Katie Davis is an amazing singer-songwriter from Seattle who I’ve been a fan of since the early days of Rubyfruit Radio. Her songs are a mix of melancholy and emotion (in a good way!). Add her brilliant voice and you’ve got something truly special.
Recently, Katie started creating greeting cards as a way to finance her music. They’ve gotten rave reviews and are selling like crazy. Go to ilikeyouandnaps.com and check out them out. Zooey Deschanel loves them, shouldn’t you?
Also, check out her website where you can download one of her EPs for free.
www.katiedavismusic.com

What was the first concert you ever attended?

I think the first show I went to was Sweetwater at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. I was maybe a freshman in high school. The theater had seats, and my ticket had my seat number on it, so even though there were empty seats up front, I stayed in my seat in the back because I thought I would get in trouble if I moved up.

If you could form a band with 3 other people in it, who would those 3 people be?

Okay, the choices are overwhelming me, so I’m forming a random band:

Mick Jagger
Carrie Brownstein
My sister

THIS BAND IS AWESOME. Also, in this imaginary band, I would like to suddenly know how to play drums.

You have an Etsy shop and your “I Like You and Naps” cards have become quite popular and have been blogged about in countless places. You’ve expanded the selection quite a bit recently, do you plan on continuing making cards and coming up with new ones? What’s the inspiration behind them?

“I like you and naps” was a simple expression of how much I like naps.

I put up a handful of cards on Etsy, and suddenly I had so many sales I broke my printer and had to shut down my shop for a few days. It turns out naps are very popular.

All my cards are simple expressions of my self or inspired by my friends. “I do not like jobs.” “Love is weird.” “You drink too much.” I just wanted to make something I liked. It makes me happy that other people like them too.

I will definitely continue to make cards! The money I make selling cards helps me to support my music.

Sad songs seem to be your signature. Why sad songs?

I love sad songs. They are my favorite.

I like sad songs that say something beautiful or honest. I like sad songs with hope.

How do you approach your songwriting and where does your inspiration come from?

I think maybe writing songs about things is how I let them go.

I write without really thinking about it. I’m not sitting down with a guitar like, “I will write a song about this thing.” I’m just playing and something comes up. I feel like I’m trying to remember the words. I’m always trying to say it more simply, more honestly.

A few months ago, I woke up singing a song from my dream. I rolled over in bed and sang the chorus right into my phone.

Songwriting comes and goes for me. One season, I write a bunch of songs. The next season, nothing comes. When it comes, I get caught up in it. I will play a new song over and over all night.

Some of my favorites from the past 5 years!

Rilo Kiley- With Arms Outstretched
Amy Ray- Put It Out For Good
Three5Human- Yesterday’s Girl
Katie Todd Band- Leave
Honeychuck- Leaving For Good
Sirsy- Lie To Me
Adrienne Pierce- Arizona
Alyson Greenfield- Good Looks
Mieka Pauley- Stronger
Emily Zuzik- Breaking It Down
Katie Davis- Movie
Paramore- Pressure
Meg & Dia- Roses
CSS- Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above
Wendy Bucklew- I Want
nervous but excited- Wishlist
Terra Naomi- Up Here
Jenny Owen Youngs- Fuck Was I
Kaiser Cartel- Okay
Ingrid Michaelson- The Way I Am
The Ting Tings- Shut Up And Let Me Go
Tegan and Sara- Hell
Kate Nash- Foundations
The Gossip- Standing In The Way Of Control

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KaiserCartel- Ready To Go
Amanda Palmer- Do You Swear To Tell The Truth…
Katie Davis- Baby Your Eyes
Merry Ellen Kirk- Candy
Las Robertas- Back To The End
Noush Skaugen- Wake Up
Corin Tucker-Doubt

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Lissie- Bully
Katie Davis- Fisherman
Kate McMahon- Six Story Caryard Apartment
Mynabirds- Numbers Don’t Lie
Sharon Van Etten- Love More
Tirzah Lemmens- Flight
Wye Oak- I Hope You Die

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The musical journey around the United States continues. Some states have a lot of songs written about them and California is one of them. This episode is devoted to to the state and some of the cities there.

Salme Dahlstrom -Hello California
Ingrid Michaelson- San Francisco
Katie Davis- Los Angeles
Erin McKeown- Santa Cruz
Eliza Neals- Hotel California
Denise Marsa- This Is California
Jolie Holland- Goodbye California

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Katie Davis Tell Everyone

The Weepies Take It From Me

Tracy SheddPlastic World

Jo Mango Evaporated

Lisa Bianco Post Data/We Communicate

Namoli Brennet Chrysanthemum

Amy Cook Halfway

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August 5, 2009   //   Episodes, Podcasts   //   No Comments   //   Tags: amy cook, jo mango, Katie Davis, lisa bianco, namoli brennet, the weepies, tracy shedd