Katherine Paul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katherine Paul
Paul performing at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, 2019
Background information
Born	1989 (age 35–36) Anacortes, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock indie rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards drums
Years active	2014–present
Labels	Saddle Creek Records

Katherine Paul (born 1989) is a talented musician and songwriter. She is known by her stage name, Black Belt Eagle Scout. Katherine is from the Swinomish and Iñupiaq Native American communities. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Her music blends sounds from post-rock and alternative rock with traditional Native American music. She plays many instruments and writes her own songs. Katherine has released an EP and three full albums. Her first EP, Black Belt Eagle Scout, came out in 2014. Her first album, Mother of My Children, was released in 2017.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Katherine Paul was born in Anacortes, Washington. Her father is from the Swinomish and Colville tribes. Her mother is Iñupiaq from Alaska. Katherine grew up on the Swinomish Reservation in Washington. Her first musical experiences were listening to and singing traditional music of the Coast Salish people. She was also a jingle dress dancer at pow wows with her family's drum group.

From a young age, Katherine learned to play the piano. She also played the flute in her school band. Her interest in guitar and drums grew when she watched old video tapes of bands like Hole and Nirvana. She taught herself to play these instruments by carefully watching the musicians.

During high school, Katherine became part of the local "DIY" (Do-It-Yourself) music scene in Anacortes. She went to shows at a venue called the Department of Safety. There, she met Canadian artist Geneviève Castrée, who became a mentor to her. Geneviève encouraged Katherine's early performances.

In 2007, Katherine moved to Portland, Oregon, to attend Lewis & Clark College. In Portland, she got involved with the Rock and Roll Camp for Girls. She also played guitar, drums, and sang for local bands like Forest Park and Genders.

Music Career and Albums

Katherine Paul's first music release as Black Belt Eagle Scout was an eight-song EP in 2014. Her next big release was her debut album, Mother of My Children, in 2017. Katherine played all the instruments on this album herself. These included bass, keyboard, percussion, organ, vibraphone, and piano, along with guitar, drums, and vocals.

The album was recorded in a converted church studio in Anacortes. During the recording, Katherine stayed on the reservation with her parents. The songs on the album explore feelings like loss and heartbreak. They also touch on Katherine's identity as an Indigenous woman. Her mentor, Geneviève Castrée, passed away in 2016. Katherine says music helped her deal with her grief. She credits this healing power of music to her Native upbringing. Singing and drumming played important spiritual roles for her growing up.

One song from the album, "Indians Never Die," is a response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests at Standing Rock. It also addresses changes happening in Portland. Katherine is a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and equality.

On April 26, 2019, a new single called "Loss & Relax" was released. It came out on a seven-inch vinyl record. The other side of the record featured a song called "Half Colored Hair."

Discography

Studio Albums

• Mother of My Children (2017)
• At the Party with My Brown Friends (2019)
• The Land, the Water, the Sky (2023)

Extended Plays

• Black Belt Eagle Scout (2014)

Singles

• "Loss & Relax" (2019)
• "Half Colored Hair" (2019)
• "My Heart Dreams" (2019)
• "Run It to Ya" (2019)
• "Don't Give Up" (2022)
• "My Blood Runs Through This Land" (2022)
• "Nobody" (2023)
• "Spaces" (2023)