We spoke with Katlin about his musical upbringing, the evolution of his songwriting and what festivals like Harvest Sun mean to him.
What inspired you to start making music?
Growing up, my family did a lot of camping, and every evening we'd gather around the campfire and sing together. We played a lot of classic folk songs, and I really got into learning the different vocal harmony parts in these songs. I also studied piano, but much preferred exploring the keyboard by ear than reading what was on the sheet. Eventually, I got a guitar from a garage sale down the street and immediately became fascinated with learning to play the music being played around me and began writing around the age of 12.
You’ve been working on some new music, what can you tell me about these upcoming new songs?
I've got a few songs on the way that were recorded this spring in Vancouver. I'm really grateful I got the chance to work in the studio with two very talented friends, Darren Hebner and Anthony Cenerini. They definitely pushed me to explore new sounds, and these tunes will be a bit louder and more rock-driven than my last record, Little Mersey.
Also coming down the pipeline is a new single and video! The single was written while on Instagram live and recorded in Oslo, Norway. While making my way to Oslo to finish the track, I was able to schedule an 8-hour layover in Iceland! Not wanting to waste the opportunity, I connected with some talented filmmakers and shot the music video during this layover. It was very hectic but we're really pleased with the result.
Groups like Bon Iver, Tallest Man on Earth, and Frightened Rabbit have been a big influence on my music in the last 8-10 years, but I'm constantly listening to new bands and working through their songwriting and production process. I tend to lean towards personal story-driven lyrics and can thank a lot of wonderful experiences and people for inspiration in that department. My last EP, Little Mersey, centred around returning to the UK and realizing the effect my time there during my early twenties had on me. Looking forward, I've been experimenting with writing less about the past and more about the present and future.
Talk about Harvest Sun a bit – why do you think a festival like that is important to have in Manitoba?
I come from a long line of farmers in Western Manitoba, and Harvest Sun makes me think of two things: my home and my family. While I currently live in Winnipeg, I also relish in any opportunity to get outside the city and connect with the things that make Manitoba so unique: the wonderful communities like Kelwood, the local produce, and the wide-open prairie sky. I love the diverse range of acts that Harvest Sun curates from the area, and I consider myself fortunate to share this weekend with my friends and family.
For anyone who hasn’t seen you perform yet, what can people expect when they catch your set at Harvest Sun?
Honest songs about traveling for love, and a love of traveling. I tend to sing about past experiences: some happy, some sad, but all with a positive outlook. I hope to use my stage time at Harvest Sun to slow down my set a little and let people into the stories and inspirations behind my music.
What are you most excited about in regard to playing Harvest Sun?
This might be cliché, but I'm very excited to see Al Simmons. A lot of his music was quintessential music of my childhood and represents how my interest in music and the arts began. I'm also looking forward to sharing the stage with good friends from all over Manitoba and spending some quality time with my family at the festival.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Right now, I'm working towards the release of the next few songs, which are currently in the final stages of mixing. Towards the rest of 2018, I'll be playing a few other local festivals and preparing to hit the road in early 2019!
Catch Okay Mann at The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 17 - 19th. Tickets are still available but they're going fast!
Follow Okay Mann on Facebook, Instagram and his official website. Okay Mann's latest EP, Little Mersey is available on Spotify.
Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on August 14th, as Okay Mann takes over our account for the day!
Janet Adamana is the Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Sound, Phrase & Fury Magazine - a Winnipeg-based digital publication dedicated to promoting independent artists and industry professionals from all over the world. More than just about inciting hype, she interviews/writes to capture an artists’ essence and their greatest passions to ignite meaningful connections between fans and really great bands.