Katy Shotter

Throughout her life, Katy Shotter has known the piano was a special instrument. As a toddler, she watched in awe as her mother gracefully played the family’s white piano. In time, her mother educated her about classical piano technique while her father showed her jazz chords. Katy fell for the keys: “I loved the sound, and I just felt a feeling I don't feel with anything else when I play the piano,” “The fact I could create new songs and I could write my own music while accompanying myself was the best feeling for me. When I was a young girl, I used to play and sing my own songs at school to everyone and on a few occasions I was overwhelmed by the reaction as I had made some of the audience cry. I loved the fact I wasn't just a singer but also a musician.”Katy Shotter first made a name for herself by appearing on the UK television show, Chancers, a songwriting competition and an opportunity to work with Matthew Knowles, best known for leading Destiny’s Child and BeyoncÈ to international stardom. Asked why she auditioned for the show, Katy candidly says, “I was so depressed working a 9-5 in an office. I just knew I couldn't waste any more time.”After encouragement from friends and family, Katy sent in the demo on the very last day for submissions. She made the short list of finalists. Everything seemed to be going according to plan until her father suffered two heart attacks just before she travelled to Houston for the month-long competition.“I was in two minds what to do. I wanted to be there for my dad, but it was my parents who encouraged me to pursue my dream or otherwise I'll live in regret. So I didn't want to just win for me, but also for my dad and family who have done so much for me.”Her victory on the show culminated in an opening slot on Beyonce’s UK tour and due to the overwhelming response, Katy landed the opening spot on the entire U.S. and Canadian leg tour. Following an on-stage introduction by Matthew Knowles, Katy steps behind the piano each night to perform a handful of her original, insightful songs.“The feeling I get when I play, on stage or privately, is an indescribable buzz. It’s something that makes me feel elated and on top of the world. In a way it’s my form of therapy. If I'm really down, I play the piano and let it all out. The personal connection I have with just me and my piano is something that no one can ever take away. It’s my diary, my counsellor. It knows everything about me! It’s one of the most precious things in my life. If you take that away, half of me would not be here.”As a child, Shotter also discovered that by singing, she could connect with anyone.“I loved the fact I could touch people when I sang. I have only had one singing lesson in my life, on Chancers, and I taught myself how to sing by sitting in my bedroom as a young girl and imitating all my idols. From Whitney, to Mariah, Ray Charles to Stevie Wonder and many more. I would imitate them down to the last note.”She continues, “It wasn't until I was about 16 that I found my own voice. I also used to sing over the Internet when I was about 11 and nobody would believe I was an 11-year-old girl from the UK! I used to go in the soul chat rooms and sing out my heart to try and get noticed!”As her musical talent developed and people began discovering her, she garnered praise from John Legend (who called her an amazing pianist) Beyonce and Robin Thicke (who praised her musicianship while both were on the Beyonce tour.) New fans are now discovering her immense gifts for themselves. One concert highlight is Shotter’s “Complicated Woman,” a boisterous song that she dedicates to the women in the audience. “Men are very simple creatures, us women can be deemed as complicated!”Along with her powerful vocals and inescapable hooks, Shotter says she wants her music to encourage her fans to follow their dreams.“When someone comes to watch me in my show, I want them to walk away and feel inspired to do what they really want to do in life,” she says. “I would love to inspire people to learn an instrument because I think it’s such a wonderful skill to have and I really believe music is a soundtrack to our lives. I have had a lot of obstacles that could have stopped me from doing what I am doing now -- having no money, family illnesses -- but the hungry passion I have for music is the tool that has given me the opportunity to be here. That's why I want people to walk away and feel they are good enough to pursue their dream, whatever that may be. I also want to touch people in their hearts, and feel deep emotions, whether happy or sad, when they listen to me sing and play.”Katy is currently in the studio working on her forthcoming album entitled ‘Beautifully Strange.’ Complicated Woman is for sale on Itunes (US Only)