“If you want to know about some things that bring me back to love – it’s the earth, it’s the ocean, it’s the sun…” – Rebirth Dreaming
Kate Leopold is an Australian singer-songwriter – an indie folk artist who describes her music as ‘earthy indie acoustic folk with heart’. An experienced musician and stage performer, Kate has been sharing her music with live audiences since 2007, perhaps most notably as front woman of Leopold’s treat, who became one of the Gold Coast’s most loved and highly sought after bands. in their 9 years of playing together, Leopold’s Treat were awarded ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ (GCMA, 2016) and featured at prominent events and festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest, Bleach Festival, Commonwealth Games and Festival of Small Halls. They cultivated their own unique style of bespoke house concerts and events which have continued under the banner of Kate Leopold Music.
Kate has been described as a ‘heart-centred musician’ and ‘an indie folk artist to seek out’ offering a unique new sound in Australian folk music, uniting dynamic rhythms, soul-evoking vocals and bright, acoustic melodies. Audiences are taken on a captivating journey through the dark depths and the soaring heights of the human emotional experience. Her sound is reflective and emotive, where every part of a listener’s experience is welcome and the human potential for connection through song is intimately tangible.
As an environmental scientist, nature lover and passionate ambassador for Mother Earth, Kates lyrics are never far from revealing where her true heart lies. Her seemingly effortless song writing style weaves stories, dreamings and simple truths with an innocent yet potent faith in humanity, which vicariously cultivates a deepened sense of connection to ourselves, to nature and to each other.
Since her early years, Kate has sought comfort in music and been inspired by a wide spectrum of artists and genres with songs containing stories, messages and mantra that energise, uplift, heal and inspire being among those closest to heart. Whilst introverted by nature, Kate has been fortified with a strength to share her music through listening to potent artists with a message to share, notably Xavier Rudd, Rising Appalachia and Trevor Hall. Her sound has been likened to a cross hash of Tracey Chapman and Australian folk band the Waifs, with a dash of storytelling.
Rebirth Dreaming
Kate’s more solo trajectory has been a recent emergence, with the release of her most recent body of work, an 8-track album titled Rebirth Dreaming in early 2021, which was largely inspired by her late young friend Angus and showcases a selection of songs that Kate had written over the four years prior to recording. Her musical journey continues to be a collaborative exploration in sound and harmony, with band members of Leopold’s Treat featuring on the album, in addition to a selection of dear friends including her dear soul sister Julie Hayes. The album also features world renowned Bobby Alu on drums and percussion and was predominantly recorded at Hideaway Studio in northern NSW by Aria Award winning producer Jordan Power (Kasey Chambers, Xavier Rudd). In addition, Kate included a special feature track on the album called ‘Embrace Divine’, which was recorded in northern NSW with producer Avishai Barnatan (Peia) at his home studio, with world music contemporary Shai Shriki who contributed musical direction and performed Calabash, mandola, bass guitar on the track.
The cover art for the Rebirth Dreaming album was painted by friend and local Gold Coast artist Jazz Watson (the Embodiment Artist). The theme was inspired by the concept of a regenerating mama tree as the central piece, with Mt Wollumbin in the background and mother and child sitting by the fire. Says Kate “The artwork channelled inspiration from the life story of Angus Anguri ‘earthkeeper’, who inspired the album’s title song through an artwork of his own by the same name. Angus was an inspiration to many and lives on always, dancing and smiling, in our hearts”.
The album recording was partly supported by a generous Regional Arts Development Fund Grant, one of a number of grants Kate has gratefully received over the years to support release and recording of her music.
Music to Heal
Kate’s heart’s passion lies in creating musical journeys, through concerts, experiences and events to uplift, inspire, and to remind us that we help make the world a better, safer place by treading lightly, being kind and allowing ourselves to shine – and supporting others in doing the same.
Within the scope of her earthy indie acoustic folk music venture, Kate is continually weaving and collaborating in creations that harness the healing power of music through experiences that connect people with their voices and empower them to cultivate greater freedom of authentic expression, which is having a potent ripple effect within her local community. She says, “I want to support and empower people who might be seeking to create change either within themselves or in the world – through connecting with their courageous voices – as a vessel for empowerment in sharing their own unique medicine, whether it be through art, music, healing, teaching, creating communities or just being who they are in the world. A perfectly timed smile can change the course of a lifetime – and so can finding yourself effortlessly singing in a safe, guided, unguarded, uninhibited moment – where a group of strangers can quickly become the closest of friends through a shared experience”.
Get Involved
Kate is currently hosting a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the recording of her song “I turn myself to healing”, a song that was channelled by Kate for her own healing and has been received gracefully by her audience and in song circles, voice journeys and workshops. She was originally inspired to share the song after sharing it with a friend who was moving through a life changing experience and found the song profoundly moving.
“Find what it is that makes you shine inside… And move in that direction.”
Notable Performances
Byron Blues Fest.
Bleach Festival
Commonwealth Games 2018
Small Halls – Woodfordia Inc.
