Kathy Zhou’s music blurs the boundaries of genre and style, with traces of pop, rock, vintage folk, theatre, and classical. Her signature sound marries her classical piano prowess with witty, imaginative lyrics and haunting, pure, whimsical vocals. Her work has been described as “mesmerizing” by nationally acclaimed performer/producer Miz Stefani, evoking the feeling of being on a stormy island, in a colorful nightmare, or in a dramatic storybook.
Originally from California, Kathy began formal piano training at the age of 7. She spent her childhood training in the classical repertoire and winning nationwide competitions. Kathy then took a break from music when she began her studies at UCLA. While on campus, she exercised her creativity by founding a performing arts outreach club providing students at low income secondary schools opportunities to study theatre and music. The success of this organization led her to join Teach For America in Arkansas after graduation. While teaching high school in rural Arkansas, Kathy was exposed to Memphis, TN’s vibrant musical scene and creative community. She eventually relocated to Memphis and became an Indie piano singer-songwriter.
Kathy released “Strange Child” in 2022. The song's accompanying music video was a finalist in the 2023 Indie Memphis Film Festival. “Strange Child” is a piano-powered, theatrical, folk-rock tale retelling a nightmare Kathy had as a child. The nightmare takes place on a movie-set-like landscape and features a mystical witch, innocent animals, and a younger Kathy. As the song progresses, chaos ensues when the witch gets a subtle eerily fiery attitude and decides to wreak havoc upon the poor creatures around her. The song is powered by Kathy’s piano and vocal narration, and showcases an eclectic mix of instruments, giving the song a uniquely eerie, colorful, rock feel. "Strange Child" can be streamed on all platforms and has an accompanying music video (available on YouTube) starring an all-women cast and featuring a moving aerial silks routine.
In 2024, Kathy’s live performance of “Strange Child” placed in the regional semifinals of the annual statewide Tennessee Songwriters Week competition.
Outside of writing, releasing, and producing her original songs, Kathy specializes in a variety of live performances. From entertaining audiences with lively piano cover requests to sharing songs in an intimate songwriter circle, all her performances bring a unique element of Avant-garde magic and engagement.
