After releasing her single “If I Fall” in February this year, Caitlin Simon aka Baby Cate, went back into her home studio to record her new EP, UFO.
The four-track EP is a timeline of Cate’s childhood into adulthood. “The project as a whole is in chronological order, and I hope people listen to it like that,” Cate explained. “It’s a story of growing up and learning life lessons along the way.”
Tell us about the story of your act
My name is Caitlin, but I go by Baby Cate. I’m a hip hop artist from Boston, and I’ve been writing, producing and engineering music since high school, so about 8 years.
What is the message behind your art?
I guess a message in my ‘UFO’ EP would be loneliness.
Did I always think it would be cool to actually see a UFO?
Yes. But what I’m really referring to is when I was a young kid I was alone a lot of the time, and wondered if there was anyone else out there that I could relate to or be real friends with. It felt like no one wanted to be my friend.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Some sources of inspiration can be a lot of things, and I think I draw from things everyday. I usually try to write about concepts that you don’t typically hear too much of in music, especially hip hop. For ‘UFO’ I definitely thought it was a cool concept to write about metaphorically, but it’s really just drawing from my life growing up.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
We don’t really have similar sounds, but definitely Frank Ocean. I love the way he writes and paints pictures in his lyrics. I think he just puts out classic after classic, ever since Nostalgia, Ultra.
What was the record or artist that changed your life?
I can’t say it’s a record that changed my life exactly, but one that always sticks with me would be ‘A Song For You’ by Donny Hathaway. It’s so beautiful.
Tell us about your upcoming release and how it came about
My new EP ‘UFO’ started with my song ‘If I Fall’ I dropped earlier in the year. Then came ‘FAR’ and I realized I could make a project with the themes I had been writing about. It made sense. I could also visually see the story in my head too.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
Honestly, I could hear a phrase someone said or hear a melody in my head and go to work that way. I play piano and guitar, so sometimes I write a song on an instrument first, then produce and record that way too.
How would you want people to feel while listening to your music?
I would hope they would feel a little different with each song. Hope, wonder, confidence, happiness etc I don’t know, I just want them to keep listening to it.
Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?
I want to make a living making music, chart on Billboard, perform in stadiums and all that good stuff. My ultimate goal one day is to make something that’s timeless.
What inspires your style?
I can’t say what inspires my style, but I like dope sneakers. I’m realizing how much they are as I get more into fashion. Rings are cool too.
Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?
As an independent artist, I think I still have those moments, but I’d always have the sense of regret with me if I didn’t go for my dream because knowing what you want is half the battle. I have to keep going, I feel like I’m just starting to get somewhere.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Enjoy your ‘who is this’ moment. I think Drake actually said that, and he was referring to when he dropped ‘So Far Gone’ and then all eyes were on him. It always just stuck with me.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I personally haven’t given it that much thought, but NFTs are a big deal. Also, I hear a lot of rock elements in hip hop, so I think it might make a comeback to the mainstream.
