For the latest episode of our podcast, John Fleming was joined by Ohio dream-pop singer-songwriter Kate Stanton. 

Her recent single, “Needs to Breathe,” was “heavily inspired by yoga practice.”

The song was constructed through collaboration with producer Thomas Mierkiewicz of Lemonbrew Studios in Oberhausen, Germany. 

“I kind of sent him this bare-bones chord progression on piano,” she recalled. “It was just vocalizations; there were no lyrics yet.”

After he first contributed to the arrangement, she added words during what would be a back-and-forth process of sending tracks to each other. 

Stanton’s overall inspiration encompasses an eclectic mix of artists. While significant art-pop artists and folk singers are undoubtedly clearer influences, she’s also a fan of the alternative metal band Tool. 

“[Maynard James Keenan’s] got really good [vocal] control. His lyrics are super thoughtful, especially in the other bands he’s done, like A Perfect Circle, where he’s more melodic with his voice,” she said. 

Though that influence might surprise certain listeners of Stanton’s music, she’s not alone in consuming a wide range of music. In fact, she has that in common with one of her favorite artists. 

“I have so much respect for Beck, because I remember when I first heard him in the early-to-mid-’90s, and he was popular with, like, “Odelay” … and look how he’s grown.”

Noting the string arrangements and unique chord changes, she recalled noticing how much of a stylistic evolution his 2002 album “Sea Change” was from songs like the 1993 single “Loser.”

“I’ll never forget listening to it for the first time and thinking, ‘That’s the same guy.’”

She continues to be impressed with the genre-defying, eight-time Grammy winner. 

“I’m not exaggerating when I say I think he’s the Bowie of my time,” Stanton added about Beck. 

“I own most of his records, and they’re always fun to revisit whenever I feel a little slump – he’s inspiring.”

And it’s apparent Stanton wants people to take something away when they listen to her own music. While personally connecting with her audience, she’s been encouraged by the feedback. 

“I really enjoy the genuine comments that I’ve read on YouTube,” she said. 

“I’ve also had people private message that a song got them through a rough time in the hospital or that a parent had died and they listened to one of my songs and it made them feel comforted, so I think that’s an honor.”

This seems to be the fulfillment of her wish that her music “speaks to the heart.” And that’s happened internationally.

“One comment in particular, it was in Greek, and … to paraphrase, it was like, ‘Your song speaks to the universe,’ or something. I know it sounds grandiose, but it was just so lovely and poetic, and I was very moved by it.”