New Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboardist, and former touring bassist, Katie Cole has reacted to fans questioning why she is now playing keys for the band when she previously played bass.
After my announcement about touring with The Smashing Pumpkins on keys this summer, I received a number of texts, comments and emails about playing keys. Most people saying.
“i didnt know you played keys…”. Or “ i thought you were a bass player..”. Truth is I’m none of those things. I’m an Artist. I aim to help tap into truth and emotion through stories & melodies. My primary instrument is vocals. I’ve been singing since I was very small but really honed my craft singing background vocals with my sister in my pre-teen years. First instrument I taught myself to play was piano.
I learnt Beethoven and some Enya songs by ear at about 12. I’ve continued to add keys here and there on my own records. I then picked up a guitar at about 14, then again at 16 to start playing it live at shows and continued til now. I’ve played tidbits of bass in my old acoustic duo in Australia and in the studio a little. I never considered myself to be a lead singer til I was one …or a guitarist, or a bass player or a keyboard player til I was one. “I’m an artist, and if you give me a tuba, I’ll bring you something out of it.” – John Lennon
