With a unique background which harnesses both the cultures and traditions of the American Midwest and Ireland, country singer-songwriter Katherine Nagy wields this inherent inspiration within her music. This coupled with her life as a mother of three and a devoted wife all while maintaining the tenacity and grit to pursue her dreams creates the fabric of her feel-good new album, Sweetlove.
Raised in Kinsale, Ireland, Nagy moved to the U.S. when she was seven-years-old. Moving and living in various places as a kid became a theme for the artist, but through these transitions, Nagy would visit her grandparents’ farm in County Galway for eight weeks at a time each summer, ensuring her Irish roots remained strong.
Experiencing many vastly different landscapes and cultures naturally sparked her intrigue with songwriting and exploring the human condition. Through living and growing in multiple locations throughout her life, she branded her music as “Gypsy Lady,” which would be the title of her first EP. Listeners will often hear Celtic influence combined with her love of folk and country in her songs.
Sweetlove was recorded over a three year period at three studios, which include Round Table Studios, The Lodge, and a friend’s home studio, all with producer and multi-instrumentalist Austin Johnson at the helm. Johnson has largely been Nagy’s producer for the past seven years, and also plays guitar, mandolin, banjo and provides vocal harmonies on the album.
Nagy’s songs have been featured on Netflix, CBS, Amazon Prime, and Bravo TV, and she also took part in writing workshops hosted by Liz Rose Studios in Nashville, which were affiliated with the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), further expanding her network and music.
We got the chance to chat with Nagy about her new album, her unique nomadic upbringing, and much more.
You had a unique upbringing living in various places. Can you talk about that and how it influenced you as an artist?
I was born in Lafayette, Indiana, but moved to Ireland when I was six-weeks-old and lived there until I was seven. I feel more Irish raised. I spent a full eight weeks of every summer on my grandparents farm in Galway and visiting Dublin. I also have lived in Puerto Rico, Granada, Spain, Seattle, Chicago, and just moved around a lot as a kid, which is why I call my brand “Gypsy Lady” — that was the name of my first EP.
Did you have music in your life from family or friends growing up? Who got you into songwriting?
No music creators in my family, but lots of music lovers. I was the only one interested in performing. I kind of just found songwriting, and knew I wanted to do it, but didn’t really go for it until seven years ago in 2017. I wanted to study music in college, but ended up with an Accounting degree instead. I went to work for a large consulting firm for 12 years and resigned when I started my family. I fell back in love with music as I started teaching my kids piano, so I started writing again, and decided to go for it.
When did you get your first guitar and what kind was it?
I got my first guitar when I was 23, and my parents got it for me. It was a Simon and Patrick acoustic, and I’ve written most songs with it.
Do you remember your first few shows as a lead singer? What was that experience like for you?
I was very blessed that a venue here in Indy — The Jazz Kitchen — gave me my first break to have a ticketed show. It sold out, and now I have two or three shows there a year. I am still learning how to be a lead singer, and I also love having my band up there with me. I love connecting with the audience, as it’s an art I see others do so well, and I am still working on it myself.
So your new album, Sweetlove, came out last month. Are there any common themes, messages, or motifs that thread through the new album?
I am a woman, a wife, and a mother looking to carve out a unique path in this music industry. I’m also a dreamer, and hope to inspire other dreamers to go for it. My music and songwriting helps me to make sense of my feelings, as I write about themes of motherhood, romantic relationships, and the endurance and grit it takes to carry on and make room for all parts of my life. I am feminine, but tough — and not afraid to show either side.
Tell me about your July single and opening track, “Work is My Prayer.” What’s the influence and backstory behind it?
This is a song inspired by my grandmother whose farm I used to stay at in Ireland each summer. She was a very humble, loving and religious lady, and being a mother and homemaker was her joy. She always had a cup of tea and fresh baked apple pie ready for me and anyone else who knocked at her door. I aimed for a little bluegrass Dolly vibe for this song.
What are a few tracks on the album that may mean the most to you?
“Keeps Getting Better” is a fun, light-hearted romantic track inspired by love and marriage. “Sweet Fantasy” is a more emotive song where I reflect on the struggle of pursuing my dream of music or just letting it go and being happy with all that I already have. “Country Home” has an easy listening vibe inspired by my fondness of my family’s cabin in the country which we no longer own. It holds lots of memories with my parents and my own kids there.
Do you find determining the order of songs on the album to be a challenge, and how important is that to you? Tell me about this process.
YES! It’s so hard. Even though this is a culture of singles, I really want this album to be listened to as an album. I really thought about the order and flow of these songs thoroughly. I repositioned them over and over again, and re-listed to my playlist over and over again until I got it right.
What has been your favorite/the most rewarding part of making this album?
Seeing it come together slowly over the past three year, and becoming more comfortable with creating and producing as the songs developed. Being able to grow as a musician and as an artist, and getting more comfortable in the studio to express my ideas and feelings.
What are a few pinnacle moments for you as an artist?
Getting sync placements on Netflix, Amazon Prime, CBS and Bravo TV, as I learned how to write for sync, pitch, and network to get my songs placed. It was especially amazing to have my song “Gypsy Lady” played over a scene of Galway, Ireland.
Another one is being accepted to a writing workshop in Nashville hosted by Liz Rose Studios in affiliation with NSAI. I joined writing sessions, visited Warner Music, BMI, and met with session writers.
Lastly would be releasing my first EP, Gypsy Lady. I had no clue what I was doing. I had zero experience in being in a band or studio. But I figured it out, branded myself, found an audience, booked a show, pulled together an amazing band (most are still with me) and wrote songs that were important to me at that time.
What does success as a songwriter and musician mean to you?
I love writing and recording music. I love sharing these with an audience that hopefully enjoys them too. I also want my music to be shared more broadly. I would love to book short tours to promote and grow my audience. I want to play festivals and host opening acts where there is an established audience. I enjoy hard work & competition, but I also want to keep my sense of joy in music.
