Introducing #212 - Kitty Perrin
Let us introduce you to Norwich singer-songwriter Kitty Perrin - who has just released her relatable debut single ‘The Escapist’.
After sneaking into a Slow Club gig in year six, Perrin found a new hero in Rebecca Lucy Taylor (now SELF ESTEEM). She adored her blunt lyrical style and Perrin’s love for that type of songwriting only increased when Kate Nash and Lily Allen emerged in her teens.
This candid, conversational quality is at the heart of her chirpy, indie-pop debut outing, ‘The Escapist’. It sees Perrin present a part of her personality that she ‘really hates’.
Speaking about the song, she said: “When I was processing a recent break-up, it eventually dawned on me that I was doing my best to avoid taking responsibility for my role in it. I realised that I’d been glad my ex had ended things so badly because it meant that I was the victim. 'The Escapist’ is about that desire I had to feel blameless at the end of that relationship, and our ability to invent false histories for our own peace of mind”.
She took a moment to talk to us about her music.
Hey there Kitty - how are you? So your debut track is finally out - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
I’m really good thank you, this week’s been amazing! To be honest I was slightly terrified in the run up to releasing it because it’s such a personal song and I’ve been sitting with it a while now, but it’s amazing to have people understand and even relate to it. As soon as I wrote it I ran round to my best friend (and drummer’s) house to play it to him and we were so excited. This is the music I’ve always wanted to make so it’s lovely to share something I feel genuinely proud of.
It is called ‘The Escapist’ - what is the meaning behind that?
The song came out of a conversation with a friend, when I was reflecting on the break-up of a recent all-consuming relationship. I’d basically made up my mind that this break up was part of some sort of pattern, where my relationships always ended suddenly with no warning and through no fault of my own. And he pointed out that I was playing the victim.
I realised that I’d been avoiding taking any responsibility for my role in the breakdown of that relationship by reinventing how it had been. On the one hand that title ‘The Escapist’ refers to my trying to escape blame. I also love the illusionary aspect of the word, which is what I felt I’d done by ignoring all the signs the relationship was coming to an end and reinventing a new narrative that suited me.
I think we all have the ability to create false histories and fantasies for our own peace of mind.
You are based in Norwich - what are your favoritethings to do there? Where do you go for adventures?
I am and I love it here so much! I spend a lot of my time here going to local gigs. There is an amazing local music community and some gorgeous venues, including a few repurposed medieval churches. It’s lovely walking into a space like that and knowing you’ll know a few people and meet a lot of likeminded people. The whole cities like that really! It’s got a proper village feel to it in that sense because you can’t really go anywhere without seeing someone you know. Also because practically all my friends are in the same 3 parallel streets. We’ve got a local pub that is a bit like ‘The Winchester’ in ‘Shaun of the Dead.’ Every night we say we’ll go somewhere new but always end up there!
I also spend a lot of time at the coast in North Norfolk. There are all these incredible wild, rural beaches that are usually empty. I’m from Brighton originally so I like being close to the sea but they’re pretty much the opposite of Brighton beach.
One of your earliest experiences of music is sneaking into a Slow Club gig at the age of six. So we have to ask, how did someone so young sneak into a show like that? Also what kind of impact did it have on you as a person?
Year 6! So I would have been 10 or 11. Still pretty young though! I went for the first time with my best friend and her older cousin who introduced me to them. I also have an older sister who used to sneak me in with her mates. I Introduced her to Slow Club so she was kind of obligated to take me along! We’d just go through in a big group I guess normally they didn’t notice, or they did but they didn’t mind. I made my own Slow Club merch that I wore to shows so it would be pretty mean to turn me away! I also made friends with other people at their shows so eventually I could sneak in with them.
I think it gave me a lot of independence early on. It’s quite a strange environment to be in so young but I loved it and I got to be a part of the music scene from a really young age by being there. I also got know lots of other bands through them and form my own tastes quickly. That was an amazing thing to have as a teenager!
Seeing my favourite bands live so young made the whole thing seem less mystical and actually achievable to me.
What are the key influences in your music?
When I first started playing I was listening to a lot of folk. Artists Suzanne Vega and Nick Drake, but also newer artists like Fleet Foxes and First Aid Kit. They had a big influence on the way I sing.
In terms of my song writing, I am really drawn to upfront, honest writing where you feel like you’re finding out a lot about the artist. Lily Allen was a massive influence to me in that sense. Also modern artists like Lucy Dacus and Phoebe Bridgers. I love how they bring everyday observations and conversations into their songs.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened to your music before?
Indie-pop underpinned by a conversational, singer-songwriter style.
