“Damage Control” is the second song that has been released from the upcoming EP of the talented singer-songwriter and performing artist Cate Tomlinson. Just like the first release, this song is sure to be a hit for fans of Taylor Swift and Mazzy Star, with lyrics that pull at the heartstrings. We had the pleasure of interviewing Cate Tomlinson, and here’s what she had to say:
Q: Hi Cate! It’s lovely to have you again! What was your inspiration for “Damage Control”? And what does it mean to you?
TOMLINSON: I had a rough end to my 3rd year of college and I was really burned out. When I went home to California for the summer, I kind of went off the radar. I didn’t really see anyone, I stopped responding to people that weren’t my closest friends, and I was just spending time with my family and writing a lot. It took me a couple months to repair myself, and while I was doing that I wrote Damage Control. For me, it’s one of those songs that reminded me why I love songwriting so much. It fulfilled me in a way that no friend or relationship or material thing could have at the time. It acknowledges a shitty experience but the point is that I’m gonna bounce back. So it’s not a pity song. Haha.
Q: And at what point did you feel “Okay. This is great. I’m gonna put this out there!”?
TOMLINSON: I remember I was reading in my backyard when I thought of the guitar melody. I got really excited because I could suddenly hear the whole structure of the song in my head, so I hummed it into my voice memos. I think that first voice memo of me humming the melody is basically how the song turned out, which happens rarely to me. I had the line “I’m still sick to my stomach from spilling my guts out to you” in my notes for a while and built around that. I asked my little brother to record guitar so I could make a demo, and I remember being so relieved when he played it and it sounded exactly like it did in my head. So I would say I knew it was gonna be one I would put out from the beginning.
Q: What drives you to create music?
TOMLINSON: I think I would be writing songs whether or not I was choosing to pursue a career as an artist. It’s the most gratifying thing that I do, and I don’t think I would give up that feeling for anything else. It’s an inherent part of my life.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside making music?
TOMLINSON: I love hiking and being outside, going to the movies, and I’m really tight with my family so I love going out with them.
Q: What’s your all-time favorite song? Why?
TOMLINSON: “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star is probably my all-time favorite at the moment. I think it’s timeless and nostalgic and it reminds me of summer.
Q: What would you like to tell your supporters?
TOMLINSON: Thank you for listening, and also if there’s something you’re scared of doing in life because of how you think others will perceive you, you’re never gonna know how far you’ll get if you don’t try.
Interviewed by Zoey King
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