Katie, Author at Katie de Veau

Now and Evermore on SongQuest Spring 2016

15/04/2016 By Katie

After a big week starting off 7 days ago with the release of the new album, ‘Brand New Day’, we’ve been writing articles, doing interviews and answering lots of questions.

A big thank you to everyone who has offered their support for the release of the album, especially everyone who came to the release night last Friday, it was fantastic.

Now and Evermore is on SongQuest Spring 2016

Now for some more great news and I would love your support for’Now and Evermore on SongQuest Spring 2016

I’ve been entered into Praise Charts, SongQuest Spring 2016 top 25 with a song titled ‘Now and Evermore’ from my new album. Surprise of surprises, it’s made it into the top 25; that’s a real honour.

Because so many people have been a part of the release of the album, I would like to say ‘thank you’.

For recognising the support and love from everyone, can you show your support by recognising the song ‘Now and Evermore’ with a vote in this competition.

How you you can help…

Can you please jump on over to SongQuest Spring 2016 and

Listen to the song
Cast a ‘Like’ vote, if you like it
Share this message and link with your friends!

Note! There is another fine song called ‘Brand New day’ by Wirawit Dhanasunthorn, don’t be confused, that’s not me.

Check out the behind the scenes video of ‘Now and Evermore’

When we made the album, we did a behind the scenes video so you check out some of the making of ‘Now and Evermore’ over at YouTube here!

Till next time

Katie

An Unexpected Visitor

08/11/2010 By Katie

We recently spent a day doing a photo shoot and exploring concepts for artwork for the new album.

During the day we were taking photos at an old country church outside a small town. Suddenly, what seemed like out of nowhere, a very cute dog appeared.

He was well fed and looked after and was probably from one of the various farms nearby. He was very friendly, and very keen on being in nearly every shot. So he is. He ended up spending the day with us.

I think he gives the photos character and life, and a bit of a country dog smell. I wonder if one day someone will pick up the album and think…”Why is my dog there???”

Sometimes surprise visitors are nice.

Blessings,
Katie

The Power of Connection

27/09/2010 By Katie

Last night I did a coffee shop gig. I loved every minute of it. I feel at so at home connecting to people through song.

A couple of weeks ago I went to my school reunion, and connected with friends from years ago. In some ways, none of us had changed.

We slipped back into old relationships like we had never been apart. Yet we had been apart, for quite some time, and for many of us there were pieces missing and there wasn’t enough time to fill all the gaps.

For the most part, the weekend was filled with laughter and great memories and I loved it. At times, however, there was a hint of sadness. Sadness for those who are experiencing broken relationships with each other or family members. Sadness for those who don’t want to see each other again because of past hurts.

It has made me realise how much I love people, and how important relationships are. They are worth treasuring through the years. People are worth remembering. Taking time to connect is priceless.

I’m sure there’s a song in that…..

Blessings Katie

The Art of Songwriting

18/09/2010 By Katie

Steve & Katie

I recently spent the weekend with my producer and mentor going over songs for the new album. It was a lot of fun, but hard work.

Chords, melody line, lyrics, structure all needed to be justified. One of the best things about rewriting with someone else, is that you get to look at your songs from another angle.

Sometimes what you thought you meant to write actually comes across as something else. Sometimes just changing one chord can bring a dead phrase to life. Sometimes I get lazy with a certain song, and don’t want to push through the pain of making it better.

I got pushed. It was just what I needed to take me into the realm of the art songwriting. I don’t want to just write another song…there are plenty of them in the world. I want each song I write to be more than just another song, but something of beauty, substance, and unique design.

She Is

03/08/2010 By Katie

I am currently working on some old songs, and getting them up to a standard to put into the “maybe I will record this” pile. I wrote a song a couple of years ago for my daughters. It is called “She Is”.

When I wrote it I wasn’t sure what was going to emerge, but what emerged was a song about what makes a woman beautiful and captivating. At the moment I have two girls who love to get muddy and don’t care if they don’t colour coordinate and have brushed hair. They love to laugh and rumble, and dig in the garden and go fishing at the river.

As I have been working through this song again, it has connected to me in a new way. It has reminded me about some truths for myself. I was looking at my hands yesterday, and realising that they look a lot older than the last time I looked! This song has come from deep within, and it is what I yearn to be seen as, regardless of my age or appearance. A woman of faith and substance, a woman of joy and dignity, a woman of God.

