Kat Cunning Talks New Single ‘Heart of Gold’: An Interview with the Queer, Non-Binary Artist
The Greek American, queer, and non-binary artist’s career spans Broadway, music, TV, and film, including an upcoming role in the film “On Swift Horses” with Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar Jones. Kat made their musical debut with acclaimed singles including “King of Shadow,” “Birds” and most recent single “Bedroom Angel,” receiving praise from publications including Nylon, Teen Vogue, and The New York Times. Having previously embarked on nationwide tours with LP and Verite, Cunning is set to hit the road in 2024 on G FLIP’s Drummer Tour.
Co-written with Tracy Le and Ryan Hughes, “Heart of Gold” is a perspective-altering track about the superpower of hope and compassion without martyrdom, empathy, and self-respect. The track begins with a stunning piano-led melody that reflects the slow burn to enlightenment and a powerhouse rhythmic exploration. Cunning’s delicate vocals infuse each progression with an aching hopefulness that fully encapsulates the theme and feel of the song. That slow burn eventually launches into fervent-filled beats, cascading harmonies, and lingering atmospheric synth, an altogether unforgettable emotional moment that is a trademark of their songwriting style.
Follow Kat @katcunning
Hi Kat, please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Oregon but I grew up in NY. I identify as nonbinary. I studied at SUNY Purchase Conservatory and graduated to dance professionally before eventually learning to sing on the job in an off-Broadway show. I have been on Broadway, in Cirque du Soleil and I’ve also worked at a strip club. I love telling stories that incite empathy and motivate people to make change for the better. I’m infatuated with the details of how people love and the many ways we create significance in the short span of our individual lives. I love my cat, Julietta. I love learning from heartbreak. I will never pass up a hot tub, my family is given and chosen; I have slept through a plane crash; and I have never gotten a manicure on purpose.
Describe your sound in three words.
Kat doing Kat.
Who are your influences, and why did you choose to make music?
I am compelled to be a storyteller, which, to me, is a conduit for empathy. My first verbal art form was spoken word poetry and I treat songwriting like an opportunity to bring a poem to life. The textures chordally write their own poems and learning how to tell a story in set inside the space of the song is a really exciting challenge for me. I also make music because it scares and excites me to sing. It’s so much more vulnerable while being less explicit than spoken word poetry or acting and I love how songs exist as canvas’ on which people paint their own lives. I believe, the more specifically I tell my story, the more universal it becomes. Songs are a space we step into, and I want to give people like me more space.
Tell us about your new single, “Heart of Gold.”
Heart of Gold is the end of an era; a eulogy of sorts. I am currently writing my debut EP that is much more upbeat, dancy but still dark- but I felt like I had to release this record because it really marks the end of a chapter. As an artist you are always evolving and likely falling out of love with who you were before to step into new skin, but I truly spent the first chapter of my career learning how to sing and what sounds I liked. I’m fully independent now and this is one of the last songs I wrote to release that embody the sadness, fear and loss of a transition into new skin. It encompasses the energy of a while project I decided not to release because it doesn’t represent where I am now.
What’s the story behind the song?
I wrote this song in the lowest mental point of my life. It’s about a breakup but it’s also about finding hope in dark places, while grappling with the attachment to unhealthy things. It’s about facing trauma and taking the time it takes to heal. Drawing boundaries lovingly. Really, it’s a very raw portrait of the deepest pain I’ve felt and writing the song gave me the strength to stay on a path of healing.
I wrote it with my dear friend Trace, who helped me through the struggle, and Ryan Huges who I am writing a lot of great songs for a much more up beat project with. You hear drums from queer icon, Crane who is out on tour with Blondeshell, and they’re recorded by another Queer NY transplant who I’m lucky to have known for a long time, Ariel Loh. All the art was made with dance angels (Baylie and McCall Olsen, special thanks to Layne Willis for the space) and chosen family who really helped to create a space for me to give a raw, vulnerable, cathartic performance and really put this chapter of loss and pain to rest.
Can you walk us through your creative process for this single? How did the idea come to life?
Like most of my best ideas it fell out of my mouth like an improv the second I heard the chords. I still have a voice memo of almost the whole song improvised right off the bat. I needed to write it, and the people I worked with held me while I did.
Were there any specific experiences or emotions that fueled the writing and composition of this song?
A breakup. Moving across the country. Getting dropped from a label. Firing a manager. Another breakup. General dissociation around adulting. An international pandemic. The list goes on but everything felt like it was happening at once, and the heart of this song is really a mantra to balance hope with self preservation.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Human connection. I believe the function of art is to incite empathy and to unite people. Even the super fluffy stuff serves a necessary purpose. When I see real people connect to something in themselves or their communities that I was able to inspire or make space for, I am reminded that art is really not a show and tell. I try to be a liaison for what we’re all processing in this unique moment on earth. When I’m able to open that channel enough that the work is necessary to someone, every sacrifice is justified.
What advice would you give to your younger self, and why?
The people who make the rules are sexist bigots. break em.
Eat a sandwich you’re an endomorph and thic is gonna be in.
You can’t be a profit in your hometown.
How would your best friend describe you?
Nerdy. Messy. Generous. The smartest person she knows.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Freedom of expression. Security. The company of dreamers.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Nina Simone. I feel connected to her life path (starting as a classical artist) and her work (both political and otherwise), and her ultimate contempt for an industry that didn’t hold her. I want to know if she would have done anything differently.
Best advice ever given
“You have to learn to get up from the table when love is not being served.”— Nina Simone
Do you support any charities?
Audre Lorde Project, The Trevor Project, GLAAD, PFLAG among others!
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years?
Playing the Superbowl and Madison Square Garden, and receiving my first Oscar.
What do you think of social media?
We have our ups and downnnnnsss. I really dislike TikTok cus I think it played a big part in cheapening music and our expectations of artists. I dislike how the algorithms seem less personal and they shelter us in our own beliefs. But it can do a lot of good when looking for community and it has helped display how truly diverse the world of voices and interests are. If we continued to value art, film and music regardless of social media’s existence, I’d love it.
What’s next for Kat Cunning in 2024?
TOUR WITH GFLIP May 8-15! Finishing my DEBUT EP!! And continuing to love my people and my cat. There are also a couple movies and tv shows in the works I can’t talk about yet, but I’m really looking forward to the release of “On Swift Horses” where I play a really small but really mighty queer character who is so dear to me alongside Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar Jones. I will definitely be doing a run of PRIDE performances, so stay tuned on insta and mailing list for those, and the rest is untold!
Where can we follow you?
@katcunning everywhere but mostly insta! Sign up to the mailing list on my website at Katcunning.com for the rare but specific updates!
Speed Round
Book: Detransition, Baby
Quote: “The body never lies.” Martha Graham
Movie: “House of Pleasures” Bertrand Bonello
Tv Series: Dead Ringers
Favorite Food: tillamook cheddar cheese, steak, pork rinds.
Travel Destination: GREECE!
Sports Team: LOL. I guess LIBERTY cus GAY!
