Kate Sikora recently got back from Japan, where she was teaching English to kiddies, and playing music when she found the time. The 25-year-old singer/songwriter from Boonton writes beautiful songs, ranging from pop-rockers to quiet, aching meditations (dare I say ballads?). She’s currently playing shows around the area, including one tonight at the Lockwood Tavern in Stanhope, for all you west Jerseyans.
Day job: Teacher
What's the worst or most interesting thing that's happened to you at work?
Teaching in Japan was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’ve had many teaching jobs: preschool teacher, gymnastics coach, summer camp counselor, and I still substitute teach for grades K-12. Throughout my experiences I’ve learned many different teaching tactics. Teaching is challenging to begin with, but I had to deal with a whole other set of issues in Japan because, in many cases, my students couldn’t understand English and I couldn’t speak Japanese. I became quite good at charades!
I found out that there are so many ways to communicate even without language -- music being one of them. One of the best things about living and working in Japan was that I was the minority, I couldn’t speak the language, and my brain was constantly engaged. I have a whole new understanding and respect for many students who are coming from a different cultural background, speak a foreign language, and are trying to manage and excel in American schools.
Does work ever conflict with your music?
Not so much with jobs I’ve held in the states. I’ve always had flexible hours and gigs are usually on the weekends. With teaching in the states, I’d always be done by 3 or 4 pm which left me a lot of time for practice and getting to shows. However, at my job in Japan, I was always struggling with time management. I only worked 20-25 hours a week but those hours were scheduled over six days and randomly between 9 am and 9 pm. I had to pass up a lot of good gigs, and finding time to rehearse with band mates was really hard. The trains stop running around midnight and I lived 45 minutes from Tokyo. My classes were always being rescheduled at the last minute so it was hard to make plans in advance. I tried to communicate my frustrations to my boss but I don’t think she could understand that work wasn’t my only priority.
Do you have health insurance?
I wish! I had to pay for my own insurance in Japan and, now that I’m back in the US, I’m, again, without insurance.
Who are the three people you'd most like to have at one of your shows, in terms of helping your music career?
This is a tough question because three is just not enough. I’d have to say Ani Difranco because I’ve always respected her DIY musical career. I’d love to talk shop with her. I haven’t been on an “Ani” kick for a while but I think she’s a brilliant woman and very talented. Chan Marshall (Cat Power) is someone whose music is really inspiring as well. She’s a unique character and I also read that she pretty much does her own booking despite her popularity -- no manager either. Finally, I’d pick Jeff Mangum from Neutral Milk Hotel, because I think his lyric writing is unmatched. Neutral Milk Hotel has this cult following that is still growing years after it disbanded. All three musicians are well respected by a large audience and yet they all seem to be able to live outside of the limelight of fame. I’m not sure if I’d be able to talk let alone play if I knew they were in the audience though – ah, but now I just sound like a gushing fan.
If Wal-Mart approached you about putting your music in an ad, for a large sum, would you do it?
I’d have to say no despite the temptation of paying off my college loans in one shot and moving out of my parents’ house. I don’t like Wal-Mart and honestly wouldn’t want my songs associated with something I don’t like. I’d like my music to get out there and reach people but I don’t think people would take me seriously as a songwriter if I started out by writing jingles for Wal-Mart.
Any additional thoughts on the relationship between work and art?
I hope to have a long musical career that can coexist peacefully with my day job. Maybe it would be nice to not have to have a 9-to-5 “jobby job,” but sometimes I think it helps me focus more on my music. By having the responsibility to be somewhere from such a time to such a time, I need to make time for my music and stay on top of it. Otherwise, I might just spend the whole day in bed reading or drinking coffee in my pajamas. I do love teaching and it allows me to travel and introduce children to new ideas (and music!) so maybe it’s not so bad having a day job after all. I’d never stay at a job that made me miserable or kept me from my art. The trick is finding a way to support yourself both financially and mentally.
On the Web:
Kate Sikora
Day Job is a weekly column examining the contradictions, conflicts and convergence between “work” and “art.”
much love kate! *rock on*
Posted by: diane | 08/17/2006 at 05:05 PM
kate rocks my socks off so hard it hurts!
Posted by: Nic | 08/17/2006 at 06:04 PM
I'm so happy to have my favorite Kate back in the states! We missed ya! Next round is so on me! To all of those out there that don't know, Grace In Rotation is an awsome CD and to book Kate for a show would be considered a brush with future greatness. Ok now I sound like a gushing fan....
"Play the lunch song Kate!"
AJ
MadMan Sound
Posted by: AJ (MadMan Sound) | 08/18/2006 at 05:12 AM
Your always inspiring Kate :~)
Posted by: Danielle | 08/20/2006 at 03:47 PM
Japan misses you Kate! We can't wait for your return in Feb :) It'll be great to play with you again as well!!
Posted by: Tony | 01/04/2007 at 10:09 PM
well, I may be another gushing fan of Kate but I like her a lot more throgh these words :):)
music is my life!
Posted by: pipi | 06/11/2008 at 02:14 PM