On her second single release, 17 year old Seven Zen (Kate Popham) explores her love of 80s alternative rock and pop. Combining synths with her own blend of classic & current indie rock to convey a social message in a more intimate and subtle story than her usual direct delivery. Recorded in the home studio, Kate plays all instruments except drums, which are played/ recorded by Darryn Harkness (New Telepathics/Loud Ghost) at Tone Exchange.
Being able to see yourself represented in the world around you is powerful, and something that not everyone experiences. Finding a voice, creativity, and the will to fight back during hardship is a universal story to social minorities such as BIPOC, people living in poverty, people who are takatāpui, or are neurodivergent. So we must elevate marginalised voices so that we can feel the euphoria of seeing people like ourselves represented. “I hope that, in sharing a fictionalised version of these hardships, I can speak to people who feel as if their voice is not being heard and reassure them that if they sing loud enough the melodies will let them fly”.
The release is thematically paired with a cover "Running up that Hill" by Kate Bush. “This song speaks to me about gender anxiety in a way perhaps not entirely originally intended by Kate Bush, though the song did play on gender roles and how a couple may understand each other better if they swapped places”.
Kate has been included on the last 5 Play it Strange ‘Who Loves Who’ compilations as a finalist, including 1st place in 2020 with her cover of Reb Fountain’s ‘Hawks and Doves’. She also won the 2020 Northland regional final of Smokefree Rockquest. Kate is currently attending Auckland University, studying a law, Māori, and drama. She hopes to make a difference in the world with advocacy and music.