Kate Mills

“It is distinctly possible to stay too long at the fair,” Joan Didion wrote, in “Goodbye to All That,” of her tumultuous first stint in New York as a disillusioned twenty-something.

Kate Mills channels a similar sense of disillusionment in her new single “No Good At Goodbyes,” which premieres today on American Songwriter. But Mills’ problem isn’t staying too long in New York–it’s staying too long in relationships.

“I’ve seen all of the signs / You’ve been missing the spark in your eyes / It’s probably best if we live our own lives / Still I cannot say goodbye,” she croons with a slight country twang over mournful piano and guitar parts that swell then quiet toward the end of the song.


Though Mills initially started writing “No Good At Goodbyes” about a friend, she eventually realized that, at its core, it was a deeply personal number.

“‘No Good At Goodbyes’ started out as a song about a friend of mine who had gone through a break-up,” explains the New York City-based singer-songwriter. “It got me thinking about some of my past relationships, and how I often stayed too long, even when I knew it needed to end. Even though this song was initially inspired by a friend, it is probably one of the most personal songs on the album. Meaning, it is totally true–I am absolutely terrible at goodbyes! Even things like quitting dead-end jobs, or taking down the Christmas decorations are really hard for me!”

Mills says her experience writing “No Good At Goodbyes” was emblematic of her songwriting process in general.


“When I begin a song, usually I start with an initial idea and the overall feel I think would go well with that concept,” says Mills. “Sometimes the feel or groove changes as the song develops, but it’s a starting point. Then I sit down with my piano or guitar and begin to craft the story arc of the song–what I’m really trying to say, where I want it to go, and how I want it to feel to the listener. I play with different melodic or lyrical lines until things start to click into place.”

“No Good At Goodbyes” is the third single off Mills’ forthcoming album, Each Bittersweet Drop, following “Honest Mistakes” and “Outrun the Night.” The latter is especially promising–it’s a foot-stomping “southern-rock” number that sees Mills building up the courage to face her demons: “I’ve got shadows hidden deep inside / I’ve got battles I still need to fight / It’s time to face the monsters / look ‘em in the eye / I’ve tried to hide but I can’t outrun the night.”

Each Bittersweet Drop is Mills’ debut full-length album, following her 2013 EP Little Bird. The album was recorded between Old Bear Studios in Batavia, New York, and New York City’s Retrospace Audio, and produced by Joey Secchiaroli (who is also Mills’ husband and close collaborator).


Mills moved to New York City after earning a degree in social work in her native Philadelphia. She left her job in that field to focus on music full-time, leading her write and record Each Bittersweet Drop. The album is out March 6. - American Songwriter

Research professor, author, and expert of all things emotional (and personal (s)hero) Brené Brown defines vulnerability as “the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome.” And it’s true, isn’t it? When we share our struggles and show our vulnerable sides to others, there’s no guarantee we will receive empathy in return. It takes courage to reach out to others and ask for help when we need it. Our shortcomings make us human, and honestly, our flaws are usually what makes us beautiful. New York City-based artist Kate Mills explores this in “Fall Apart,” the new single from her forthcoming LP Each Bittersweet Drop, set for release on March 6th.

“Like so many people, I don’t like to ask for help, or share when things aren’t going well or I’m struggling,” she says. “I put on a brave face, power through and convince myself and everyone else that I’m ok. But this song came about at a very vulnerable time in my life. I was in the midst of a severe Ulcerative Colitis flare up and taking high doses of steroids, which only made me feel crazy. I was trying so hard to be strong, but what I really wanted was to hide away to a place where I could be scared, and frustrated and let it all out without worrying anyone else.”

“I just need a little grace while I’m looking for a space to fall apart,” she sings and reassures us that it’s okay to let the tears fall. With her direct lyrical approach and matter-of-fact vocal delivery against a cheerful, upbeat, and countrified backdrop, Mills refreshingly lays it all on the table. Vulnerability is not a sign of weakness and Mills captures it beautifully in “Fall Apart.”

Without further ado, Mother Church Pew proudly presents “Fall Apart” by Kate Mills: - Mother Church Pew

Please allow us to introduce you to the one, the only, Kate Mills, a talented young singer-songwriter ready to take on this crazy world of popular music. She brings openness and honesty to her musical approach, recounting her real-life story and putting it to gorgeous music you’ll soon discover on her debut full-length record, Each Bittersweet Drop. Due out this Friday, March 6th, we’re helping to preview the new album with the debut of Mills’ latest single, “Turn To Me,” a piano-heavy musing about life’s ups and downs, and how we ought to take it all in stride.

