Del sits down with an artist on the FOTN radar and gets them to tell their origin story over a cup of tea and biscuits. This week, Kat Button is in the hotseat and she brought chocolate digestives.

Hello Kat how are you?

I’m good thank you Del. My debut album is out and I have a cup of Earl Grey tea so life is good.

Congratulations on the release of “Refocus” how does it feel?

Thank you! A whole mix of emotions ; pride , relief, nerves , panic , self-doubt, excitement and wondering ‘why did it take so long!’ I know that releasing albums aren’t as popular anymore but releasing an album was on my bucket list because I wanted it to document a particular journey.

It’s a ten track album what’s your favourite track from it?

I think my favourite track from the album is ‘Happy Place.’ I love adding synths , arpeggiators and stacked harmonies and this track has these in abundance. I am a huge fan of 90’s dance music and this track is a definite nod to this time. There’s a bit of Moby influence in there too. Happy Place is euphoric and joyful and has been the soundtrack to many kitchen discos. I particularly love the final drop in it where the symth is synthing and the bass is bassing.

What was the easiest and most challenging part of recording it?

The easiest part was working with my recording engineer Will. It is so important to find a producer/ engineer that understands your vision. We work really well together and he’s amazing at what he does. I produced the track at home, then I went to his studio and he altered some parts and made some suggestions for fills and added guitar .He then recorded my lead and backing vocals, piano and synths and mixed and mastered it .

The hardest part is knowing when a track is finished and when to leave it as it is. I have a very hyperactive mind and am often bombarded with ideas. This has its positives but it makes it hard to make decisions on what makes it into the track!

Be honest – how many cups of tea did you consume in the process?

Put it this way, the local supermarket probably had to restock the tea aisle several times !

(Note from Del: This is how we bonded – she has a… love for tea and she even wrote a song about it.)

What’s a stand out memory from the recording sessions?

My first ever recording session was Friday 8th September 2023 and I recorded Begging You To Go. There are no words to describe the elation I felt when finally stepping into that recording booth and recording the vocals . Hearing the recording in full for the first time is something I’ll never forget.

You are a singer songwriter that’s not related to Jenson Button how did it all begin for you?

Unfortunately no relation. If I was I would probably afford to have a mountain top recording studio with a sea view and fields of alpacas. Although I have randomly had a drink at Jenson’s local pub. Also, a few years ago, when Jenson was still driving, pupils at the school I was working at at the time said I was married to Jenson. I didn’t correct them!

I knew music was going to be a big part of my life from an early age. My earliest musical memory was at the age of 3 when I was performing the classic tune Jingle Bells as part of the pre-school nativity. My parents have this brilliant picture of that nativity where the 3 other children have their sleigh bells and look like they want the ground to swallow them up. Then there’s me, with the biggest grin on my face, living my best life, shaking those sleigh bells as if my life depended on it!

What did you listen to growing up?

Although my parents don’t play instruments, they love music. I grew up listening to a 60’s radio station called Capital Gold. I used to listen to it with my Dad every evening and we particularly enjoyed listening to The Beatles , Manfred Man , Buddy Holly, The Who , The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Hollies, The Seekers and Del Shannon ( great name, obviously)

We also used to listen to a lot of Abba. Every New Year’s Day for 15 years, my dad used to play ‘Happy New Year’ by Abba. It was a bit predictable but a lovely tradition.

In the early 90’s my Dad introduced me to the French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre. He was so beyond his time and he’s one of my biggest musical influences. I must have watched his Paris La Defense concert on VHS (For the benefit of your younger readers, the things that existed before DVD’s) at least 500 times in a year. (I still watch the London Docklands concert on YouTube! Del)

We will gloss over the fact that the first CD I ever bought was by Mr Blobby. Everybody makes mistakes.

You have a mission to share the reality of living with mental ill health, whilst sharing hope. What is the one stigma you’d like to break about living with it?

The sentence that winds me up the most is when somebody say ‘I’m a little bit OCD’. I hope that my music will give some insight into what OCD is and how debilitating it can be. Also, that it can and will get better.

In a world where hope seems to dry up just as quickly as it comes, what is the one thing that keeps you focused and knowing that things will get better?

Music has been one of the main constants in my life. It has been the thing that has helped me document my life, has cheered me up when I’m down and been my trusty companion on the good days. My husband and children are musical too and it has the same effect on them too. Playing the piano with my family is one of the best things ever. If I’m struggling or had a bad day, I will go straight to my home studio, create and all will be much better once more.

You’re an avid tea drinker – how do you like your tea?

Milk, no sugar please Del if you’re putting the kettle on. I don’t mind how weak or strong my tea is. It always tastes better if I don’t have to make it.

What are you listening to at the moment?

So as a parent and teacher, I hear the music from K Pop Demon Hunters A LOT. Oh and a certain song advertising a certain holiday company.

When I’m listening for me, I absolutely adore Aurora so I’m listening to her back catalogue, again. I saw her in London in May and everything about the gig was breathtaking. She’s also absolutely bonkers. I would love to invite her round for a tea. I think we would be get on!

I’m also in my EDM era. Loving the music of David Puentez, Nash, Elysian and Sacel . And of course I love listening to and supporting the Indie Artist community.

What are you looking forward to doing next?

I’ ll be in the studio in the next couple of weeks recording my next single releases. I will release my next single in January. Until then , I will be promoting the album.

And I just want to announce you as the winner of Best Interview Questions 2025. Congratulations, Del 🤣🤣🤣

Thankyou!