“Music should be healing. It should bring people together. Lord knows the blues came from real struggles back in the day, things we don't face now. But Lord also knows that the blues can land on anyone. Hard times come from life and the horribly unacceptable things we go through. We all have our story. If you don't have one, you are blessed.”

KAT Blue: The Clock Strikes Blue

The Clock Strikes Blue, the new EP from Kat Blue & The True Believers, locks into the band's "all A-sides, all the time" philosophy and never lets go. The downbeat of the opening track, "The Blues Is My Business," hits like a sledgehammer, instantly demanding your attention. Moments later, when Kat's vocals kick in, you are effortlessly drawn into her spell. "The concept for this band was born in 2022," Kat (aka Kimberly Trevallion) notes. "A lot of the momentum came from local Blues Hall of Famers, who were my go-to guys for fill-ins in my previous band. They all kept telling me, 'You need your own band, singing your own songs. Your band—not a collaborative project, your band.' So, in November 2023, I gathered a group of true believers. We jumped on stage to play a couple of songs at Bluesapalooza in 2024, and the crowd loved it. The very next year, they invited us back as headliners, and it's been rolling ever since." Throughout Clock Strikes Blue, the band consistently finds that extra gear, shifting the songs into overdrive. Moods and tempos switch seamlessly, while unexpected twists in song selection and arrangements add layers that make the listener's experience all the more intriguing. Kat’s approach speaks to the very hallmark of true blues: telling stories that transcend mere entertainment to strike an emotional core.

(KAT Blue aka Kimberly Trevallion)

"I want our songs to take hold of you and make you feel something—they need to touch you and shake your soul," Kat explains. "I don't play for my own satisfaction; egos and self-serving motives don't enter into it. My goal is to build a community of people who gather—no matter where we play—to let their hair down and party with us. We want to put you on a roller coaster. Take you up, down, and all around. Just when you think the ride is over... it’s only just begun! By the time we’re done, you’ll be gripping your seat, wondering, 'What just happened?!'"

Interview by Michael Limnios                  Special Thanks: Larry Kay (Night Train PR)

What keeps you passionate over the years in rock & blues music?

The storytelling in Blues Rock combines heartfelt, in your face music with lyrics that everyone can relate to. The songs tell stories that you've heard and even lived yourself before, yet they sound fresh and thrilling. Being able to draw a crowd into the story, the emotions and the power of Blues Rock, is a connection that keeps me passionate. It's a thrill for me and them each time we share the tales of heartache, triumph and love.

How does your hometown (Iowa) that affect your music?

I know the stories of the community of friends and fans that are listening, dancing and singing along. Their encouragement means the world to me and keeps me passionate about my dream of sharing the joy of music. They support the new songs I write and give me license to be creative and have fun with my craft. They keep me going, literally.

How did the blues shape rock and roll?

Is a Music History question. Not really personal to my story, I guess. But I'm glad it did! My first thought is that rock and roll was about rebellion. After enough Blues, it's time to be a rebel soul and find your anthem!

What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

“What's the balance of technique and soul?” is a more directly relatable question.

You really can't have one without the other and still communicate the type of passionate performance that reaches people wherever they are. If you are a hired singer that comes in and reads performs sheet music, with perfect execution, but you have no soul...send that stuff to a Disney movie. Blues is a feeling. The techniques you apply when you sing come from where the story hits you. It can be pain from deep within your bones or anger in the clench of your fist. It can be tears spilling down your face as you cry out for someone to hear you, or the longest note you've ever held just pouring out from your body into the universe. The feeling demands you to find the soul. You find and perfect the technique to support what you know that feeling should sound like.

“Share, share, share and then share when you discover a new to you blues artist. Invite your friends when that band comes to town. Share and support the podcasts, magazines, radio stations and venues that support the blues.” (Photo: KAT Blue & The True Believers)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Gigs: The best gigs are where people sing and dance with you and stay till the end- and are as sad as you when it has to end. You take a roller coaster ride with them. You make new friends and keep the ride going with the old. You share smiles, hugs- a real connection.

Jams: When you hit that magic of improv. You know where you want to take the song and the other musicians follow. And vice versa. You learn from each other and drive each other to be better. You take a chance on something new with band-mates and see if the fans like it, asking for feedback after you jump off the stage. You meet your next bass player or drummer, or songwriting partner. You Definitely gain fans who want to hear more. That never gets old- when they say “I have to hear more of you, how can I do that!?” You support other musicians that host the jam and are trying to make some money. When folks come up and put a $20 in the tip jar for my jam host friend, while I'm singing or when I can sing their requested song, it makes my day too!

Studio Sessions are the best. We rehearse our asses of before we go in so we can get it together on one take. Then we do another take for good measure. Then we sit together and critique our finished product. We have an awesome studio engineer that really knows how! He sits with me on each song after and we can make little tweaks. We take lots of pictures, eat, drink and encourage each other. Like having a baby we are so proud to deliver to the world!

What are your hopes and fears for the future of music?