As Kate further explains, “I was just about to get married when I began writing this song, so I had been reading a lot of articles about what makes relationships successful or not. Oddly enough, that provided some of the initial inspiration for this song (I am a former social worker, after all, and I still love a good psychology article!). It’s kind of a prayer for my own marriage, a long life together, celebrating everything we walked through, both the good and the hard. And hopefully, like good wine, we get better with time. That’s why I chose a line from this song as the title for the album, recognizing that each drop of life, both the bitter and the sweet are important in helping us become who we are meant to be.” - Pure Grain Audio

There’s a catch in Kate Mills‘ voice in the very first line she sings on her new album Each Bittersweet Drop. She longs in that opening track, “Fall Apart,” for “the off-switch to my brain.” As in a musical theater work, it’s her “I want” number. Fortified with a memorable hook and a stirring arrangement, it sets up the whole ride – a ride that does the opposite of falling apart.

These nine tracks sit together very well. Bathed in glowing country-music arrangements, they’re lit by harmonies that betray a fully switched-on creative brain. Those tight, full-throated harmonies also cry “Nashville” – but Mills is a New York City-based artist, with the urbane sophistication to match.


While dealing with standard tropes of love and loss, Mills and her co-writers don’t get stuck in clichés. “Did you think that you could hide behind your stoic stare?” she shouts at a betrayer in the dramatic “What Did You Think?,” a track that recalls Etta James at her most rocking. The steely “Outrun the Night,” about facing your inner demons, could, with a tweaked arrangement, be an anthem by Delta Rae – or even a hard rock band like Halestorm. But its classic-rock drive eases off for a quiet bridge flecked by gentle piano lines – the different facets of Mills and her creative team displayed within the confines of one song.

“Cold Spring” lays out in plain language the mysterious calamity of death. “I don’t understand how this could be part of some divine plan.” Still, the painful loss of a loved one draws poetry from the bereaved: “If the sunlight had just broken through/If this song could have made it to you.”

A different kind of ending is the subject of “No Good at Goodbyes,” which speaks to anyone who has struggled to disentangle from a relationship they know isn’t good for them, and yet…

What makes these time-honored themes work so well is the skillful songwriting – catchy melodies, smart lyrics, solid structure – the sensitively calibrated arrangements, and the well-balanced production by Joseph Anthony Secchiaroli. Secchiaroli also provides excellent bass work – listen to it, for example, in the final track, “Turn to Me.”

A couple of songs sink too far into sentiment for my taste – “No Yellow Brick Road,” “Lights Fade.” But artful arrangements and pretty melodies make them easily listenable, even if less distinguished than the album’s best. And as a whole this concise 35-minute opus punches well above its weight. It should appeal especially to fans of artists like Brandi Carlile and Kacey Musgraves. - Blog Critics

Kate Mills has a musical style that some say harkens back to the Laurel Canyon era of music that spawned the careers of great artists such as Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt. A bit folk, a bit rock and a bit country, Kate's music has a distinct and enjoyable vibe to it.

Kate is just about to release her first full length album. The title of the album is Each Bittersweet Drop. The album contains nine songs and has a play time of thirty-four minutes.

Kate's bio tells about her performing in musical theater as a child alongside talents such as Debbie Gibson. And then during her college years, Kate helped found the band Drive Thru Parking. Leaving that band to begin a solo career, Kate also moved to New York and became immersed in the music scene there. Along the way Kate has garnered a degree in social work, did work in that field, had some serious health issues that she bounced back from, quit work to devote her time and energies into her music and married the guy who'd become her artistic partner.

The album was produced and engineered by Joseph Anthony Secchiaroli. He is one of the founding members of the rock band, The Reign of Kindo, sometimes known as just Kindo. Aside from producing this album, he also played bass and did backing vocals on it.

