Cat Tedder has become a standout performer in the Pittsburgh music scene. The North Allegheny senior has been impressing crowds with her incredible vocals and stage presence. She\u2019s released her first original song (another one is on the way), performed the national anthem at major events, and has Broadway in her sights.<\/p>\n
At a Starbucks in Wexford, I talked with her about performing, recording, Broadway aspirations, and her favorite Starbucks drink.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting Out<\/p>\n
Josh: When did you start singing?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cat: Ever since I was a baby. I started in theatre. The national anthem was my first live performance. I was 7. Then I started doing my own two hour sets.\u00a0<\/p>\n
J: Were you nervous?\u00a0<\/p>\n
C: Oh my gosh yes.<\/p>\n
Music Influences<\/p>\n
J: Any musical influences?<\/p>\n
C: I\u2019m a huge Billy Joel fan. All his songs tell so many stories. There\u2019s a lot of emotion. He puts everything into his art.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Performing<\/p>\n
J: You opened for the Clark\u2019s. What was that like?<\/p>\n
C: That was really cool. I met them. They are very kind people. That was the day my song, \u201cAt Ease,\u201d came out as well. It was the perfect way to introduce it to people. It was the first time I sang it live.<\/p>\n
J: No pressure. (laughs)<\/p>\n
C: Yeah. (laughs)<\/p>\n
J: I saw you play at Pittsburgh\u2019s Little Italy Days.\u00a0<\/p>\n
C: That\u2019s right! I grew up in a big Italian family. Listening to Dean Martin, Sinatra, all the time. A lot of my influences come from that. I love the classics.\u00a0<\/p>\n
J: I\u2019m sure the audience appreciated it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
C: I really love when they are into it. I feed off of the audience\u2019s energy. The more I do it, the more comfortable I feel. The first few songs are all about getting warmed up. Then I\u2019m more comfortable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Broadway Dreams<\/p>\n
J: You can really belt it out. Have you ever thought about Broadway?<\/p>\n
C: That\u2019s the goal. Long-term. I really wanna do Wicked. I want to be Elphaba. I hit the high note in that song for the first time in 8th grade. The girl playing Elphaba on Broadway at the time reposted it. It\u2019s been a dream of mine to do Broadway. You have to be really lucky and work hard. I really hope I end up doing that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
J: Would you ever want a full band?<\/p>\n
C: I\u2019ve always been solo. I think having a band is a whole other element. In the long run, I definitely want to. It would elevate the performance I\u2019m sure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
National Anthems<\/p>\n J: You\u2019ve sung the national anthem at major events, including PNC Park.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n C: I love doing it. I was featured on Fox News singing the anthem this past summer. It was great, but I only know 24 hours before I do them. I immediately have to drop everything. It\u2019s nerve wracking, but I love it. I\u2019ll sing in front of 24,000 people. The exposure alone is huge.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n J: What do your friends think of all this?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: They are very nice about it. Very supportive. They send me texts, comment on all of my stuff. I appreciate them a lot.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: What are some of your hobbies besides music?<\/p>\n C: Honestly, it really is just music and songwriting. If I\u2019m not singing and doing covers, I\u2019m writing my own stuff, thinking of other stories I can do, album covers. My mind always goes to creating music.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Do you come from a musical family?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Not at all (laughs). They do not sing. I came out of nowhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: (laughs) So you hit these high notes at home and they were like, \u201cWhat?!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Yeah pretty much. (laughs)<\/p>\n Original Songs<\/p>\n J: How did your original song \u201cAt Ease\u201d come about?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Around freshman year, I wanted to write my own music as a way to differentiate myself. I needed to branch out and do my own stuff and separate myself in my shows. I had the idea of the hook, and I kept revising it. I got it recorded at The Vault.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: I\u2019ve been there! I took a tour.\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Isn\u2019t it amazing?!\u00a0<\/p>\n J: It is!\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Bob McCutcheon is amazing. He really helped guide me and was patient with the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: That must have been a thrill recording there.<\/p>\n C: It was wonderful. And he\u2019s just like the perfect person. It was an honor.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Did you write the lyrics or music first?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: I wrote the lyrics. I\u2019d hum a melody over it. I can hear what I want it to sound like in my head. I communicate that with my voice. I\u2019m working on my second song now. I\u2019m really excited about it. I have the process down. It\u2019s much easier now.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Can you tell me about the new single?<\/p>\n C: I\u2019m getting more of a country pop feel to it\u2014it has a great vibe. I love listening to pop country. This one had that feel to it. It was also recorded at The Vault.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Do you have a favorite song to perform live?<\/p>\n C: \u201cNew York State of Mind\u201d is always my favorite. I visited New York City for my sweet 16. Everytime I sing it I think of New York. It\u2019s challenging but fun once you figure it out. I love that song.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Would you ever want to go on tour?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: That would be incredible. That\u2019s the long-term goal. Truly nothing makes me happier than singing and performing in front of an audience. And writing music. That is my passion. If I could make my living doing that\u2014that is the dream. I understand how difficult that can be to get to that point.\u00a0<\/p>\n Favorite Starbucks Drink<\/p>\n J: Since we are in Starbucks, do you have a favorite drink?!\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Yes! Since it\u2019s Christmas I keep getting the Caramel Br\u00fbl\u00e9e Latte.\u00a0<\/p>\n J: I haven\u2019t had it!\u00a0<\/p>\n C: You have to get it next time! And the Sugar Cookie Latte. That\u2019s good too. Those two are my favorites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n J: Highly recommended?\u00a0<\/p>\n C: Yes! (laughs)<\/p>\n For the latest news on Cat\u2019s upcoming shows, keep up with her on Instagram<\/a>. Listen to her single \u201cAt Ease,\u201d streaming now<\/a>!<\/p>\n Check out last month\u2019s artist of the month article here!<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.<\/p>\n \t\tTags: \t\t\t\t Josh has been writing for Made in PGH since 2018, where he writes about upcoming events. He\u2019s a Point Park University graduate and teaches high school English. In his free time you\u2019ll find him playing guitar and writing new songs.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImage via Cat Tedder<\/a><\/p>\n
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\n\t\t412<\/a>, Artist<\/a>, band<\/a>, best of pgh<\/a>, best of pittsburgh<\/a>, Events<\/a>, live music<\/a>, local artist<\/a>, local band<\/a>, Music<\/a>, North Hills<\/a>, pgh<\/a>, pgh made<\/a>, Pittsburgh<\/a>, Pittsburgh events<\/a>\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\tJosh McCann<\/a><\/p>\n
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