Kate and Kacey
Signing at the Fan Festival – January 9th, 2010
If there’s a point where country music’s best traditions intersect with its future, it may very well be in the music of Kate and Kacey Coppola. Family harmony has always been an integral part of country music and with one listen, it’s obvious the twins have that special vocal magic that runs in the blood. That sibling synergy combined with enviable songwriting chops and an abundance of personality point to a bright future.
“Musically, we always say we’re a mix between the Dixie Chicks and Brooks and Dunn. We’re
Dixie Dunn or Brooks and Chicks, either one,” says Kate as both sisters dissolve in laughter.
Prior to inking a deal with Big Machine Records, Kate and Kacey had already garnered an
enthusiastic legion of fans as contestants on the CMT series “Can You Duet?” where they made
it to the semi-finals. “It was one of the most difficult things in our career and one of the most
rewarding,” says Kacey. “We are here today because of it, and I think it made us so much
stronger.”
In addition to the television exposure, they have also gained notice on Music Row for their
songwriting skills. Signed to EMI Music Publishing, the twosome has already obtained every
songwriter’s dream—-a George Strait cut. “House with No Doors,” which the twins co-wrote with
Jamey Johnson, is on Strait’s current album “Troubadour.”
“We’ve been dreaming about being able to sing together and build a life around music since
we were little girls,” says Kate, born nine minutes before Kacey, “but actually getting the chance
to do it, is a hundred times bigger and better than we could have ever imagined.”
The twins were born in Des Moines, Iowa, but spent most of their childhood in Denver. “We
come from a huge Italian family where there was pasta every Sunday and we were listening to
the Rat Pack constantly,” says Kacey.
The sisters grew up surrounded by music and cite a variety of influences including The Everly
Brothers, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, The Eagles, Martina McBride and the sounds of Motown.
“I think having a diverse musical love has allowed us to explore every sense of who we can be,”
says Kate. “In terms of the great torch singers— Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin—that gave us a
sense of how to sell a song. They sing a song differently and make it their own. Then
songwriters like Patty Griffin, Bob Dylan, Mark Cohn have shown us how to write a great song
that comes completely from the heart. Then there are groups like Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles,
and Alabama, which have that great harmony and the Everly Brothers have that family harmony. We love it all!”
Though they love to listen to it all, when it came to pursuing a career, country music was their
choice. They had moved to the West Coast to attend college at USC, courtesy of music
scholarships, and though they had begun to make inroads as songwriters/background vocalists
in Los Angeles, they wanted to make country music, so a move to Nashville was inevitable. “It
just absolutely fit for us,” says Kacey. “It felt like home.”
Adds Kate, “The values and traditions that country music stands for is exactly in line with
Kacey and I, as performers and artists and daughters and sisters and friends. Like she said, it’s
always felt like home. There’s a place to still believe in those traditions, have hope and a sense
of family.”
Their respect for tradition extends to the studio and their approach as they began to record for
their upcoming album. “When the older music was recorded, they would all pile into a studio and
record a whole song live. We love that,” says Kacey. “When we go into the studio with Nathan,
we really go for live vocals with the band, all one take. It has this energy and magic to it and it’s
stripped down. There’s not too many bells and whistles. It’s really about the vocals and song
which is exactly what we love.”
Less is definitely more when it comes to producing Kate and Kacey. The sisters have a fresh,
vibrant sound anchored by their engaging, high-spirited vocals. They know how to deliver a
song with attitude as evidenced by “You’re Not My Judge,” a feisty response to their experience
on “Can You Duet?” And the twins are equally capable of turning up the heat on a sultry ballad
as they demonstrate on “Love on You.” “Good Life” is a love song the twins wrote for their older
sister’s wedding that shows yet another side of their musicality.
Though they are identical twins, Kate and Kacey Coppola each have very distinct
personalities. “We are as different as night and day,” says Kate. “We’re identical twins, but our
personalities are so different. I am the more serious, responsible and stubborn twin. I’m very
focused and Kacey is more playful, laid back and louder. She jokes around more.”
Kacey sees their differences as a strength. “That’s probably why we are more successful in
doing this together because Kate’s more type A,” she says. “If I were a type A, we would butt
heads constantly. We’d never get anything done.”
So far Kate and Kacey have accomplished quite a bit and they are just getting started. “Our
goal has always been just to enjoy, enjoy, enjoy every step,” says Kacey. “As soon as you stop
enjoying it, that would just be a tragedy. All you can ask for is to find something you love and do
it and from there all good things will come.”
“We’re just like everyone else, just trying to make our way in our little piece of this world,” adds
Kate, “and we believe music is a way to connect. We believe it’s a way to live and to love and
that’s all we want to do.”