Other members of Kindo played on the album. Steven Padin did the drums on the album. He's also played drums for Jessie James. Another musician who's played in Kindo and for Jessie James is Rocco DellaNeve. He plays the keys, synth, piano and organ on this album. Along with his stint as tour manager for Kindo, Dave Goodison took time to play electric guitar on the album. Rodney Flood does percussion and backing vocals for Kindo. He lends his voice for backing vocals on this album. And Jeremy Thompson has many musical credits under his belt. He plays both acoustic and electric guitar on the album, along with the mandolin, upright bass and pedal steel.

Beth DeMichele is an actor, dancer and vocalist based in New York City. She's acted in a music video for Kindo. Beth provides backing vocals for the album. Tom DeMichele, besides being Beth's husband, was in the first international tour of Beauty and The Beast and guest starred on Madam Secretary. Tom also provides backing vocals on the album.

Fall Apart has some great country styled music in it. It has a nice, toe tapping beat. Kate's vocals are terrific in a song that tells about hiding away the feelings of thinking that her life is falling apart.

Honest Mistakes is a bit mellower but still with a touch of country flavor. It's about trying to stay the course so she doesn't make the same mistakes in life she'd made before.

What Did You Think? has a kind of bluesy tone mixed with a pop / rock backbeat. It is about her calling him out on his cheating.

I think that my favorite song on the album is Outrun The Night. It has a midrange beat for most of the song. But then the chorus moves things into a sort of slick country / rock tone that kicks it. There are a couple of extra cool spots. One has some terrific piano behind mellow vocals and the other is a short rock guitar bit. Kate sings about not running away from your demons.

No Yellow Brick Road has fluid vocals. It has a definite country tone to it.

Cold Spring has an alt folk / Americana sound. It is a heart tugging song about someone whose addiction got the better of them and ended their life.

Lights Fade is a beautiful love ballad.

Love leaving out the door is endearing in the ballad, No Good At Goodbyes.

The final song on the album is Turn To Me. It is another beautiful love ballad.

Kate lists Diane Birch, Sara Bareilles and Eva Cassidy as a few of the artists who have influenced her. Although those, and other artists, may have helped Kate shape her music, her style seems pretty much her own. Kate provides fluid vocals on the album, uplifting in some places, nearly heartbreaking in others.

Kate Mills may not be very well known at this point. But if this album is any indication, she will, in the not too distant future, be listed on someone else's album as having influenced their music.

Kate has already released a couple of singles from Each Bittersweet Drop. But the full album is set to be released in early March, 2020. - BVS Reviews

Americana Highways brings you this premiere of Kate Mills’ song “What Did You Think?” from her forthcoming album Each Bittersweet Drop. The album was recorded at Old Bear Studio in Batavia NY and End Of Era Studios in NYC; produced, mixed and engineered by Joey Secchiaroli and mastered by Brad Blackwood Euphonic Masters

Each Bittersweet Drop is Kate Mills on lead vocals; Jeremy Thompson on acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and pedal steel; Steven Padin on percussion and drums; Rocca DellaNeve on piano, keyboard, organ, and synths; Joseph Secchiaroli on bass, background vocals; Dave Goodison on electric guitar; and Rodney Flood, Beth Demichele and Tom Demichele on background vocals.

“What Did You Think” is a swaggery, bluesy rock song with a healthy dose of liberation. Kate Mills and the band have created a kickin’ powerhouse of an album.

This is such a cathartic song for me. I’m usually a very positive and empathetic person, so when I get angry about something in real life, I often don’t express it. But that’s why I love music so much – it creates a space where it is ok to experience and express those feelings that are more difficult. This song is so fun to sing because I get to let go and get it out. It often takes me a long time to craft and tweak my songs, but this one came together rather quickly. - Americana Highways

There's always room for another singer/songwriter that can deal with life blows without whining like a professional victim while still keeping it real and relatable. Very much inspired by 70s confessional singer/songwriters, Mills has heart to go with her heart and soul and you can see how she could be the Joni Mitchell of her generation. - Midwest Record

"Sit under Mill's 'Cherry Tree' and see if heals what ails you, even if all you really need is to hear a good song"

-Adam Bernard, arena.com - arean.com

Thank you Kate for helping take away the winter blues with this catchy and uplifting song. Kate's voice is easy to like and her song writing ability is one of a kind. -

With Thoughtful Songs about Life and Love, Captivating and Accomplished Singer-Songwriter, Kate Mills, Puts Us in an Expectant State to Eagerly Await the Release of Her Next Record - Clive Swesky