Meet Kate Cosentino | Artist & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate Cosentino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised by two go-getter parents in Kansas City. Between the two of them, you’d find so much heart and an endless supply of optimism, adventure, & zest for life. (Mixed with a bit of workaholism) From them, I learned to believe in myself and they really affirmed my voice as an artist and musician. They also passed on the workaholic gene so I’ve had to learn (as they are too) not to burn myself out trying so hard to achieve my goals. Growing up in Kansas City hugely influenced me as a businesswoman and musician. To the former, I learned how to put on a show as well as a lot about what it does for a business and artist through performances at Nica’s (now Beignet in the River Market), Take Five Coffee Bar & the annual Festa Italiana in Zona Rosa. The jazz scene and indie/alt music scene in Kansas City hugely influenced my sound and my love for music. Even just local creatives constantly inspired me whether it was one of my friends incredible music projects or the great Peggy Noland’s fashion design work which inspired me to design my own guitar straps. KC is filled with creative, vibrant, and, most of all, kind people.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was in first grade, I was obsessed with two things: Guitar Hero 3 and Hannah Montanna. So naturally, I wanted to be a rock star. This led to me picking up a guitar and playing until my 7-year-old fingers bled. Gradually I got more into music, started voice lessons, and one day was gifted a Regina Spektor CD (by the wonderful Jaqueline Simmons – my voice teacher) The moment I heard her music that made me feel so deeply and was unapologetically unique I knew I had to write music that moved people. Moved people to dance when times are good. Moved people to cry to get through hard times. Moved people to think from new perspectives. My music is a hodgepodge of nerdy, witty lyrics about social issues I care about or relationships (good and bad, mine or other) mixed with my jazz guitar skills. I’m a huge movie buff so I love writing from a third-person perspective to create somewhat of a movie people can hear. Or I write in the first person and make fun of myself. In my world, music is what bonds us over our shared human experiences and that connection is what I’m constantly chasing (Oops -getting a little too human here).

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My second passion after music is being a total tour guide anywhere I go. If I were to take you around Kansas City, our day would look like this: First, we journey through my suburban childhood streets in Overland Park and check out the Praire Fire Museum (even if it’s only for the stunning, colorful architecture) Then we’d probably head downtown and snag coffee and a snack at one of the thousand coffee shops I love like Messenger Coffee Co. Walk and shop around the Plaza (especially in the winter when the Christmas lights are up) then check out the Nelson Atkins museum of art. Next, we head downtown to the crossroads district and get Grinders pizza for lunch. That place is my go-to for a great slice, great tots, and my favorite kind of grungy atmosphere. From there we’d hop on the new streetcar and take every stop – Power & Light District for great bars and live music, the public library, the river market for beignets, Crown Center for ice skating, and finally Union Station. Watch the sunset from the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Perfection. I’ll spare you my novel of a Kansas City restaurant guide.

If we’re talking Nashville (where I currently live) it’s really simple and mostly about eating so pack an extra stomach – we’re hiking fort Negley. Skyline picture and view. Done. Coffee is essential to prepare us for the tourism we are about to endure- currently a fan of the Loading Dock, Sump, or Fido. We’re getting breakfast tacos at Lady Bird Tacos in 12 South and taking a quick stroll past the murals and bachelorettes. I’d probably show you my alma mater Belmont because I’m a #proudbruin. Then I’d probably drive you down music row, the Gulch, and Broadway because I don’t want to get out of the car into that crowd. Eat hot chicken, Jenis Ice cream, and Five Daughters Donuts….scratch that. in one day that might kill you. Then, my favorite thing to do is go roller skate by Nissan Stadium or at the Brentwood Skate Center

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Everyone I’ve ever known! Truly! The biggest shoutout has to go to my parents, Steve & Lea Cosentino. Their positivity and drive to love and serve the people around them are two qualities they instilled in me and have brought so much into my life. But also, they’ve always believed in my music. Even when I doubt myself – they push me. That honestly goes for my whole, big Italian family. Also, my voice teacher and dear friend Jaqueline Simmons. She is a mentor, therapist, guide, wonder woman who helped me find my voice in many ways.

Website: www.katecosentino.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/katemcosentino

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-c-2940b7132/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/katemcosentino

Facebook: www.facebook.com/katecosentinomusic

Youtube: www.youtube.com/k8thegreat13

Other: www.tiktok.com/@katemcosentino https://open.spotify.com/artist/3J9oPSOtWiwtitCxyKWD1v?si=rYYLTwyyTH20CpaDh4PWYg Here are all my other links in one place: https://linktr.ee/KateCosentino

Image Credits
The first photo / live photos in the jean jacket are Kenzie Leigh Photography @kenzie.leigh.jpg The blue background photos are Jordan Altergott / Altr.Works @jordanaltergott @altr.works Album art for Parking Lot Pennies by Hailey Miller & Maisie Kane Starving for Love Artwork by Claire Joyce