Readers’ choice

Kate Cotter has had a great year with the release of her second album, August. The readers of the Reno News & Review must have taken notice (or maybe it was her active live performance schedule), but they picked her as the No. 1 Local Musician with the No. 1 Local Album. It’s always really gratifying to be able to tell the recipient of our readers’ poll that they took first place and have it mean something. For those who haven’t heard the cuts from Cotter’s latest album, check out Myspace.com/katecotter.

Did you know you won Best Local Musician in our Best of Northern Nevada readers’ poll?

Really? You’re kidding.

No way. How’s it feel to have been selected by the reading public as the Reno News & Review’s best local musician?

Oh, man, I don’t know how to answer that question. Anything I say is going to sound cheesy, Brian.

This is the kind of moment when you’re supposed to sound cheesy.

Very excited. I just forgot it was the “Best of” [time]. I’m surprised and encouraged.

This has been a big year for you. You’ve released your second album. Do you think that’s part of why you were selected for this? You’ve got to be doing pretty well to get these kinds of votes.

I don’t know for sure, but I would be stoked if that was part of the reason. I am really happy with this album, and I’m really proud of it. I’d be thrilled if people liked it enough to vote for me.

How are things going?

Things are going really well, actually. I’ve had the opportunity to submit a lot of material and be a part of a couple compilations, and I’ve started writing new music, and there’s been some really cool benefits that I’ve been asked to be a part of.

Have you been playing live outside of town?

I’ve been staying pretty close to Reno, right now. I also have an agency that books me for colleges, so I will be doing some of that in the spring.

I’ve heard you are focusing on music and not working at the restaurant anymore. Is that true?

I’m doing music full-time. It’s been glorious actually. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in trying to do the business end of it. You don’t have time to rehearse and write and sort of cultivate the creative process. That’s really important to me.

So what else should we talk about, Kate? I know you were so fully prepared for this phone call.

This is really cool. But—wow—thank you, that makes my whole month!

[Laughs] That makes my whole four hours! That means you’re going to have to come to the Best Of party. It’s that invite-only thing we have at 210 North.

I guess it’s more accurate to say that being voted “Best” makes me feel like a celebrity.

Does it really?

I was kind of being facetious.

It’s pretty cool. There are a lot of bands in town and a lot of pretty well-known players.

That’s exactly my sentiment. There are a lot of bands in town and a lot of people who deserve to be No. 1, and I’m super-stoked and surprised that I was voted that, and it’s really great news.