A Thousand Frames of Mind with Kate Bollinger
brooklyn, new york - oct 16th, 2024
A career that began as a few self-recorded YouTube videos in her home has established Kate Bollinger as an up-and-coming artist with immense potential and a distinctive sound. She has spent the last eight years releasing EPs and touring with renowned musicians. This year, she has shifted her focus to her own music with the launch of her debut studio album and a solo tour across the US and Europe. In just one year, Bollinger went from playing Bowery Electric to selling out The Music Hall of Williamsburg, which has nearly triple the capacity. Her show last Wednesday captured her at a unique moment between her past and the potential of her future, blending old and new.
Kate Bollinger stepped onto the stage of The Music Hall of Williamsburg without an introduction and launched into the playful tempo of the first song from her latest album, Songs From A Thousand Frames of Mind. As she transitioned into the next track, “To Your Own Devices”, the tempo slowed, highlighting her harmony with the band. The sweet tinkling of the keyboard, rhythmic guitar strums, light drumbeats, and simple bass lines blended seamlessly with Bollinger’s melodic voice, filling the cozy venue. The audience swayed along, still getting accustomed to the new lyrics. In an instant, the energy shifted as the intro chords of “Yards / Gardens”, her second most-streamed song, rang out. The crowd joined in, singing along to lyrics that captured adolescent uncertainty beneath an energetic beat. Bollinger then performed another favorite, “Running”, before pausing to ask her tour manager for her diary. Once the small yellow notebook was in her hands, she informed the audience that she would be playing a new song. Opening to her notes, she offered a sneak peek at her upcoming music, touching on bittersweet themes of love without revealing the title.
via @keetiebee on Instagram
Returning to her latest collection, she performed “In a Smile” and “Postcards from a Cloud.” After that, she announced it was her drummer’s birthday, prompting the crowd to sing a sweet rendition of “Happy Birthday” for him. She briefly spoke about life on tour and the sense of connection and family she feels with her band. While Bollinger has been gaining recognition over the past few years, she is still at the start of a promising career. This show had a charming quality that the audience will cherish as she evolves, allowing them to reflect fondly on experiencing her talent in such an intimate setting. Bollinger continued the performance with a mix of old and new songs. The audience danced along to her most-streamed hit, “Pictures of You”, and tuned in as the lights shifted to rainbow colors for the standout track from the new album, “I See It Now.”
Now fifteen songs into her set, Bollinger and the band took a moment to reset their instruments. She playfully whistled back at some audience members, filling the silence with their own tunes. For the last song from the new album, the band exited the stage, leaving a moment of confusion in the room. But Bollinger quickly reassured everyone, explaining that only the keyboardist knew how to play “Lonely.” The band and the rainbow lights returned to close out the set with two final songs: “Who Am I but Someone” and “Any Day Now.”
Bollinger's stage presence is calm and collected. She doesn’t spend time talking to the crowd; instead, she lets her music speak for her. She wrapped up the night with an impressive 18 songs, sharing her experiences and insights with the audience. Her vision singular, from the artistry to the music videos. Check out her Lyrics & Photos Songbook on her website, where she talks about the inspiration behind the new body of work and the creation of the visual landscape. Bollinger’s current tour continues through the US in the last few months of this year and will head to Europe in the new year.