Well I must say I fear for the folks that cant tell the difference between Artificial songs and songwriting and the real thing. They will be come robots listening to robots. I can tell the difference pretty quick into a song – usually something goofy in the lyrics and a Artificial voice I've heard on too many songs. But people are fooled too easily and YouTube is flooding it right into their faces, automatically and unrequested. Like, you'll hear a ZZ Top song then suddenly there are ZZ Top clones singing pseudo AI songs that get the views and support you did not intend to give them. I HOPE we can always tell the difference in a song that is written from the human heart and the human experience versus AI. I HOPE we will always CARE about that difference.

I do also fear that musicians cannot make a living on music alone. We always have to have another job. We make the same pay people were making 30 years ago and can't even hope for record sales because everything is streaming now. I fear that it will always be only a hobby for some of the most talented people I know. Folks way more talented than I.

“The storytelling in Blues Rock combines heartfelt, in your face music with lyrics that everyone can relate to. The songs tell stories that you've heard and even lived yourself before, yet they sound fresh and thrilling. Being able to draw a crowd into the story, the emotions and the power of Blues Rock, is a connection that keeps me passionate. It's a thrill for me and them each time we share the tales of heartache, triumph and love.” (KAT Blue aka Kimberly Trevallion)

How do you find opportunities for women in the music industry and the blues scene in particular?

Simply put, it's Boy's Club. In my hometown they even have a BOYS ONLY musicians' luncheon. I thought for sure they were joking but, when the business that hosts it was on the rocks, I volunteered to come support it. They confirmed, Not Welcome – Boys only. This is a clear representation of the wall we women face. I am on a committee for the National Women in Blues and I hear about this same attitude happening all around the world. The women get the breadcrumbs and scraps and are expected to be thankful. A male kid that's seventeen, that can play a little guitar and not even sing very well, gets reps from across the state coming to check him out. He is immediately welcomed to the the table. A female blues singer that can belt it out like Etta, with feeling like Beth Hart, gets ignored and has to make her way without their support. It is sickening to watch. BUT my recording engineer told me one thing- “KAT, if they are denying you, then make yourself undeniable!” I took that to heart. Someday the men around here that do this will understand. And I will go to the end of the earth to sing my songs with the passion that comes from sharing the joy of music. I have to make my own opportunities. I put on Blues festivals of my own and have awesome friends to headline with me. Also- support other women in blues, even if they don't support you. That's a hard one!

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Music should be healing. It should bring people together. Lord knows the blues came from real struggles back in the day, things we don't face now. But Lord also knows that the blues can land on anyone. Hard times come from life and the horribly unacceptable things we go through. We all have our story. If you don't have one, you are blessed. I could share many a heartbreak with you, and many a triumph over that as well. Shared struggle, shared fight for survival, shared love, shared victories. These things cross cultures and bring hearts together, even if it's just for one night.

“Blues is a feeling. The techniques you apply when you sing come from where the story hits you. It can be pain from deep within your bones or anger in the clench of your fist. It can be tears spilling down your face as you cry out for someone to hear you, or the longest note you've ever held just pouring out from your body into the universe.” (KAT Blue aka Kimberly Trevallion)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

- Always always appreciate the folks who come out to support you and cheer for you on your journey. They are true gifts. Answer their messages, hang out with them when you can. Build those relationships into a community.

- The term “dependable musician” may be an oxymoron. But, if you look long enough you can find folks who share your dream. We are called The True Believers because we believe in our mission, our music and each other. We don't let each other down.

- Finding the right band mates is quite like doing a very difficult puzzle. You see a piece, you know it fits, and then it doesn't! You see a piece that fits perfectly but it is still wrong for one reason or another. Try, try again. Be flexible. Managing a band is truly hard work, when you do find all the right pieces. More than I ever thought it would be. But when it works out, it's a beautiful thing to be grateful for, never taken for granted.

- The ego is the musician's worst enemy. Your pride can block your ears and get your temperature up over misunderstandings. There will always be someone better and worse than you- so just be the best you. Don't worry about who is right,worry about what is right for the band or performance. When the spotlight shines on you, be ready to step up and show up with a great performance. That does not mean having to be the only one in the spotlight or stealing the spotlight by turning yourself way up or taking a solo that goes on and on and on. It's a rock and a hard place sometimes when a musician is so good and they know it. They will be right there with the amazing performance but that same ego may leave them as a one man band.

- Comparison is another enemy. When less talented bands get a big show based on who they know and you're there struggling to just get any show, it makes you want to quit. It seems so unfair. Talent should have a big say in who gets booked. But that is not the case. Some folks just want to get drunk and hear any band that can play Mustang Sally. Be careful to remind yourself that you have something unique to offer. It takes work to find your niche and build your fan base. Don't give up what you love because a bubble-gum pop cover band gets to play for thousands...right?

- THE WHY. Remember why you perform. Remember that feeling when the band does a song just right, hits that last note, and exhales together with a smile. And then the applause when the audience does that at the same time. YUP. You know what I'm saying.

How can we turn the blues into a more popular and commercial genre today?

Share, share, share and then share when you discover a new to you blues artist. Invite your friends when that band comes to town. Share and support the podcasts, magazines, radio stations and venues that support the blues. We are adding our own blues rock twist to the blues to make sure we are telling stories that today's listeners can relate to. KAT Blue & The True Believers will take you on a roller coaster ride of music where you get off and jump right back in line to ride again and again. Keep that excitement and connection!

KAT Blue & The True Believers - Home

(Photo: KAT Blue & The True Believers)