Long before the history-making tattoos, ubiquitous television shows, best-selling books, and influential beauty empire, Kat Von D sat down at a piano for nearly two hours a day and played. In essence, music became her first creative language and most trusted outlet. Classical training and a deep appreciation for music of all genres essentially underscored her life. This passion was funneled into her long-awaited full-length debut album, 2021’s Love Made Me Do It. A pastiche of shapeshifting analog synths, post-punk dreamscapes, gothic hues, and shy pop magnetism, her debut echos the eternal will of the perennially brokenhearted to love until death. It also fulfilled a lifelong ambition.
Later, in 2021, Kat Von D unveiled her follow-up effort, the Exorcisms EP, featuring the “Exorcism” single and remix with Gunship, one of the world’s top synthwave artists. Soon after, she dropped an incredible cover of The Cure’s iconic hit “Lovesong,” which was recorded in Spanish. Most recently, Kat has been busy preparing for the release of her new album ‘My Side Of The Mountain”, which will include her latest singles, “Truth In Reverse,” “Dead,” and “Por Ti.”
“More than any other medium, music has always been at the core of who I am, even before drawing and tattooing,” she exclaims. “I’ve never pursued it publicly until now—which will hopefully be a pleasant surprise.”
Born in Montemorelos, Mexico, and growing up in the Inland Empire of Southern California, Kat honed her chops on the piano at just five years old. Her grandmother, now 98 years old, presided over marathon practice sessions daily while Mom ran a timer. Between the tears and resentment, Kat learned how to read music as she became fascinated with Mozart and her favorite, Beethoven. This continued until high school when she left home.
Kat Von D studied voice under Ken Tamplin six days per week, strengthening her vocals and overall songwriting abilities leading up to her public unveiling as a singer/songwriter/producer. As a lifelong learner, she sought additional musical guidance from GRAMMY® Award-nominated legend Linda Perry, whom she studied with in sessions leading up to her debut album. Kat has continued to write independently, sitting at the piano and summoning songs from raw emotion and daily inspiration from her family, faith, and the awe-inspiring environment surrounding her home in Indiana.
Prayers is Leafar Seyer.The Mexican-born, San Diego-raised artist combines the frosty abrasiveness of acts such as Skinny Puppy and Christian Death with the more accessible sounds of Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. Seyer’s lyrics,based in his own life,layer his authentic urban experience onto Gothmusic:cholo goth.Prayers’first independently released albums,SD Killwave and Gothic Summer garnered Seyer awards for Best Music Video and Best Music Video Editing at the San Diego Film Festival in 2015and Bes tAlternative Band at the 2015 San Diego Music Awards.Seyer’s uncompromising vision drew the attention of the Cult’s Ian Astbury and celebrity drummer Travis Barker. Astbury added Prayers to their 2015 tour. Barker produced Prayers’ third album,Young Gods,featuring himself and Skinhead Rob along with longtime-Prayers collaborator Dave Parley.The Prayers musical universe expanded furtherwith two BMG-releasedalbums.Baptism of ThievesfeaturedRay Brady,Christian Death,Dave Parley, and KatVon D joining Seyer; and the Christian Deathcollaboration,Blessed Be Thy Name accompanied by the documentary,Beyond and Back.Cholo Goth, produced by Ray Brady was released 2/2/22. Featuring Seyers’ solo work as well as collaborations with Brady, Annie Hardy, and Robert Harvey,Cholo Goth continues Seyer’s musical and lyrical self-exploration as an outcast trapped between worlds.
