TOO LOUDKatie Stelmanis is Often DisappointedPublished January, 2009
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Photo by Michael Otero
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In school I was never afraid of the jocks or the pretty kids because I knew that they’d never amount to anything. I was always scared of the drama kids and nerds, because they weren’t afraid of anything. Every nerd kid I knew then is now either a politician or a rich web designer or in Hot Chip. While you were busy trying to play sport or learning how to smoke weed, Katie Stelmanis was taking vocal lessons and probably writing an opera when she was 12.
The last time I saw her play, it was in front of 300 hardcore punks who couldn’t deal with it. She was singing so gracefully that I started to blush, and she was still laughing in everyone’s face. Katie isn’t afraid of anything. Her first album is called Join Us, and I would really like to. It is full of the deepest and most punishing vocal ranges, paeans to things I will never be able to understand, and this rippling poise that forces me to re-evaluate everything I’ve ever done in my (I’ve now realised) pathetic life. Vice: You play really serious music, but you seem like a total joker.
Katie Stelmanis: I guess I can’t really talk about my music in a serious way because then it becomes cheesy. I mean, you have this really intense voice on stage and then between songs you’re just cracking wise.
I used to perform without much stage banter, and I found that it isolated us from the crowd. It was a lot for people to take in at once. I like to try and break up the intensity to make it seem more accessible. It’s a conscious effort. How would you prefer people get into your music then?
Eventually, I want the performance to be a massive visual spectacle where I wouldn’t need as much banter. Who is your ideal listener?
I only want to know about people who LOVE my stuff, I don’t care about people who are mediocre about it. I also like it when people detest my stuff too—I hate anything mediocre. As long as people are responsive I don’t care who they are. Have you read any bad reviews?
Yeah, really bad ones. At first I’m always disappointed, but you have to learn to appreciate them. Most bad reviews focus on my voice and how it’s too loud. That’s the best part!
The worst one was from Chart Magazine who basically said I was the worst act they had seen in a while, and that I would never find success. They said things like, “I didn’t like it and I could tell the people around me were off about it too”. It was really harsh. But the thing about that show was that I thought it was great, and the audience totally seemed into it, so eff Chart.
MIKE HALIECHUK The album Join Us is out now on Blocks Recording Club. A split seven-inch with Fucked Up is also out now on Matador. myspace.com/katiestelmanis
See all articles by this contributor Anonymous, on Jun 10, 2009 wrote:
omg. you must check out the believe me video --- I am obsessed with stelmanis | | Anonymous, on Feb 16, 2009 wrote:
this chick looks like she oozes obnoxious smarm, much like every twerp hanging out at sneaky dee’s or manic coffee or some such hell hole. couldn’t care if i ever hear her music. | | Anonymous, on Feb 14, 2009 wrote:
i can’t stop listening to believe me. wtf? | | Anonymous, on Feb 13, 2009 wrote:
i could go for a gin and tonic right about now. no, make that five of them. | | Anonymous, on Feb 13, 2009 wrote:
i’m often disappointed in music articles, but this is not one of them | | Anonymous, on Feb 12, 2009 wrote:
vice has never been my music discovery tool, but this chick rules. nice find. | |
| anonymouse, on Feb 12, 2009 wrote:
what? you haven’t heard of the pigeon hold? it’s like a half-nelson but you shit on the guy’s shoulder before you let him up. | | Anonymous, on Feb 11, 2009 wrote:
pigeon held? dude, you are my fucking hero and i doubt you even realize why. | | Anonymous, on Feb 11, 2009 wrote:
The thing about artists like her that have a really different, distinct sound is that they kind of get pigeon held to that style, which makes all their stuff sound the same. I mean, if you listen to one of your songs you have basically heard them all. no versatility | |
| sam i am, on Feb 11, 2009 wrote:
her voice makes me feel like i have to shit. bowel-rattling. | |
| shep, on Feb 11, 2009 wrote:
hot damn. every song on her myspace fucking slays. believe me is so good i want to shoot myself. | | Anonymous, on Feb 11, 2009 wrote:
looks like a ratty bitch. NEXT. | |
| gnarwhal, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
when i see a cute dork like this i wonder what her high score is on galaga. | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
stelmanis is one hot babe. | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
great to see some stelmania on here! This girl is going places - watch out! | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
Meh, her stuff is alright. Lots of repetition though... | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
ela gosta de saco grande por que quando balança enche o cu de terra | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
my wife is there. | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
does anyone know if she’ll be playing more than the show on the 20th at sxsw? | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
She almost has too much vibrato, which is why i can’t take antony and the johnsons no matter how many times i hear how awesome they are. KS holds back just enough to make it dramatic but not over the top like Antony. | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
when this dan deacon melodi-glitch stuff fades back into obscurity, i think katie will hang around because unlike the rest of that camp, she can actually sing. | |
| poozer, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
nice seeing katie in vice. her video for "join us" has been getting a lot spins from me. if you like superjail, it’s sorta kinda like that but dare i say more trippy? | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
The voice is unique and powerful, but the words behind it are what struck my heart. | | Anonymous, on Feb 10, 2009 wrote:
yeah, jocks suck and nerds are totally cool! Totally refreshing vibe dude! Huey Lewis "Sorry guys, you’re just too damn loud!!!!"
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| oatmeal, on Feb 9, 2009 wrote:
"I only want to know about people who LOVE my stuff, I don’t care about people who are mediocre about it. I also like it when people detest my stuff too—I hate anything mediocre. As long as people are responsive I don’t care who they are." I can totally get behind this statement! I would especially want to hear from the people who HATE her music, because I’d imagine we’d have a lively and spirited conversations that would spin off into other topics like nostalgia, feminism, and what planets we are on, respectively. (Sometimes when you’re in agreement with people it can be a little boring.) | | Anonymous, on Feb 8, 2009 wrote:
LOVE IT. how can I get this album??? | | Anonymous, on Feb 5, 2009 wrote:
this chick really showed all those jocks and pretty people!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Anonymous, on Feb 4, 2009 wrote:
"At school I was never afraid of the jocks or the pretty kids because i knew they would never amount to anything" Wow! someone sounds a bit like a prick. I mean, considering now you do something so god awful important as write for vice magazine. GEt off your high horse. I like this magazine, but I hate when they substitute different different perspectives with their own self masturbating egos. Fuck off | | Anonymous, on Jan 23, 2009 wrote:
amazing voice and hot to boot! | | Anonymous, on Jan 23, 2009 wrote:
if you still use the term "jock" your a fucking queef. we all know that its impossible to play "sport" and not be a cocksucker. | | | Next 30 comments > |
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