The distillation of classical and electro-pop music, K Mak is the project of Australian cellist Kathryn McKee.
As a cellist with the Queensland Youth Symphony, Queensland Theatre and Opera Queensland, Kathryn has toured Australia, Europe and Asia, and played onstage with Kanye West, Eminem, Archie Roach and Vera Blue.After releasing her debut single, 'Be My Lady', earlier this year, K Mak returns with 'It's You' – a string-rich, synthy pop ballad sparkling with all the feels associated to new-found love.
A real-life confession of love reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet or Friends' Ross and Rachael, K Mak penned 'It's You' while dealing with a swirling array of emotions as she begun a new relationship.
"I wrote it at the piano at home, when I was going out with one person but couldn't get my ex off my mind. 'It's You' was my way of dealing with it, a place to put my feelings.
"It's about running away from a feeling because someone isn't as cute, cool, or sassy as you thought they should be. And looking for love elsewhere, only to realise you had the one in the first place.
"You know that rush that comes when you admit the truth to yourself about something? That's what the chorus is to me. The verses are for grabbing your tissues and the choruses for dancing and crying at the same time."
Who is K Mak... I am a cellist who loves classical, electronic and pop music and has music babies fathered by these three. I love distilling my experiences playing with Archie Roach, Opera Queensland, Kanye West, Eminem and Vera Blue into my own music.
I sound like... Bjork/ Tori Amos/ Radiohead. I hope I do anyway!
My first gig was... The Powerhouse.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision? It was unanimous as there's only me, though some of my friends still can't take me seriously. I decided to use it when a music manager said to me, about my real name: "Great name – means nothing on stage. Get rid of it darl!"
In the studio I usually... Change my mind.
If I could tour with anyone... Xani. Melbourne pop violinist and generous room buddy. Check her out.
Social media is... Ready to be retired.
My favourite app at the moment is... iTanpura – an Indian shruti box. Great drones for doing singing practice.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... My shoes slowly fell apart and became one with the carpet over the course of a set at a well-known Brisbane venue, which asked me not to come back.
Life on the road can be... Full of excuses to eat junk food.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that the rider contains... Room temperature water. Wild I know.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Sinus surgery coming undone and bleeding out on the Cavill Mall in Surfers Paradise while no one noticed.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson? Richard Roxburgh. See final question.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? New York. Food. Music. Culture.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Richard Roxburgh, Rake and Silvia Colloca's husband. See final question. Julian Assange and Greta Thunberg also welcome.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I'd probably cheat and get Lebanese from the end of the street. Would fess up though.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Who can say hater to this? Cats over dogs though.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Who Gives A Crap toilet paper. Latest edition.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Can I say gym equipment store? I'm kind of in love with Harts... those colours!
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Vacuuming. Noisy + bending over = urgh.
Do you have any phobias? Fear of running out of time. Greedy to do so many things.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Nnnnnnope.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? I need to work on my prank factor. Let me get back to you about this. Just kidding – I'm not getting back to you!
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma? Pancake Manor.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Hmmmm, a character in a musical written by me ex was based on me, so her I guess.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Rake'. Handsome rooster with handsome banter.
