Kat Saul unveils new single "I Love To Hate You"
Following up the single “Compromise” released in June, Nashville pop artist Kat Saul is back with the anthemic pop-electro single “I Love To Hate You”.
Produced by Prince Fox and Max Weinik, the single was premiered on WFNM’s 88.5FM on September 30th and made it to several official Spotify playlists including New Music Friday playlists and Indie Pop the first week of the release.
The 22 year old artist introduces a new beginning with this brand new single. Describing her music as the product of her youth, Kat Saul paints a strong musical identity filled with “Friday night lights, emo phases & prep school: sparkly pop songs, glitter-eyeliner, power chords, hip hop beats & head-bangers,” describes Saul.
“I Love To Hate You” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Matt Blum
Hi Kat !! How are you? You've just released your new single "I Love To Hate You" - what's the story behind this song?
My last single, “Compromise”, was a come to Jesus song about needing to break up with my boyfriend. “I Love To Hate You” is about that break up. The way everything went down was a little bizarre to be honest. As the song says “If we caught it sooner then we’d still be friends, but with all you put me through now the truth is I love to hate you”. It’s sad, because we used to be best friends, but now I can’t stand this guy. I’m sure he feels the same way.
When did you start working on this song? Could you describe us the songwriting process?
I first sat down to write this song with Max in May when I was in LA for the month. We were catching up on life, and I started telling him about the breakup and how things got messy with my ex, and was like “Sorry for ranting, I just love to hate him”. We ended up writing that idea. One of the best things about Max is that we had known each other for a while, so I’d toss out a line and he’d be like “that’s really smart, but you’d never say that in real life”, which is why the song feels a little different. He helped me find myself again. After I left town, I had been in the studio so many days in a row I sort of lost track of all the songs I’d written and didn’t think much about ILTHY. A few weeks later I get a text from Wallace, my manager, like “Hey did you write a song called ‘I Love To Hate You’?”. I was so confused because I hadn’t sent it to her. As it turns out, Max had played the demo for Prince Fox on their road trip to Vegas for EDC, and Prince Fox heard potential for it to become something big and had ideas. I booked another trip to LA in early August, and we spent 3 days redo-ing the production and structure of the song. We went through quite a few versions of the song before finally arriving on the version that is released.
How was it like to collaborate with Prince Fox and Max Weinik on this single?
Prince Fox is an absolute genius, and so is Max. They both have really forward thinking production ideas, but also bring something individually unique to the table and are willing to try any crazy idea I throw out. What’s REALLY awesome about working with them is that we are all friends. We met in October 2018 at a writing camp and hit it off. Because we have known each other for a while, so they know me as an artist and person and can communicate that sonically. Plus it was fun. Lots of yummy food, funny jokes and bonding. Aaaaand they brainwashed me into moving to their neighborhood so that’s cool haha. January move babyyyy.
At what point did you realize "I Love To Hate You" had to be a single?
When it felt like me.
What can you tell us about the artwork? What was the inspiration behind it?
The guys on the artwork represent my exes. Even though this song was inspired by one specific guy, I kind of feel that way about all my exes and wanted it to represent resentful relationships in general. I knew I wanted big sky vibes, so we went for the bleachers in order to achieve the angle. Also, the song has a nostalgic “looking back at it all” feel, so I wanted to go all the way back to high school and shoot there. All of the visuals were done at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville where my manager and I were ironically both cheerleaders 5 years apart. Big thanks to my friend and visual collaborator Matt Blum who helped direct and shoot the artwork and to Mekea Larson who came in with mad graphic design skills to put on the final touches.
What do you like the most about this single?
Like I said, it feels like me, and that makes me proud. I also love that it keeps people guessing with the way it goes between dance and alternative sections, but feels like a pop song.
This new single marks a new era for you. How would you describe this new beginning/sound?
A Pop Fusion Smoothie.
Ingredients: Fresh pop melodies, sub bass al dente, rhythmic lyrics, heavily distorted guitar, early 2000s synthesizers, *optional vocal chop if in the mood to dance*.
Directions: Soak ingredients in reverb and blend on high for approximately 3 minutes. Add rap feature on the cover song and garnish with a sprinkle of teen angst. YUM.
You were "made in the 90s". Any favorite songs from the 90s?
To be honest, I was born in 97 so most of the music/culture I was inspired by was the early 2000s. BUT I do love No Doubt, so probably “Just A Girl”.
How would you describe your music today?
It's the product of my youth - Friday night lights, emo phases & prep school: sparkly pop songs, glitter-eyeliner, power chords, hip hop beats & head-bangers.
Any upcoming projects?
“Made In The 90s”. It’s a mood.
What are you the most proud of?
I’m proud of my personal development in the past 2 years. Music has given me the gift of literally being able to hear and see it, like a public diary.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
1) Being yourself is the secret sauce. 2) Worrying what other people think is a waste of time.
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