^BAND Kate Sikora

Kate Sikora is an indie pop gal who can rock! She writes lyrics which are inspired by life, stories, colorful characters, and veer away from the traditional "love song". Kate has been writing songs since her childhood in the quiet suburbs of New Jersey. At the age of 18, she began playing venues in New York and New Jersey as the front woman in an experimental rock band, the Fauxmonks. The band broke up amicably in 2001 and Kate continued on to write and play solo. In 2005, Kate Sikora independently released her debut album, "Grace in Rotation." Shortly after, she brought her quirky, straight-talkin', energetic songs with her abroad where she spent the next 4 years making a name for herself in the Japanese music scene. She and her pal, Lindsay Lueders (The Bracelets, Vilorena), began collaboration on their indie folk duo, "The Loyal We" in 2006. They caught the attention of Japanese label, Contrarede, shortly after who released their debut album, "Homes" on January 20, 2010. Kate continues to perform as 1/2 of the Loyal We while also playing with various Japanese musicians she met and befriended in Tokyo. She and her band recorded "The Counting Song" at EMI studio Terra which was included on the Avocado Record's compilation "Kill Your T.V 2009." When the Loyal We went on a brief hiatus (Lindsay went back to the U.S), Kate decided to stay in Tokyo to work on new material and recordings with her band (Kishida Yoshinari (drums), Horikoshi Takeshi (bass), Minmin (organ)) Sticking around soon paid off as they were invited to play at the 2009 Fuji Rock Festival on the Rookie-A-Go-Go stage. Soon after, Kate began work on her ep "Aparto" with Glaswegian producer and engineer, David Naughton. In September, 2009, "Grace in Rotation" was re-released in Japan on the Contrarede label. In the winter of 2010, Kate opened the show for one of her biggest influences, Liz Phair, at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ. When the tragic earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan's shores in March 2011, she decided to organize a benefit show to send her support. She contributed to the UK's Gabby Young's "Song for Japan: We're All in This Together" and continues to support Japan with her music. Kate is currently working on releasing her second solo album, "Aparto" and has begun work on a sophomore album with the Loyal We. She is living in the US for now with plans to return to adopted home in Tokyo later this year.