Kate is a classically trained pianist and an award-winning performing songwriter. From 2009-2015, she was the senior songwriting instructor at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music; Kate is also available as a songwriting coach and has been contracted to lead several community songwriting programs. She has toured throughout Canada and the States, as well as played extensively in her hometown of Vancouver, BC performing the music she writes, and yes, that IS Kate with actor Ryan Gosling and his band, Dead Man’s Bones on the home page! That photo was taken at a memorable gig at the Venue in 2009…
A NEW CD COMPILATION is now available for download and streaming on a number of platforms. “Somebody Else Take the Wheel” is a 12-track compilation of recordings of songs spanning nearly 30 years of my career so far. Right click printable artwork to download.
Upcoming performances are listed on the News & Performances page.
All words and music written by Kate MacColl, unless otherwise noted. This page will take a moment to load – thanks for your patience.
Can We Move On?
Audio and video recording by Jodie Bruce on location @ Frequency Winery, Kelowna BC (October 2019)
Lyrics – Can We Move On?Two Friends
In 2013, Kate MacColl commissioned Julie Tomaino to create a dance piece for her song, “Two Friends”, a song that is also the initial inspiration for the original musical she has written, “This Is Now”; the musical ran for 6 shows in June 2018 in Vancouver, BC.
“There are people who have money and there are people who are rich.” ~Coco Chanel
Engineered and co-produced by Elliot Polsky
Director / Choreographer: Julie Tomaino
Director of Photography: Loic Mabily
Video Editor: Stacey Tolmer
Dancers: Kimberley Ganter and Jacq Smith
We’ve Reached Our Stop
Named ‘Semi-Finalist” in the 2012 UK Songwriting Contest
Lyrics: Kate MacColl
Music: Kelly Pettit, Kate MacColl
Arranged by Kate MacColl for piano
Engineered and co-produced by Elliot Polsky
Footage shot on location on the Downtown East Side of Vancouver, BC by Curtis Cleveland and Saied Marcondes. Additional footage shot on location at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
Final edit by Tim Rockey, Rockeyshores Productions
Video copyright 2014 Kate MacColl
I’ll Come Back
A “Commended” Entry in the 2013 UK Songwriting Contest
Engineered and mixed by Marc Bjorknas
A song 15 years in the making… well worth the wait
Lyrics – I’ll Come BackWhere Life Begins
Engineered by David Sikula @ Monarch Studios, Vancouver, BC
Lyrics – Where Life BeginsWhat I Call Life
A “Commended” Entry in the 2012 UK Songwriting Contest
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Drums: Brennan Saul
Bass: Joseph Lubinsky-Mast
Recorded at UBC’s Gessler Hall with additional tracks recorded at Vertical (now Monarch) Studios, and Watershed Music, Vancouver BC.
Lyrics – What I Call LifeLucy
Based on a character played by Gwyneth Paltrow in a chick flick from the ’90’s called “Moonlight and Valentino”, also starring Jon Bon Jovi as the romantic male lead… Gwyneth – if you hear this, let me know what you think…
Engineered and co-produced by Elliot Polsky
Lyrics – LucyWhat’s Right Or Wrong
FINALIST, 2002 Kerrville New Folk Song Competition
Engineered by Mark Fortin
Drum sequencing: Mark Fortin
Drive, Drive
FINALIST, 2002 Kerrville New Folk Song Competition
Engineered by Mark Fortin; saxophone: Charlie Huntley / drums: Elliot Polsky
Life So Far
Someone told me that if you plant the branch of a lilac tree and keep it watered, it can re-root…
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Lyrics – Life So FarSomebody Else Take the Wheel
Some songs are just handed to you, like a gift…this was one of them.
Guest guitarist: Steve Mitchell
Take Back Your Shoes
Written while I was walking around barefoot one day…
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Drums: Brennan Saul
Bass: Joseph Lubinsky-Mast
Friday Night
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Drums: Brennan Saul
Bass: Joseph Lubinsky-Mast
Recorded at Vertical (now Monarch) Studios, and Watershed Music, Vancouver BC.
I Keep Going
Lyrics: Terry Varney
Music: Terry Varney, Steve Mitchell, Kate MacColl
Arrangement for piano: Kate MacColl
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Drums: Brennan Saul
Bass: Joseph Lubinsky-Mast
Recorded at UBC’s Gessler Hall and Vertical (now Monarch) Studios, Vancouver BC.
Lyrics – I Keep GoingPride
Recorded December 2011 on the Bosendorfer at UBC’s Gessler Hall
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Lyrics – Pride
Famous Pop Singer
Engineered and mixed by Will Howie
Drums: Brennan Saul
Bass: Joseph Lubinsky-Mast