Katharina has been involved in music since childhood, playing clarinet, piano, and guitar, and singing in choirs. She attended The University of Texas at San Antonio where she studied music with vocals as her primary instrument.
Her professional live band performance projects began in 1999, and included:
"Circle of Fifths" cover band San Antonio, TX; "E7" cover band San Antonio, TX; Unbecoming" original band in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. "Under The Influence" cover band Orlando, FL, "The Cast Band" Orlando, FL. "SWITCH" with alternate names: "The Big Band Theory" and "Nerd Ranger", Orlando, FL. "Clockwork", San Antonio, TX. "The Band 4X", Tampa, FL.
Katharina has played in acoustic duets in prestigious restaurants and venues in Central Florida with guitar players David Smith, and Mike Lynch. She has had the opportunity to have opened for known bands such as "Genitorturers", "Crossbreed" and "Loverboy" during her professional career.
Katharina has worked alongside many talented and prestigious individuals, such as Trae Peirce and his band "Trae Peirce and the T-Stone Band". Trae Peirce is a four Time Grammy Award winning producer, and former bass player for the "Ohio Players Band". He has worked and produced musicians such as Jodeci, James Brown, Peter Gabriel, and Randy Travis among several others.
She also assisted as back up vocalist for Orlando Reggae Pop singer Tanta T, where they performed at the "2012 Caribbean Festival" in Cocoa, FL. and assisted with backup vocals for the Reverend Mr. Ed Brown's Gospel CD, produced by Grammy Award winning drummer Will Covington. She also has song writing credits and featured vocals on Fred Chandlers song titled "My Happy Little Space" on his album "TeknoTeq".
Among her endeavors during her performance years, Katharina has sang in Central Florida and Texas for both large and smaller scale events being corporate or city hosted, such as: The Hard Rock Live, Universal Studio's, BB Kings, Planet Hollywood, and city festivals.
Katharina is also a songwriter. Available on I-tunes is her single titled "Talk To Me", under her former artist name Katharina Castoire. She also has EDM tracks written with Orlando Based DJ D-Xtreme through the Cognitive Music Label, titled "Feel My Love", which is available on Beatport alongside several DJ remixes done by DJ COLOMBO, DJ Dave Gluskin, DJ Nology, and DJ Johnny Dangerously. Also now available on BEATPORT is her newest song titled "Bodywork" with New Orleans based DJ JROK, through GIGABEATNIGHTS Music Label.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/katskan1
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/hater-on-me-single/1699342628
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/katharinasantana?fbclid=IwAR2fxVwBnnw68iKmt-LJQIH_KhIdQqxGEsJs_vzPKx9i0wzzS-TwwtRQPrM
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
I don't have any one particular genre. I'd love to be a ghostwriter one day, as it's easy for me to write just about every style, including rap music.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
My 1st name is the name of the street we lived on when my father was stationed in Stuttgart Germany where I was born. Maybe they thought I'd be a street walker one day hahahahahaha. And my father was Mr. Santana which was cool growing up. People would constantly ask if I was related to Carlos Santana. I got tired of the question so started lying and saying he was a Great Uncle. It's funny because that's how I got a B in Bio class when really I should have had a D. The teacher lived Hendrix and Carlos Santana lol.
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
I grew up listening to Motown records. Then it was all about Madonna, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. Then Gwen Stefani...but.of course.....freestyle was prime for me growing up.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
Well as mentioned in my bio, I'm currently doing production work with DJayB. The Producer to 69 Boys, Quad City DJ's and 95 South.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
It'd be great to perform again, maybe once my son is older....I'm a single parent. But I'd love to Ghost write. I have ability to write just about anything genre wise, but not all genres suit my vocal type. So it'd be great to write some #1's for A list performer's one day.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
I have only sang a couple of my originals once, in Orlando. So many years doing covers, I can alter my tone to a variety of styles, it amazes people really. I'll belt out Bruno Mars, then turn around and smash Janis Joplin and people are like....what just happened?!
I love, love, love singing Journey Separate Ways....people get chills when I do that one. Same with Stevie Knicks Edge of 17, people come to me and do the "I'm not worthy" motion.....it's hysterical.
I can nail Janis Joplin Peice of My Heart lime nobody's business. Then I'll turn around and jam out an Adele so g and people go nuts.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
Having to basically halt performing to focus on being a mommy. But writing a few new songs here and there through the years keeps me sane. But I miss the stage more than anything.
Whats Your Typical Songwriting Process?
I have to hear what the producer lays out 1st, to catch a vibe. Then I get an idea, a theme. Once I can get a hook, the rest is easy. I can write pretty quickly. I can have a finished tune, two verses, chorus and bridge with a good hook in less than 45 minutes in a "bad" day.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
It has definitely made my presence known further out then the America's. My second top country that enjoys my music via website streaming is Spain and then Canada.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
Dual Lipa, Calvin Harris, 21 Pilots, Eminem, Mariah Carey.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
Not sure how to answer that, because even as a child I would sing and also write songs with my acoustic guitar and piano....since about the age of 8 years old. But was always singing to myself since about 5 years old.
Any Advice For Young People, Men or Women, That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
Never give up. Take breaks when you need to, but don't ever just stop. Always keep trying until the day your time comes.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
I would staff a largely based scouting team because there's too much talent and not enough people searching with true intentions.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
I'm 100% original. When I was in my original band Unbecoming, they actually tried to recommend to me how to write my lyrics, stating that I wasn't "poetic" enough. I write what I feel and what I think the song sounds like it's trying to say. Im not big on trying to make a song poetic justice.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
I love all genres. I'm very eclectic, which I think helps in the way my abilities are in being able to create any style of song.
