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The Cult of Kate Nash

By: Richie Frieman

In the past year PensEyeView.com has featured over 200 different artists every 48 hours; rock, pop, rap, country, alternative, bluegrass, blues, jazz, you name it. With that you start to realize why some artists stand out over others. About two months ago, I received UK pop sensation, Kate Nash's debut CD "Made Of Bricks" and was hooked from the start. Songs like, Foundations, Merry Happy, Pumpkin Soup and yes, even Dickhead were added to my favorites. A few hundred spins later and hours of on-line searches for everything Kate Nash, I was blown away to see the cult-like appeal Nash's infectious sound has had on today's music scene. This past Friday night, April 18th at the Recher Theatre in Towson, Maryland, I got to witness first hand why Nash continues to sell out venues on both sides of the pond.

I live around the Towson area and have been to the venue dozens of times. I know the crowds they pull and anticipated a good turnout. To say this was a "good" turnout is a complete understatement. Not only was the placed packed, but the vibe emanating from the fans could be felt from the parking lot. Walking from the car to inside the venue, the array of fans stretched all points of the musical spectrum. You had the artsy music-heads; the ones always on top of the trends and new artists. The college kids that love to say they found an artist first. And to my surprise, an even younger collection of preteen to young teen-"Generation Now-ers" who've had this concert posted on their MySpace pages for weeks.



When I cover shows, I always pay special attention to the fans; their personalities, conversations and interactions with one another. Nash's fans apparently belong to a pop-culture click that consists of an energetic, intelligent, lively cast. The fans packed together-leaning over one another for the closest spot to the stage as possible. I looked down to check my phone and by the time I looked up, ten more people stood in front of me. It seems every step I took, more and more fans filled the Recher Theatre. The crowd got so deep I had to have a bouncer make way for me to get to the photo section, in front of the stage.

As I stood between the stage and the guard rails, waiting for the show to start I couldn't help but eavesdrop on some of her young fans, crowded behind me. One was texting out loud to her friend, "OMG... the show is going to start any minute!!!" Another girl chatted anxiously with her boyfriend as they snuggled up against one another. Curious as I am, I asked, "Why do you like Kate Nash so much?"

The first girl: "She's real!"

The second girl: "She's so cute too!"

The boyfriend had a more intellectual response: "She's not this like manufactured-machine pop, fake stuff."

I wanted to delve further into their minds but our conversation was stopped short due to someone yelling "Kaaaaaaate!" which got the crowd's attention. Since the show was starting soon, I thought it would be fun to document the next several minutes.

10:15: Five minutes to show time. Shortly after the previous shout, another young fan screams "We love you Kate!" as the crowd gets restless.

10:17: Not to be outdone, another eager fan yells, "Where are you Kate?"

10:18: After a few rounds of "Ask, him... No you ask him... No you!" Two (different) girls behind me offer $8 for my photo pass. Sweet, but I kindly decline.

10:21: A minute late. One by one, people yell for Kate.

10:23: I joke with the bouncer that by starting late "you'll piss these people off, man". Arms crossed, he looks out at the squeaky clean, youngsters gathered in front of him, then back at me... I smile. He does not. I look away in embarrassment.

10:25: A large neon sign hanging above the drum set, reading "Kate Nash" is illuminated in bright pink. The crowd flips out!



10:26: "Stop In the Name of Love" comes over the stereo and the fans sing along in unison, as they dance in place. I have to admit I got kind of caught up in it as well.

10:28: Then finally, Kate Nash takes the stage. Pandemonium ensues.

10:29: Kate grabs her guitar and tells the fans she is going to do an acoustic set tonight because, "... well, I want to." Followed by a sweet and familiar laugh. The crowd thinks this is a splendid idea. It's about this time I realize Kate could say she is going to play the bongos with her feet and they would love it.

10:30: Kate begins her first song. The fans sing along to every word, dancing and swaying side to side.

10:34: Kate ends the first song to a resounding applause. A twenty-something guy in the front row, shouts, "You're so cute!" Still jumping up and down, I sensed he was waiting all night to tell her his true feelings. Kate looks at him and says, "Aw, thanks. You're cute too." I thought the guy was going to lose it right then and there.

It's exchanges like this, that has turned "Kate Nash-UK sensation" into "Kate Nash-global sensation". Throughout the concert, Kate would hop between keyboard and guitar. In between she would tell the fans something about her day or about the album or bring up a funny story. The fans hung on every word, mesmerized by her infectious and engaging personality. Her fans have read and heard everything about Kate Nash. She knows this as well and when she does tell a story, she treats her fans like they were there with her. It's not only funny or interesting because she witnessed it but because she decided to let them in on the joke. Now, I get it... I get why the love her.



She once said, "... people are getting fed up with things they can't relate to and people who seem out of reach. I'll never be out of reach." Nash has stayed true to her word. With sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and even PEV, artists have tons of avenues that allow them to communicate directly with their fans. Some don't take full advantage of this, others, like Nash, use this accessibility in their favor. Not out of necessity though, but out of gratitude. She is not only likeable but extremely relatable. For the adult fans she personifies quality pop music in a funky, alternative package; an indie artist that you know will keep her roots. For the young fans she represents that something they are looking for in an artist. That something is the quality that other "pop stars" showed potential of having but due to their own greed, fame and pathetic vices, let their fans down. Nash refuses to do so.

I left relieved that the artist I just witnessed was even better than the voice on the CD I played to death. "Made Of Bricks" is synonymous with Nash's road to success; she's been through it all. She's tough, sturdy, proud and elegant. And when she comes to your town, by a bag of tickets. Give them to your friends, your family, their friends, their family and prepare to join the biggest "cult" in music today. Cheers!