Fresh Find - The Kate Hasting Band
- Freshly Brewed Country
- Aug 28, 2015
- 7 min read
We are happy to announce The Kate Hasting Band as our latest Fresh Find here at Freshly Brewed Country!
How it all started…A career in country music didn’t even seem like a possibility for Kate Hasting. Growing up on her family’s farm outside of the small town of New Carlisle, Ohio, Kate was involved in any type of performing the community had to offer – but the bright lights of Nashville seemed just a little too far out of reach.
“Most people born here, stay here. Why wouldn’t they? Our community has everything, and I love the small town feeling of knowing everyone and knowing my way around.” Kate reflects, “I guess the thought of leaving my family to further my love for writing and singing seemed a little far-fetched. Besides, I was studying biology and headed for medical school. Nothing was going to change my mind.”
Fast forward to the formation of THE KATE HASTING BAND…for the next two years Kate would beat a path between Ohio and Nashville, writing, recording, making contacts, and laying the groundwork for what would become The Kate Hasting Band.
Kate made Nashville her home in June, 2011–she had made her decision. “I knew I needed a top-notch acoustic guitar player to really set this thing in motion.” She met singer/songwriter Josh Beale at a writer’s round in Nashville and remembers thinking, “This guy looks like a rock star. He was one of the most rhythmically driven acoustic players I had ever seen. Josh’s being a phenomenal song writer and vocalist was icing on the cake.” Josh is now the band’s lead acoustic guitarist, vocalist, and fundamental part of the song writing process. He was also an integral part of recording their second EP, “Playing with Fire”.
Living in Music City eventually led Kate and Josh to meeting drummer Cam Smith. “Cam is one of the hardest working musicians I’ve ever played with, not to mention being hilarious and a great person. He has added so much to our sound!” smiles Kate. Cam came on board in 2013 bringing his showmanship and unique style to the band’s performances.
In 2013 The Kate Hasting Band released “Country Music” an EP recorded with Grammy-winning Nashville producer Chad Carlson along with guitarist and co-producer Rob McNelley. That EP led the band to opening for multiple national acts and serious industry recognition. “We’ve worked hard, and have been fortunate enough to share the stage with the talent of Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, Randy Houser, Parmalee, Colt Ford, and Sunny Ledfurd. We have been honored to play throughout the midwest and humbled by the love our fans give us in return. Being asked to sing the National Anthem for Vanderbilt University, performing on The Billy Block Show, being named SESAC Artists of the Month and Vietti Vinyl Artists has truly been an honor. I believe the best things in life are worth taking a chance for…and that’s what we’re doing with our music,” says Kate.
As 2015 begins, it finds The Kate Hasting Band finishing up recording and co-producing two of their most requested songs that were introduced to fans on their 2014 tour. “We’ve poured our heart and soul into these songs. They represent exactly the kind of music The Kate Hasting Band wants to make. Finding your own sound is a long process–we are so excited to release these songs and for our fans to hear and see how far we’ve come!” smiles Kate. The Kate Hasting Band is also set to release their first full-legnth video shot in Kate’s favorite place…Ohio!
“I heard a quote once about asking yourself what you would be willing to do that no one else would be willing to do to have what you want, or to be who you wanted to be. That quote has really stuck with me. This business is unpredictable and it is way outside of most people’s comfort zone – even mine – but it is what I love. This band may have my name, but without Josh and Cam, this unbelievable journey wouldn’t be possible. We all came from similar backgrounds, and have an undeniable chemistry you can feel when we write and play. Those boys are my best friends!”
Be sure to download music from The Kate Hasting Band today.
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We know you want to know more about all the members of The Kate Hasting Band so be sure to check out our interview with him below.
FBC: What made you want to get involved in the country music world?
KH: We always joke that country music chose us a long time ago. The three of us were raised on three different farms, in three different parts of the Midwest. Country music was a staple in each of our households and it eventually became the one thing we all couldn't put down. We all moved to Nashville at different times, with different dreams, and as complete strangers. We all pursued different projects with the ultimate goal of being able to be a part of Country Music. By the grace of God we all met and realized our potential together was stronger than it was pursuing our dreams apart. We've been blessed to have had a few doors open for us that have given us a small taste of Country Music and the world behind it. It's impossible not to want to be a part of the dance...it's a genre of music that stands alone in its longevity and honesty. As we continue down this roller coaster of a career, it can be easy to want more without remembering how beautiful the ride has been. I wish I could tell the ten year Kate putting on kitchen concerts that she'd get to see the things I've been blessed enough to see. She wouldn't believe me.
JB: I fell in love with country music when I was 11 or 12, when I would listen to the local country station while working on a dairy farm every night. I had been playing guitar for a few years already, and started writing country songs pretty quickly. I remember being 14 and really loving the idea of writing a #1 hit on country radio. I took some detours along the way, but realized years later that country has always been in my blood, and it’s what comes out of me naturally.
CS: Similar to Kate and Josh's upbringing, I also grew up on a farm and listening to country music. What made me want to be involved with the country music world really came up when I first moved to Nashville after college. After seeing other artists live out their dream, I felt like I could do it too. Plus getting to do what we have been doing has been worth it. It still feels like a dream that's going to get better as we go along this journey.
FBC: What song of yours is your favorite and why?
KH: If we could all three answer that, you'd put an end to all of our on road discussions haha. I think that's a universal, "TBA."
JB: I’m proud of everything we’ve done recently - we’ve definitely honed in on what our own unique sound is and what kind of message we want to send. That being said, I especially love “Behind The Bleachers.” When I got the initial idea for the song, it just kind of wrote itself, and after working through it with Kate, it became one of the first instances in my life I could really look at one of my songs and feel real pride.
CS: To be honest, I wouldn't be able to answer that. I enjoy all the songs we have came up with but a universal favorite between the three of us might still be under construction.
FBC: Who is your country music idol and why?
KH: Again, if we could narrow that down to one name, what would we have to argue about on trips? We all agree there are artists that have changed the game for every decade. We admire anyone who has changed the game...made country better. From Dolly to Miranda...from Johnny to Luke Bryan and before...this is an incredibly hard career path and God bless the ones who have loved it enough to take it all of the way.
JB: I’ve had a lot of favorites throughout the years…Garth, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan…but I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Keith Urban. He’s this cross between country boy and rockstar, which I absolutely relate to…and I would LOVE to be that great a guitar player!
CS: This might take me a while to figure out. I do respect a lot of folks that paved the way for country music and for what it is today. I still admire those that are still making splashes in it today as well.
FBC: What are three fun facts about you that you want your fans to know?
KH: 1) Whenever we are in Ohio, we try to make it back to Kate's family farm and after everyone goes to bed, the 3 of us stay up talking and watching the stars in the middle of the road. On the rare occasion that a car would come, we run like hec and then resume. 2) We all fall in love really hard. It's embarrassing haha! 3) None of us are dating (seems to be a common question).
JB: First, I love cows, haha…I’m proud of my Wisconsin heritage and specifically being part of the dairy industry for so many years. Second, I have a not-so-secret obsession with cowboy boots - especially snakeskin. And third, I think Kate’s dog “Gatsby” loves me more than her.
CS: 1) I laugh when I'm nervous. A lot of times, it accelerates when it increases in volume. 2) Allergic to Broccoli. I don't have a sickness towards it, but I know when I eat it, I will be sick. 3) I worked as a repo-man for 9 months.
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