Irish singer-songwriter KTG – aka Katie Gallagher – prepares to release her debut mini-album, Searching For Magpies, on September 26th (2019) via Beardfire Music.

Opening with the instantly infectious Don’t Tell My Mother, KTG’s soft, folk-tinged vocals soar effortlessly over the vibrant musicality, reminding us immediately of the likes of Laura Marling or Wallis Bird. Throughout the mini-album, KTG combines modern folk, pop and even country-tinged sensibilities to create a sound that is both playful and poignant. Upcoming single Strawberries feels as though it could have come straight out of KT Tunstall’s back catalogue, as the folk-pop melodies mix with funk-infused guitars, creating something undeniably feel-good and addictive. Talking about the mini-album, KTG elaborates,

the album is based on the old wives tale for Magpies (one for sorrow, two for joy etc.) each track relates to one of the lines in the rhyme. It was inspired by my fascination for magpies and how paranoid I get when I only see one magpie by itself.”

KTG talks about her new album.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with KTG about her latest release, challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

Well thank you so much for having me I really appreciate the time! So my name is Katie Gallagher but I perform under KTG. I am a 22 year old singer songwriter from Longford, Ireland. I have been writing since I was very young and always used songwriting as a music therapy of sorts. I have been performing professionally for four years, touring all of Ireland and some dates in the UK. I am also a newly qualified music teacher so my life literally revolves around music performance and creation. It is this involvement with music education that opens me to lots of genres and styles and I would hope that this comes through in my music – I try to stick with folk and something! 

What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?

I was never good at sports – it was actually embarrassing how bad I was, so my family always encouraged me to find another outlet and from the age of five I played the piano and the guitar from the age of ten. I use to be obsessed with journaling and having diaries but found them really unproductive but when I started the shift to songwriting I saw that it was a really good way to deal with the experiences I was going through, good and bad. It was also really good for reminding myself of different experiences. For example every time I play one of my songs “Get Your Story Straight”, even though it is about a topic that is unfortunate, infidelity, I get this rush of self confidence.  And then in terms of driving myself to put it out into the public, I adore when people come up to me and tell me what they thought of when they heard the song or that the song helped them through an experience of their own! Its mad to think that a piece of music and a story can relate and link a lot of people in a room together! 

Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?

Being a music teacher I have to be educated in lots of different genres and styles and I think that has come through in my music… I hope anyway! I adore One Republic and they are a huge inspiration of mine. Also Lewis Capaldi, Taylor Swift, Gabrielle Aplin, George Ezra but also The Black Keys, Paramore, Dolly Parton, Stormzy, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. My Spotify profile looks like five different people run it when really I try to find influences from all artists! My taste hasn’t changed so much as it has expanded! My students have introduced me to so many new musical styles and genres and I just want to appreciate them and try to draw inspiration from them all! 

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

With this song myself and the team at Beardfire were trying to create a song that is totally KTG. We wanted a bop but also one that mirrored the lyrics and the melancholic story. I really wanted the song to mirror the naivity of second chances and going back to a person who once loved you, in the hopes that they would change for the better and that you would too. And I hope we accomplished that! 

What was the last song you listened to?

The last song I listened to was Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks! An ultimate car song – windows down, radio as loud as it can go – nothing better! 

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

There is a magic to CDs and Vinyls! Of course we are in the world of Spotify and digital but I think the fact you can hold the finished product of someone’s hard work in your hand is definitely one of the best ways to appreciate music! 

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

To be honest they are all great but Spotify was my first streaming site to use and the first I understood so I never really left it!

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?

The challenge, I find, is getting noticed in the first place! There are so many people trying to get their music out there! But I have not come into this industry blindly I am prepared to work really hard so I can connect with new and current fans alike! 

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?

Well you can follow me on my official website www.ktgmusic.org where all my other socials are linked as well as my weekly blog – The Libra’s Log! Also I try to share new music I believe in on my Instagram stories (@ktg_music_ire)

Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?

Thank you so much for finding time for me and I really appreciate it! And may you always see two magpies instead of one!