pip - been signed by Rob Da Bank's Sunday Best label. Sound of Rum are currently busy working on an upcoming album, whilst Tempest also continues to recite her verses at poetry slams and expand her play-writing skills - creating a one woman show and pursuing her dream of becoming a writer.

Kate Tempest, 'Best Intentions', Intro by Scroobius Pip:

We caught up with her after her performance last night to talk recording processes, life as a band member and starting out as a female MC....

Rivmixx: You're often described as an MC / poet. Did it all begin with poetry or hip hop for you?

Kate Tempest: “I started writing with music, it was just something I did to express. Then I started writing without the beats, a cappella. I went to New York and I won this competition there, a poetry slam. I won a little money and that was great - it enabled me to think, yeah! So, I kept going and somehow it has turned into this. Now I'm kind of doing more spoken word stuff, which is not where I started but it's good for me to experience different audiences.”

R: So you're routed in hip hop rather than poetry then?

K.T: “Yeah, that's where I began. That's what inspired me to write bars. And now I'm here at events like this. (Laughs) I mean I don't necessarily feel totally home in this kind of environment, I prefer a hip hop environment, that's home for me. But this sort of thing is great, it pushes me and challenges me. I want to be a writer. That's what I'd like to be one day, so to be involved in bits like this is just such a great experience and opportunity.”

R: You've just been signed to Rob Da Bank's Sunday Best label? What's the label like?

K.T: “The label are great, really supportive. They're a really small label but they are just great. We were signed as a band and they've helped us just get everything together.

R: How does working with the band differ from working alone?

K.T: “It's just more fun, you know. I love writing with musicians anyway. When we're in the studio creating, I feel like we're making something really special, I don't know if it will work commercially, I'd love it to. I'd love for it to become commercial, because that means that people that wouldn't normally get to hear these types of lyrics would. And I'd be reaching a wide range of people. And I'm just so excited to be writing songs too, instead of just long, unending passages of words.”

R: Has your gender impacted on your journey at all?

K.T: “Yeah, it has for me. Not so much now, but when I started out definitely. It has worked for me as well, though, because when people do get to hear me and what I'm saying, then they are impressed. More so than if they had expected me to be good. But starting out, I mean, I used to have to get my friend to get the microphone for me, because, well because basically he was male and no one would give me the microphone!”

R: As someone who obviously loves hip hop, how do you feel about it as a genre now?

K.T: “I mean, pure hip hop, real hip hop is very different from what is out there commercially. I love hip hop, more so before it was taken and distorted and abused and turned into something destructive. It's very different in the US than it is in the UK though.”

R: Are you still inspired by UK hip hop?

K.T: “Yeah definitely, completely, all of it man. I mean everyone at Speakers Corner, they've inspired me forever, since I was what, 17? And even, more commercial artists, like Jehst. Jehst is great and Klasknekoff. What they do is amazing. There's a lot of talent over here. Just because it's not out there like it should be doesn't mean it's not happening."

R: You're album 'Broken Herd' was recorded live at Pure Groove. Why did you decide to record it live?

K.T: “Oh it's just a totally different thing. Something happens to your voice when you are talking to people. When you are trying to get your point across to somebody you express yourself differently. It's like this this evening, I'm here, talking to you. To record that dry, just me and a microphone in a studio just seems pointless. And it went really well, I was really happy with it.”

R: The album comes in a goodies package, what's with the stick on tattoos?

K.T: “Oh. (laughs) We just wanted to put a little package together and basically, I have tattoos, I love them. So my friend designed them, she's a tattoo artist, she drew them and we just had them made into these crappy stick on tattoos. They're just fun, they're just this film that you stick on to yourself and they have these “Tempest” designs. They're just a laugh.”

R: What are you doing next, what's the plan for 2010?

K.T: “Well, I've got the album coming out with the band, soon hopefully, not sure on the date yet. I'll be doing more of this and I'm just planning a one woman show 'coz I write plays too. So yeah, no final details yet but lots of things in planning stages.”