Kate Turner released MEN LIKE YOU late last year, which she recorded at Rainmaker Studios here in Pasco, Washington. The recording studio is all locally owned and operated, which is partly what drew Turner to it. She is passionate about amplifying local talent, too.
“Joe Smart is featured on this EP, and he’s a Grammy-winning bluegrass player who toured nationally with Mark O’Connor and Zac Brown,” says Turner. “Every musician on the record is local, and I’m proud to continue to feature local musicians. We have some majorly talented musicians here, and I’ve been very lucky to work with them on these projects.”
Kate Turner is performing at the Daisy Ranch Saloon on Saturday, March 1
It’s been almost fifteen years since Kate Turner dropped an album, and her fans are excited to see her back on tour. In 2011, when Turner released Baby No, she was being lauded by news outlets as an upcoming star in the industry. So why did she disappear for over a decade?
The industry was different 15 years ago. I experienced a great deal of trauma as a young female artist. For as many incredible experiences as I had during that time, there were more experiences that were very difficult to navigate. At the local and regional level it was a constant battle. On top of feeling unsafe and enduring an overwhelming amount of sexual harassment — I would be called difficult for attempting to establish boundaries or stand up for myself — which made the grind exhausting in an industry dominated by men looking to take advantage of, and have power over, young women in the industry.
Turner says that her priorities shifted to focusing on her family, but that she “put parts of [herself] on hold” largely because of external pressures. She explains that even though she wanted to get away from the music industry at that time and lean into parenting, she never lost her love for music.
She’s going back to her roots on this tour — Turner started her career as a country singer and jazz singer here at local clubs. She even sang in Freeform, the acoustic jazz choir at CBC in Pasco. Turner’s current project leans heavily toward jazz and R&B, and features her on piano.
“Putting out MEN LIKE YOU is definitely me finishing something I started with country music 20 years ago,” she says. “I’m already leaning into the truest version of myself with a new jazz / R&B album in the works and a renewed energy for art.”
Releasing the new album is more than just closure for Turner; she also wants to impart an important message to others — especially her sons.
I think as women we’re conditioned to believe all of our self worth is wrapped up in how we show up for other people. As a single parent, it’s important to me that my boys see and understand how important it is for people — women, especially — to be more than one thing, if that’s what brings out the best version of themselves. I want my kids to see the value in being brave enough to live life the way you want, to follow your dreams, and frankly, to just keep going.
You can find Kate Turner on social media, see her music videos, discography, tour info, and media coverage on her Linktree: https://linktr.ee/kateturnercountry
Sara Quinn is the Editor-in-Chief at Tumbleweird and serves on the board of Tri-City Area Gaming. She lives with her amazing spouse (Brendan), and her doggos (Jewel and Ruby). Sara makes art, writes stuff, reads A TON, and plays a lot of video games. 💜
