ICYMI: #HighVoltageWoman IG Live featuring Kate Cosentino

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

As a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and business owner, few can find the proper balance between business and creativity quite as well as the multitalented Kate Cosentino.

Although Cosentino is incredibly talented as a vocalist, her passion for music originated with playing guitar. She started taking after school guitar lessons when she was in first grade, inspired by her love of Guitar Hero and her desire to be like Eddie Van Halen.

“I wanted to be the best guitar player out there,” Cosentino said.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Cosentino followed her passion for music to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Belmont University, where she studied music and the business around it. Now, she is establishing herself as a performer and a content creator across multiple social media platforms.

Although it can be difficult to constantly come up with and post new content, Cosentino says it helps to remind herself that content creation is supposed to be fun. Often, she finds that business and creativity complement each other.

“If you are trying to post every day, it’s normal for that to ebb and flow,” Consentino said.

While Nashville is typically known for its flourishing country music scene, Cosentino has had no problem finding her place as an indie pop artist.

“The indie and pop scene in Nashville is thriving,” Cosentino said. “There’s a place for all genres here.”

During the interview, Cosentino played one of her newer songs released this past January called “Prettiest Girl in the Room.” This song was inspired by her own body image issues growing up, while also focusing on the struggle of the “prettiest girl in the room” often being seen as nothing more than a pretty face.

“All that really matters is what you think of yourself and not what anyone else says,” Cosentino said.

In addition to her music career, Cosentino also owns a business called Big Chick Energy Guitar Straps, where she designs her own guitar straps with fun and cooky designs. She decided to start this company after always being faced with the same strap options at guitar stores. It was her goal to create straps that would match any artist personality.

As both a musician and a business owner, Cosentino has faced some challenges as a woman in the very male-dominated industry. She has found that some men assume that women are singers and know nothing about music theory or playing guitar. In these situations, she finds it important to stand up for herself and defend her knowledge.

“You have to speak up,” Consentino said.

Upcoming, Cosentino will be releasing her crowdfunded EP. Leading up to that, she will be releasing four singles beginning March 4, with one being posted every few weeks leading up to the EP’s drop. She is also looking to book an album release show sometime in May.

For more on Kate Cosentino, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.