Kate Malanaphy Takes Us Along Their Journey of Self-Awareness, Reflection, and Actualization with “Rock”
Review and photos by: Drey Kereakos, Writer @drey.d.k.
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
If you like what we are doing, please consider supporting us on Patreon, PayPal, or Venmo.
The ability to capture both a vagueness and resonance in one’s words and experience is often easier said than done, and to do so in a way that is individually specific while universally applicable, often is not actualized in the moment. Kate Malanaphy’s “Rock”, takes us along their own respective journey of self-awareness, reflection, and actualization, in a way that as listeners makes us ponder our own. We are all processing various things amidst our day-to-day lives, whether we are actively thinking about it or not, and “Rock” is very much a sonic result of this experience. On Friday May 26th, Kate took to 7th St Entry to perform this record in its entirety alongside four band members, and with support from fellow local acts Greta Ruth, Marvelous, and Trash Date.
Selfishly, I have had the pleasure of seeing Kate perform quite a few times over the years, as I have happened to share several bills with them myself. I can tell you right now, that this show was unlike any of the other shows of theirs I have seen. Up until this point, you would usually find them supporting their vocalization using raw piano arrangements for their solo performances. So, naturally, to have this record begin with Kate and their piano, does feel fitting, like an intentional nod to their roots. Now, what sets both this record, and live experience apart from that though, is just how much more expansion is taking place sonically and instrumentally. Throughout this set, Kate alternated between their keyboard, an acoustic guitar, and singing without playing an instrument. Never in my life have I seen Kate sing without also simultaneously playing another instrument. Their band consisted of two guitarists, a drummer, and bassist for the bulk of the set, however both guitarists also did quite a bit of role switching too, which I found super refreshing to see. As “Rock” was coming together, Kate thought to themself, “what do I want to see when I hear this?” which ultimately resulted in their own physical patchwork being created for the record. Their ability to paint, combined with a collection of thread, bubblewrap, tissue paper, and other miscellaneous materials, resulted in all of their album artwork, which could be seen from either side of the stage during their performance.
Kate and their band successfully played through “Rock” in full, chronologically in fact. From the softness introduced in “On Ice”, to trumpet solos in “Tomorrow”, to near-screaming at the end of “Steven and the Mouse”, to an unexpected Bjork cover encore, Kate Malanaphy’s “Rock” release show had more than enough to offer, and was an incredible display of not only Kate’s creativity, but versatility. Their lyricism in particular, is truly unmatched. From cryptic storytelling, the use of personified metaphors, and setting emotional boundaries while simultaneously pushing creative ones, Kate was able to execute in real time, what was already an incredibly well-crafted record. “Rock” is a well-thought out exploration and authenticity of oneself, a desire for musical collaboration, as well as the embracing of the inevitability that comes with thinking freely.
“Rock” can be streamed on all major platforms, as well as downloaded for free on Bandcamp. You can also find Kate playing guitar, bass, and vocalizing in local bands Keep for Cheap and Fend.
