Kate Ceberano is an icon in the Australian music industry; she is a singer, songwriter, actor and multiple ARIA award winner. Kate recently teamed up with Mark Isham to create a new album entitled Bittersweet.
We were lucky enough to interview Kate Ceberano and find out more about Australia’s sweetheart:
B&L: Tell us what you love about your new album, Bittersweet?
Kate: It feels grown up, elegant and vintage, and super cool. I just love it!
B&L: What was it like working with Mark Isham?
Kate: Amazing…He is a burning flame! He is so busy working on different creative projects; he doesn’t seem circumspect or introverted with music. He is free, and working with him I felt free and confident.

B&L: The songs are from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, what was the reason behind this?
Kate: Because they’re beautifully crafted, requiring sensitivity and a good dose of sentimentality
(which I have in spades). I think it’s music from a time that when you’re in it, you also go back in time. It's pretty surreal.
B&L: Have you been mainly a heartbreaker or broken hearted?
Kate: A good measure of both!
B&L: What do you think it is that has given you such longevity in the Australian music industry?
Kate: I recover fast, and I'm passionate about things of beauty and in creativity.
B&L: You are the Victorian Ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, what message would you like to give to women out there?
Kate: I’m very proud of my association and I hope I am an appropriate role model. We live in a culture that can tend to lack confidence and we don’t often want to burden others with our troubles, but for any individual or any family or community facing Cancer, this group is a life line for information, help and support.
B&L: What is your favourite music genre?
Kate: I love music like a gallery embraces art. I have a really broad taste for music and artists and have my own reasons for loving each and every CD I own, my collection is seriously eclectic.

B&L: Do you embrace 80’s fashion or think once was enough?
Kate: No I say go for it, colour, hair, everything tight and uncomfortable or baggy and unflattering, lets face it the 80's is for the young ‘uns. If they are diggin’ the hesian sack aka Hazee fantazee then who am I to stand in the way of a good time!
Personally, I like to think of myself more as a Souxie Soux kinda gal but, The 80's lets you have a go at anything....all at the same time!
B&L: Are there any Australian music acts that you are excited about right now?
Kate: My good friend Sam (a great Aussie pianist, works with the "other" Kate, the wonderful Katie Noonan) put me on to Sam De Heer. Also Gian Slater, Melbourne gal, beautiful, beautiful voice!
B&L: What do you love most about recording live?
Kate: It’s a performance as fragile and dependant upon the audience for its quality. Meaning, every player is listening, responding, contributing to the atmosphere of the song. Nothing is thought of in advance, just simply being in it.
I hate depending on technology to improve or correct performance, rather, it should observe and be a witness to it.
B&L: What’s next for Kate Ceberano?
Kate: I’m putting up a stage play actually; I’ve dubbed it my "micro musical". I am in rehearsals right now and it debuts at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Performing the songs of Hal David and Burt Bacharach to libretto penned by myself and Sarah Walker (who is a novelist from Sydney). We will be hitting the road again in August for a run of tour dates as well.
B&L: What does being a woman mean to you?
Kate: Everything!
This month we have 5 copies of Bittersweet to giveaway, click here to enter!
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KATE MILLER HEIDKE
SHEA FISHER
JASMINE RAE
TARA MOSS
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