*Photo by Jeremy Hernandez
The name Katherine Paul may or may not ring any bells. As a musician, Paul has contributed to other Portland acts like Genders and Forest Park, but Paul’s recent output as Black Belt Eagle Scout is of particular noteworthiness.
She doesn’t necessarily fancy herself a songwriter, but what she’s poured into the songs on her sophomore album Mother of My Children speaks otherwiseto her abilities. Queer and indigenous as part of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community of just outside Anacortes, Washington, Paul was already equipped with intriguing stories and experienes to tell. Once she was hit with a couple losses, Paul had even more emotional material.
“It’s about my best friend. We dated for a really long time, and I thought she was gonna be the mother of my children, quite literally," Paul told Seattle’s The Stranger. "And so this past year, I just realized that was never going to happen… I had to let go.”
This, paired with the loss of a dear friend and mentor, bred Mother of My Children. Its songs are cathartic and put together with a particular beautiful sadness. Paul played every instrument herself, from the free Casio that gave"Keyboard" its tunes, to every participating unit that created the loud crashing of "Just Lie Down."
Everything about Mother of My Children is tender and vulnerable, while still possessing a captivating energy. Stream it below.