Davis-based duo Katalysst is preparing to release Atlas, a new EP that moves toward a more acoustic, folk-influenced sound following the rock arrangements of their debut, Ignited We Stand. Recorded at several locations around the Sacramento region, the new collection features guitar, bass, cello, flute, percussion and pedal steel, with lyrics that explore mythology, the environment and the pressures of modern life.
Kat and Alyssa met at the Whole Earth Festival in 2019 and began writing songs together the following year, initially responding to the protests and political events of the time. Their different musical backgrounds, Kat in classical singing and Alyssa in indie rock, have helped shape a sound built around vocal harmonies and thoughtful arrangements.
Atlas will be available on streaming platforms October 30, but fans can hear the new songs a few days early at Katalysst’s EP release party on Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m. The house concert in Davis will also feature Oliver Storian. Details are available through the band’s website and Instagram.
We spoke with Katalysst about the new EP, their recording process, the Davis music community and what’s ahead.
How did Katalysst get started, and what inspired those first songs?
We first met and began dating after Whole Earth Festival so one could certainly say Katalysst has a basis in love (the band name is literally our ship name). It wasn’t until after covid slowed things down in 2020 that we finally sat down to write our first songs together. Trump was president (deja vu), everything was closed, and George Floyd had just been murdered so protests were ramping up. Outrage can be a great galvanizer, and thus inspired us to write “1776” which was meant to show solidarity with the BLM movement and our general disappointment with the government’s handling of police violence.
Kat comes from classical singing, while Alyssa has a background in indie rock. How have those different experiences influenced your music?
I think our difference in background creates a nice blend of styles and gives us something that sets our sound apart. Kat knows all the rules and I (Alyssa) always want to break them which makes for a fun dynamic. When we first met, I actually couldn’t sing at all, and I began taking intermittent voices lessons from Kat. I’ve learned so much about music theory and improved drastically since the beginning. Performing out locally has been a huge part of that growth, giving the time and real world experience to solidify our unique sound. Together we’ve matured as songwriters, and I’ve even picked up the guitar to add some different textures to our duo set.
Your first EP had more of a rock sound, while Atlas takes a more acoustic, folk-oriented approach. What led to that change?
Our first EP “Ignited We Stand” was certainly angrier than “Atlas”, though they ponder similar sentiments and ideas. I think the rock sound was appropriate and representative for our anger and dissatisfaction with the system, while our folkier/symphonic sound reflects more what styles of music we listen to these days. I also came into this project with mostly rock band experience, so that was also the style with which I was most comfortable. Now I feel like I have more options in my tool belt to pull from when deciding on the sound scape we want to create.
Ancient Greek mythology and philosophy appear throughout Atlas. How did those ideas influence the songs, particularly the title track?
Both Kat and I are big fans of Ancient Greek philosophy and mythology so we wanted to include that thematic thread with this EP. You will hear references to Camus’s “Myth of Sisyphus” in the titular track which I think is a perfect metaphor both for existence and our economic conundrum. The figure of Atlas is a titan condemned to hold up the sky, which I thought felt like appropriate to being a stand-in for the modern working class individual who is sort of condemned to hold up a system which is continuously getting heavier and more unsustainable. There are many references in the EP to the unsustainability of limitless growth in a finite world, especially when it comes to the state of the environment. There are more lighthearted references as well to ideas like Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey and the general power of fiction to tell truths bigger than itself, which I think is a power that is well illustrated by Greek mythology.
You recorded the EP at several locations around the region. Can you tell us about the recording process and the musicians involved?
We recorded at a few different locations including Foxtail studio with Steve O’Neil, Pus Cavern in Sacramento, and Max Hart’s private recording studio in Woodland. Most of the instruments are played by Kat and I, but we also have cello performed by Lars Anderson and some pedal steel a’ la Obin Sturm. Local drummer Jim Frink added percussion along with a friend from SF named Amy Molinelli. Our mixer is Ryan Ainsworth who lives in Boston and is the sound engineer for some huge artists.
Is there a particular song on Atlas that stands out as a personal favorite?
I’m one of those writers that always favors the most recent piece the most, so I think the most recently written song “Lethe” (the third track) is my favorite. Kat also agrees! She is especially fond of her flute solo on it. But we both love the titular track Atlas as well, that’s always been a special one to perform.
What has the Davis music community meant to Katalysst?
The Davis community has been wonderful in their support of us as artists. Delta of Venus (RIP!) was one of the first venues to have us perform in town and has seen many different versions of our band. Thanks Lee! We always like to include different players when we can because there’s so many talented musicians in town, so big thank you to all the folks that perform with us like Max and Julian from The Big Poppies (go check them out!), Jim Frink on drums, and Jacob Johnson with the magical saxophone. There’s so many wonderful musicians who have supported us so it’s hard to name you all but you know who you are!
You’re celebrating the release with a house concert on October 25. Why did you choose that setting, and what can people expect?
It’s intimate, which I think is the perfect setting for this introspective folky EP that ultimately has a very Davis vibe in my opinion. Our friend Oliver Storian will be joining us and playing some of their own songs, so it’s another way for us to collaborate with our talented community and share an eagerly awaited, long anticipated moment with them. It starts at 3pm. Expect good company and bring some food to share with your neighbors. Check our website or IG for details!
What’s next for Katalysst after the release of Atlas?
We’re planning a big tour this coming summer as well as a few shorter ones, and we are always writing and recording so definitely stay tuned for more new music in 2027. We are hoping to release our first full-length album!
Where Can People Hear More?
Find Katalysst’s music, upcoming shows and updates through the following links:
