Kate Schell is an independent Chicago-based electro-folk/pop musician who is pleased to announce the launch of her new solo album, Past Present Future.

She is formerly known as the lead singer, songwriter, pianist, and trumpet player for the band Paper Thick Walls, who was named one of Chicago’s top five emerging artists by both Deli Chicago and Chicago Magazine. Since the band break-up, Schell has been crafting her new album alongside her producer, Stefan Clark, and sound engineer, Mat Lejeune, from Chicago Recording Company.

Her style mixes folky vocals layered with electronica production pulling from influences like Bat for Lashes and Bjork.  Schell started playing piano at the age of 6, writing at the age of 13, and has continued to write and perform ever since. Past Present Future is a compilation of her best songs written over the past decade. It is about her personal growth through a series of events from her past that have shaped who she is as an artist today.

Our past and present blend to create our future, much like a phoenix dying and then rising from the ashes with a new life. This concept is captured by having some untouched old songs, some untouched new songs, and some that fall between the two. Because this structure captures years of her growth as an artist, you can hear the transformation of Schell’s songwriting style change, often within a single song.