Step into Kate Bollinger’s finely drawn, jazz-folk world.
Step into Kate Bollinger’s finely drawn, jazz-folk world.
Video directed by Angie Scarpa. All photos by Ian Kose

Kate Bollinger: KCRW Live from HQ

Intimate performances, fresh sounds, and candid conversations with a view.

Written by Marion Hodges

Jazz-folk artist Kate Bollinger began releasing music in 2017, establishing a sharp and idiosyncratic style from the jump. The Virginia-native broke through in 2020 with "A Couple Things," a hazy, pretty ode about how messing up a few small things can make everything fall apart. It was a fitting soundtrack to wiling away the days while sheltering in place.

Bollinger's profile has grown exponentially since receiving a writing credit on Kanye West's 2021 album Donda (for a sample of her 2019 song "Candy," which didn't make the final cut). She also toured with fellow indie-folk-disrupter Faye Webster and released her debut LP in 2024, Songs From A Thousand Frames Of Mind.

More: Faye Webster: KCRW Live From HQ

On the heels of this album, Bollinger (vocals, guitar), Noah Barker (keys, background vocals), Pierce Gibson (drums, background vocals), 

Noel Friesen (guitar, background vocals), and Rayla Delanova (bass) make KCRW's Annenberg Performance studio into the coziest version of itself by filling it with their songs. 

Burrow into the video at the top of this page for Frames Of Mind highlights like "What's This About (La La La La)" and "Sweet Devil." You'll also be treated to "Who Am I But Someone" from Bollinger's 2022 EP Look at it in the Light.  

And if you're reading in SoCal, you can catch Kate Bolliger playing live TONIGHT (Friday, Nov. 22) at The Teragram Ballroom.

More: FREAKS ONLY Presents: 3 Song Story with Kate Bollinger









Explore more KCRW Live From sessions

Credits:

KCRW Music Director: Alejandro Cohen
Interviewer: Tyler Boudreaux
Director/Editor/Color: Angie Scarpa
Director of Photography: Kylie Hazzard
Camera Operators: Rachel Bickert, Kylie Hazzard, Angie Scarpa, Miko Scarpa
Recording Engineer: Hope Brush
Executive Producer: Ariana Morgenstern
Senior Producer: Anna Chang
Event Producer: Liv Surnow
Digital Producer: Marion Hodges
Digital Editorial Manager: Andrea Domanick
Lighting Design: Jason Groman
Art Director: Evan Solano

More from KCRW

Film critic Alonso Duralde recommends holiday movies: “See You Next Christmas,” “Better Watch Out, “1985,” and “Christmas, Again.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Critics review the latest film releases: “Mufasa,” “The Room Next Door,” “The Brutalist,” and “Nickel Boys.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Featuring selections that range from carefully curated music from around the world with unique gems and quality tracks that will satisfy the needs of even the most discerning music…

from Jason Kramer

A sonic trip through the past, present and future of roots music.

from Jeremy Sole

Raul Campos creates a mix of emerging artists and current favorites, bringing essential cuts from around the world and a little closer to home -- from soulful grooves and fresh remixes…

from Raul Campos

New releases in all genres.

from Chris Douridas