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REVIEWS:

Kate Mann makes music at Mosgo's
Former high school teacher and current rock singer Kate Mann is making her way down the West Coast to add to her list of loyal fans. After what she describes as "an awakening of sorts," Mann put down her red pen and picked up a guitar, and has been touring and recording ever since. She was born in New Mexico, but currently lives in Portland, Ore. She is coming to Arcata to rock Mosgo's out on March 22 at 8:00 p.m. Her soul-filled sounds will make a perfect way to enjoy the endings of spring break.
Ashley Mackin, The Lumberjack - Section: Community, Issue date: 3/19/08

You can take the singer-songwriter out of the desert ...
Even though she left Albuquerque for the rain-drenched Pacific Northwest more than a decade ago, elements from the state Kate Mann grew up in can still be found in her music and on her back. The gigantic Zia symbol tattooed between the desert-folk artist's shoulder blades isn't the only part of the Southwest that's made its mark on the budding singer-songwriter from Albuquerque. The sounds that flutter out of Mann's acoustic guitar work within the broader genre of Americana, but the landscapes painted in her lyrics bring to mind a highly New Mexicanized vision.
Simon McCormack, Alibi.com V.17 No.14, April 3 - 9, 2008

Kate Mann — Devil's Rope (Orange Dress) :: Kate's got a back tat that's the size of Oregon and a voice that's twice as big. Armed with a guitar and harp, she cranks out a chicken-wired wall of country rock that'll have your toes tappin' while you watch out for flying beer bottles.
Jeffrey Morgan’s Media Blackout
MetroTimes - Detroit, December 12th, 2007


The days of Johnny Cash are long gone, along with the candle he put to the darkened face of Americana. Not the same Americana that one might come across scanning the radio dial; not the sexy tractors, honky tonk badonkadonks or achy breaky hearts. We’re talking passed out in the back of an El Camino with a bottle of whiskey, just before sunrise, hoping to God that the police don’t pick you up at the border. Real Americana. It’s easy to see Kate Mann writing “Devil’s Rope” in a situation like this one or on the top of a desert plateau gazing off into the endless wastelands of the Southwest....
Read the full review here.
Wanka Vision, July 15th, 2007


“Devil’s Rope, (Kate Mann’s) second album, shows her confidence growing, her sound toughening, and her future brightening.”
Marty Hughley, The Oregonian A&E

“Kate Mann is much more than a pretty face with an acoustic guitar. She is an artist in every sense of the word, and her music speaks volumes way beyond her years. The New Mexico native’s style was shaped by her surroundings of endless skies and vast deserts, giving her a Southwestern disposition that is a little bit treacherous. Affected by such artists as PJ Harvey, Townes Van Zandt and Tom Waits, Mann possesses a gritty and somewhat jagged sound as she enlists unusual chord progressions to accompany her gruff vocals. While she writes with abstract metaphors that could be construed as idiosyncratic, her messages come across compellingly clear. Since her arrival to the West Coast a decade ago, Mann has become one of Portland’s most recognizable talents, winning audiences throughout the entire Northwest. Mann’s debut disc, November Songs, was released last year. This first outing was recorded live in the studio in a single weekend, and it shows — I mean that in a good way though. The disc captures Mann raw and exposed. The minimalism of each song is refreshing as she takes you on a dark journey to the corner of her soul.”
Tony Engelhart,Weekly Volcano

“November songs is a solid debut CD for Kate Mann. The spare but beautiful instrumentation is subsumed by her vocal style to draw attention to the earnest, pointed lyrics sung in a powerful yet fragile voice. On songs like “Good Girl”, her voice is smooth as silk, but on most it trembles with barely in-check passion. Mann is not to serious that she can’t show her playful side, though, as on “Random Observations” with lyrics drawn from childrens’ nursery rhymes.”
Mel Goldsipe, GoGirlsMusic.com

“...In the middle spot is mournful, soulful balladeer Kate Mann, whose stunning debut CD “November Songs” is filled with Kate’s art house, slightly European-sounding creations. These bare bones, moody songs are augmented by a string bass that is sometimes bowed, adding greatly to the atmosphere: one that is smoky, sensual and yet intellectual.”
Andre Haggastadt, Beach Connection

“...some songs have been very economically arranged and others have a much richer, deeper sound. The CD has a variety of interesting pieces to offer with varying themes. Some are simply splendid, full of fire and passion, and they show that Kate Mann sparkles with self-confidence. Especially fans of PJ Harvey and Gillian Welch should listen to this CD. It's a debut of a very sophisticated, rare singer-songwriter.”
Rootstime Online Magazine, Belgium
translated by Gary Lorentzen

“...Mann presents 12 numbers she wrote herself and all have their own beauty. Sometimes they sound sad. She brings it in a forceful way to explain the message in the song. The text is very worthwhile; intelligent and thoughtful. The somber instrumentation gives an extra intensity. For all lovers from Gillian Welch I can recommend this. November songs is music for the whole year.”
***4 out of 5 galloping horses!***
Peter Pleyte, altcountry.nl online magazine, Holland
translated by Hans Oregan

“...graceful songstress”
Willamette Week