My prayer is that this song will connect with my girls when they are older, and remind them of my prayers for them.

Alive and well

07/06/2010 By Katie

It has been an intense few weeks. My weekend away was amazing. I finished my song, “Breathe”, and was refreshed and renewed.

I then ran two worship retreats for two different churches that I am currently consulting with, facilitated a band workshop and launched a new service at another church.

For the next 10 weeks or so, I am predominately concentrating on writing, with a few workshops and gigs peppered in between. I have been so excited to see what God is doing in the local church in Australia, and yet at the same time, I am aware that spiritual drought and apathy are still alive and well.

Yet the Spirit of God is also alive and well. I have witnessed a spontaneous baptism in the river late at night, people joyfully engaging in creative forms of worship, and committed churches addressing history and dysfunctionality as they look to the future of their worship ministry.

Yes, He too is alive and well.!!

Blessings Katie

The Gift of Time

10/05/2010 By Katie

I will be away all weekend…writing. Already the creative juices have begun to flow simply in anticipation!

Early this morning, a lyric began to form in my head for the new song I have been working on. Finally. It’s funny how some songs simply need room to breathe and they gently flow out. At this stage, the song is called “Breathe.” It fits in with a worship retreat I am running with the same name. In fact, The melody came to me the morning I woke up with the concept of that retreat….I think I will stick with, workshop it on the weekend, and see what happens.

Maybe I will even sing it at the retreat. I will sing it to my kids first…they will tell me if it’s ready for a public hearing yet. If I am told I am too loud, or to keep quiet, or Mummy you are too noisy, I think I’ll book another writing weekend away and keep working on it!

Blessings Katie

My New Melody

28/04/2010 By Katie

I have had a melody stuck in my head for a few weeks now. It is pretty,
light, and joyous. For the first time in a long time, I can not find
words to match it.

It simply floats around my head at odd times in my
day, always the same, and quite complete. I think I am lacking space to
sit and let it breathe. When I do give it the time it deserves, as in
the past, words will flow. If not, I will leave it for a while.

I don’t seem to be someone who can force a song. For me, a song is gently born,
some faster than others. Meanwhile, I will sit back and simply hum.

Blessings

Katie

Worship Ministry

14/04/2010 By Katie

I have been working with three churches over the past past few months within the sphere of worship ministry. As always, I find it fascinating, energising, and rewarding work. I also find it such a privilege to be invited into a church to support and encourage this ministry. However, I don’t know if there is anything else more uniting and dividing in a church than the forms of worship it may or may not adopt.

I have been consulting with churches for several years now and each one is so different, yet one thing is always the same. Whether I am in the city or country, a small church or a large church, someone has been hurt. Someone has been bruised. Someone is angry. Someone is discontent.

It seems to be so in worship ministry more than other spheres within the church. Is it because this type of ministry attracts creative people who are usually sensitive souls? Is it that we join creative ministry with the desire to create and unfortunately our egos grow and get in the way? Is it that we as a church have, in our attempt to be contemporary thrown out the baby with the bath water?

As I prepare to run several worship retreats over the next few months I pray that we may always return to the essence of worship, regardless of the form. That authentically bowing down before God will be our primary motive in all we do and say within worship ministry.

As we all do this, maybe hearts will be healed, vision will grow, community will build, people will unreservedly serve. Then again, maybe I am blissfully naive

Blessings Katie

An Inspirational Visit

27/03/2010 By Katie

I went to an exhibition last week. I sat in a room with paintings by Monet and Van Gough and I confess I blubbered. I didn’t reach the ugly crying stage, but I definitely had a teary moment.

To sit in the presence of something so beautifully crafted, despite the 50,000 other people who were fighting to get a glimpse, was inspirational. I’m sure that when they did those paintings they had no idea the impact their creations would have on the world.

As I admired the colour, the form, the texture, of each painting I wondered if anything I ever wrote or created would impact another person. I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to appreciate another person’s creative work.

I wrote a song this morning as I woke up. This hasn’t happened for a long time. The melody was buzzing in my brain as I opened my eyes, and I have been singing it all day.Creating something is joyous, but also painful at times. Today, it has been a joy. And I am thankful. Maybe, someone, someday will be filled with gratitude for something I have pursued to create.

Katie