Arkansas State University’s Fowler Center will present singer/songwriter Kaia Kater in its concert series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31.Kaia draws on her diverse influences in Quebec, the Caribbean and Appalachia, bringing them together to present an exciting musical direction.Known for her prowess as a songwriter and tradition bearer who performs with “the skill of a folk-circuit veteran” as noted by Rolling Stone, the Grenadian-Canadian artist took a decidedly different direction with her third album “Grenades.”What started as a search to discover the roots of her identity became a physical and emotional exploration of history, in particular her paternal ancestry, and has led to bold new heights of imagination and creative expression.
“Kaia Kater’s music is authentic and mesmerizing,” said Dallas Martinez, Fowler Center director. “Fans of folk and bluegrass music will enjoy Kaia’s performance.”She grew up between two worlds: her family’s deep ties to the Canadian folk music scene and the other the years she spent soaking up Appalachian music in West Virginia. Her father grew up in Grenada, fleeing to Canada in 1986 as part of a youth speaker program, after the U.S. invasion. Starting her career early, Kater released her first EP “Old Soul” in 2013 when she was just out of high school. Since then, she has gone on to release two more albums, “Sorrow Bound” in 2015 and “Nine Pin” in 2016.
Her most recent album weaves between hard-hitting songs that touch on social issues like the Black Lives Matter movement and more personal narratives speaking to life and love in the digital age.“Nine Pin” won a Canadian Folk Music Award, a Stingray Rising Star Award, and sent Kater on an 18-month touring journey from Ireland to Iowa, including stops at The Kennedy Center, Hillside Festival and London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush.
In 2021, Kater took part in the Slaight Music Residency at the Canadian Film Center and released a new single, “Parallels” in October.She continues to write music for film, and is working on a full-length album for release this year.
Kater suggests wearing masks during the performance. Fowler Center will have masks and hand sanitizer.All seating is reserved. Individual tickets are $35 and $25 for adults, and $28 and $20 for senior citizens, students, and A-State faculty and staff, and $15 and $10 for A-State students with a current ID. Group discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.
For more information, contact Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, at (870) 972-3471. Tickets may be purchased at the Central Box Office in the First National Bank Arena, 217 Olympic Drive, or by calling (870) 972-ASU1 or toll-free (888) ASU-FANS. Tickets are also available online from the Central Box Office (AState.edu/Tickets).
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