She’s been compared to Kate Bush and Karen Carpenter. She writes love songs inspired by Midsomer Murders. And she once told her producer she was going to marry a man she’d just met – then put his name in a song.
Meet Alex Kate, the rising London singer-songwriter who is about to headline her biggest show yet at the iconic Troubadour in Chelsea. We caught up with her ahead of the gig to talk murder mysteries, marble angels, and why she’s a matcha girl in a coffee world.
First, the important details
Alex Kate is bringing her ethereal, rock-pop sound to The Troubadour, 263-267 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 9JA on Wednesday 27th May 2026. She’ll be joined by special guests Natalie Gray and Mobi1.
Tickets are on sale now – and they’re moving fast.
Click here to book your tickets
The interview
Monica: Alex, you’ve been described as reminiscent of both Kate Bush and Karen Carpenter. That’s a wild combination – ethereal head voices and warm, heartbreaking richness. Do you ever feel like you’re hosting a duet between two musical ghosts in your own throat?
Alex: That’s such a lovely comparison, although I could never fill the shoes of either of those artists. What they’ve really given me is permission to embrace my own voice and individuality. I was classically trained and originally wanted to be an opera singer, so for a long time I didn’t know how that world could exist within pop music. Kate Bush showed me that you can bring operatic drama and theatricality into pop, while Karen Carpenter gave me confidence to lean into warmth, intimacy, and my more folk-inspired side.
Monica: You wrote your single Lost in You after watching a murder mystery programme. I need specifics. Was it Midsomer Murders? Broadchurch? A particularly emotional episode of Death in Paradise? And what exactly about fictional death inspired such a tender love song?
Alex: It actually was Midsomer Murders! The funny thing is, the song itself had absolutely nothing to do with murder mysteries. Inspiration works in very strange ways sometimes. I think we absorb so much subconsciously – stories, emotions, imagery – and it all sort of marinates beneath the surface until suddenly something bursts out creatively. That night, Lost in You just arrived completely unexpectedly.
Monica: You compare your songwriting process to Michelangelo chipping angels out of marble. That’s very poetic. But be honest – have you ever chipped away at a song for weeks only to realise it was actually just a block of cheese? (We’ve all been there.)
Alex: Absolutely, I have many strong Roqueforts sitting in my songwriting larder! Part of the process is learning to recognise when a song has potential, but also knowing when to let go. There are definitely songs that may never see the light of day, but interestingly, they often come back to me years later while I’m out walking or making tea or doing something completely ordinary. I really believe timing is everything with music. Some songs are waiting for the right moment, and others are simply meant for you privately as part of your own creative journey.
Monica: Your video for Lost in You was shot in the Karoo desert during the heaviest rain in ten years. You drove 500 kilometres, ended up in a whiteout, and got no sunset or stars. Was there a moment where you and your director looked at each other and thought, “We’ve made a terrible mistake”? And how do you feel about the finished video now?
Alex: Honestly, I’m very much a go-with-the-flow kind of artist. Since then, I even shot another video, Summersuits, during constant rain at what was supposed to be a huge summer party shoot! So I think I’ve learned to embrace chaos a little bit. My crew were incredible and somehow we always find a way to make things work. I’m definitely a glass-half-full person – I’d rather enjoy the adventure and see what unexpected magic comes from it.
Monica: You’ve said you filmed in Cape Town two years in a row because you have family there. What’s the weirdest thing a relative has said to you while you were trying to look moody and artistic in front of a camera?
Alex: It’s actually been five years in a row now! My more recent videos, including Dare Me Greatly, were all shot in Cape Town. I absolutely love it there. My family are wonderfully supportive, so thankfully there haven’t been too many strange comments while I’m trying to be dramatic on camera. The real complaints usually happen off set, because in my downtime I’m not always in the mood for photos – so they’re normally trying to drag me into group pictures at restaurants while I’m attempting to hide in the background.
Monica: Your EP is called Rebel for Love. That sounds wonderfully defiant. What’s the most rebellious thing you’ve ever done in the name of love? (Doesn’t have to be romantic – could be love of music, love of a good cheese toastie, etc.)
Alex: I definitely wear my heart on my sleeve. My upcoming single, LOVE (which people will hear at my Troubadour show on 27th May before it releases on 5th June) was actually written the same week I met my now fiancé. I remember turning to my producer, Mitch Parks, and saying, “I’m going to marry him.” Then we wrote this song with Ivey Asher about running off to Vegas and getting married. It felt very bold because I actually put his name in the song – there’s nowhere to hide after that! So yes, I think being fearless and honest in love is probably my version of rebellion.
Monica: What’s the one song you’re most nervous to perform live – and why is it the one where you have to hit that ridiculous high note?
Alex: Probably my unreleased song Deeper Magic. There are a few pretty demanding high notes and some interval jumps that definitely keep me on my toes. I love the challenge of it, but it’s one of those songs where you really have to be fully present – vocally and emotionally – every single time you perform it.
Monica: You’ve got 12.7k followers on TikTok and 9.1k on Instagram. Be honest: which platform do you secretly enjoy more, and have you ever accidentally liked a post from 2014 while deep-scrolling at 2am?
Alex: I genuinely enjoy them both for different reasons. I love TikTok for the live interaction and spontaneity, whereas Instagram feels a little more curated and visual. And yes, absolutely, I have accidentally liked old posts while doom?scrolling. I try to avoid disappearing too far down the TikTok rabbit hole though, because the algorithm knows me far too well at this point.
Monica: If you could write a song for any fictional character (book, film, TV), who would it be and what would the title be? (I’m personally voting for Miss Marple: “I Knew It Was the Gardener All Along”.)
Alex: I love Miss Marple – that’s actually such a brilliant title idea. I think I’d probably write something inspired by Boudicca. I know she’s technically historical rather than fictional, but she was such an extraordinary, fearless woman. Honestly, even talking about it now is making me feel inspired – you may have accidentally given me my next song concept.
Monica: Finally – and this is the important one – what’s your go-to snack while you’re chipping away at those marble angels? Because if the answer isn’t “chocolate,” we’re going to need a detailed explanation.
Alex: It’s definitely chocolate. No question. Although if I’m completely honest, when I’m really deep in a creative flow state, I almost forget to eat or drink altogether because I become so focused on the music. I actually have to remind myself to drink water and stay hydrated.
Quick?fire round (because we’re nosy)
- Kate Bush or Karen Carpenter? Kate Bush, always.
- Synth pop or rock pop? Rock pop.
- Desert shoot or studio shoot? Studio shoot – there’s so much more versatility and freedom.
- Tea or coffee while writing? Neither – I’m a matcha girl.
- Murder mystery or rom-com? Murder mystery.
- One word to describe your upcoming EP? Magic.
After her show at The Camden Club last year, we wrote:
“Alex Kate exudes a natural ability to connect with people. From the moment she stepped on stage, she radiated warmth and charisma… a future star in the making.”
You can read the full review on our website here.
See her live – before she’s playing stadiums
If you want to catch Alex Kate up close and personal, this is your chance. The Troubadour is an intimate, legendary venue (Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Adele have all played there). Expect soaring vocals, clever lyrics, and a room full of people who appreciate proper songwriting.
When: Wednesday 27th May 2026
Where: The Troubadour, 263-267 Old Brompton Road, London SW5 9JA
With: Natalie Gray + Mobi1
Tickets: Grab yours here – and don’t sleep on it.
Photo credit: Aidan Tobias
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
