Bay Village native Kate Voegele released her debut album, “Don’t Look Away,” on May 22 through MySpace Records. The album can be purchased online at iTunes as well as at Borders Books and Music, f.y.e. (for your entertainment) and Best Buy locations. (Photo courtesy of Michael J. Media Group)

Bay native releases first full-length collection of songs
By Ben Saylor
Insights
Published June 13, 2007

Singer-songwriter Kate Voegele, at the tender age of 20, already has two EPs under her belt, and, as of May 22, a full-length album, and one on a budding record label to boot.

“Don’t Look Away,” a collection of 13 songs, all of which are at least co-written by Voegele, was released last month through MySpace Records, a new label started by the popular networking Web site. She’s currently on the road promoting the record, but the Bay Village native is set to return to this neck of woods June 19 and 20, with performances at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights and the House of Blues in Cleveland respectively.

Voegele recorded the album in Los Angeles with a group of professional musicians, under the stewardship of producer Marshall Altman. While she was not able to bring her regular touring group out west to record, Voegele said the musicians she worked with were impressive.

“They were just ridiculous,” Voegele said, adding that she would tell the band what she wanted in the song, and “after a few tries, they nailed it.”

“It was so much fun,” Voegele said of recording in LA. “I love being in the studio.”

In terms of themes in her writing, Voegele said, “It just depends.” She said some songs were drawn from personal experience, while in others, she was trying to expound on more universal ideas.

“I draw inspiration from so many different places,” Voegele said, adding that her goal in songwriting is always to affect the audience and provide them with something they can relate to.

“That totally makes my day,” Voegele said of writing songs that have an impact on listeners.

For the album as a whole, Voegele said, “I really just wanted to make a great record.” She said producer Altman was very “artist friendly” and open to ideas, and said the end result marked the culmination of her work as an artist over the past several years.

In terms of influences, Voegele lists many of the legendary singer-songwriters prominent in the 1970s, such as Eric Clapton, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carli Simon and James Taylor, along with contemporary artists such  as Ryan Adams and the late Jeff Buckley. However, Voegele said she considers Patty Griffin her biggest influence.

“She’s just amazing,” Voegele said, saying that Griffin’s casual stage presence in particular is impressive to her.

Voegele, who recently finished her second year at Miami University (of Ohio), told West Life she would not be returning to the college in the fall, citing the demands of promoting the new album. She added that both her manager and MySpace Records were very supportive of her continuing to go to school, but that while college was an “amazing experience,” she wants to focus on a career in music.

Will she return to college someday?

“I definitely want to get a degree at some point,” Voegele said.

In the meantime, Voegele’s plan is to continue touring with her band, which consists of Patrick O’Donnell, drums, of Avon Lake; Andy Sorenson of Rocky River, keyboards; Mark Tobik of Bay Village, bass and Sam Getz of Avon Lake, guitar. She’s been touring since mid-April and hopes to continue touring through the end of the year.

“I love it,” Voegele said of life on the road. “I’m a pretty laid-back person and I really like to travel.”

But just because “Don’t Look Away” came out and she’s on the road promoting it doesn’t mean that Voegele isn’t thinking about album number two. Her MySpace deal is for six albums, and if, after two, she doesn’t get a deal with Interscope, MySpace’s major label partner, she can opt out of the contract. Voegele said she’s got a “ton of new stuff” to record.

“I’m constantly writing,” Voegele said. She said it’s actually difficult for her because she has too much material to put on a single record.

“I guess it’s a good problem to have,” Voegele said.

“Don’t Look Away” can be purchased at Borders Books and Music, at Best Buy locations and f.y.e. (for your entertainment) stores, as well as iTunes. Listeners can also play the songs on Voegele’s MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/katevoegele.

The Cain Park show, featuring Voegele’s full touring band, will be at 8 p.m. The House of Blues show will be at 7 p.m. June 20.

On July 4, Voegele will perform at 8 p.m. at Don Shula Stadium at John Carroll University in University Heights. She is also scheduled to appear at the OROC (Out Run Ovarian Cancer) 5K walk and one-mile family fun run Aug. 25. The morning race begins and ends at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland.

On the Net:

• Kate Voegele — Official Web site
• Kate Voegele at My Space
• MySpace Records
• "Bay’s own is youngest to win national songwriting contest"
  West Life, Jan. 25, 2006