Intense Escape
Kate Torralba not only designs some of today’s hottest clothes and accessories, she also rocks on the keyboard.
Upon her arrival at the quaint Bar42, Kate Torralba saunters in and amicably chats up the producer. Known for her cheery and colorful dresses as much as for her gracious and pleasant personality, she takes to the keyboard and begins to shock those unfamiliar with the other side of Kate. She renders and emphatic version of “Black Hole Sun” by grunge rock band Sound Garden.
Piano first
Even at four years old, Kate didn’t allow obstacles to deter her foray into music. It was at that time that her mom and the rest of her family were taking piano lessons. Everyone except her, that is. “I wanted to take lessons,” recalls Kate. “But they said, ‘You’re a baby.’” To her family’s amazement one day, the young Kate started playing the notes of the song “Moon River”—the tune that everyone was studying she had learned to play by ear.
Formal piano lessons began at age 7. “I was really advanced,” Kate shares. It was said that she was at prodigy level, with a skill so natural and superior for her age. A scholarship in the US was offered, but being the eldest daughter, her family declined. Kate was to stay at home. At age 9, however, Kate made it to the US, this time to perform for a recital in Los Angeles.
Kate’s love affair with the piano soon encountered a rocky patch. Classical music became too tiring. The “discipline was too much,” states Kate, who in grade school became intrigued with rock music. By high school, Kate was finding piano uncool, and even went so far as to trade it for the guitar, teaching herself a new skill.
“I called myself Mrs. Kurt Cobain,” Kate giddily reveals, alluding to the late Nirvana lead singer.
In her native Cebu, Kate became the vocalist for HardCandy, a band playing female pop alternative. An erstwhile self-confessed The Corrs fan, Kate took to the role of violinist as well, but didn’t fare as well as her other endeavors. “I sucked,” she laughs. The band earned a modest amount of success. In 2000, it garnered 5 awards at the first San Miguel Cebu Music Awards, including Band of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.
Tonight, tonight!
Tonight, as she reaches emotional intensity, she gives us a hint of the serious, introspective woman behind the animated character many take for granted.
Kate is playing without a setlist, drawing requests from the crowds and playing her favorites: Sarah McLachlan, Everything but the Girl, and of course Tori Amos—the artist “who makes piano cool.” Whether it is Pearl Jam or Radiohead, The Cure or Massive Attack, Kate deftly recreates a musical experience that shuts out the rest of the world.
Kate admits that her two personas—fashion designer and musician—are alter egos of each other. “The clothes are the happy [side]. The music reveals my darker side.” The darkness she speaks of points to the complexities her music unveils to her audience.
Fans have pinned their hopes on an album from Kate. She divulges that the idea is not too far-fetched. “One of my goals is to release an album before I turn 29 in December,” Kate shares. “An EP [extended play] at least.” As she bids her goodbye, we do leave knowing that when she’s ready, we can expect an invitation into a whole new realm of Kate’s musical exploration.
published in Mega, October 2007
