Artists of El Camino: Kyle Katano

“I started out playing the guitar at church when I was nine and I would play with my dad every weekend and that’s pretty much what got me started with playing and singing,” Kyle Katano, 21, music, said. “I was partly influenced by my dad and partly because I really wanted to learn and be immersed in music. What motivates me is my mom, she always takes care of me and we support each other, [and] even though we’re kind of low on money, she definitely motivates me to keep going to college and pursuing my major. My guitar teacher [motivates me] too, [his name is] Professor Jon Minei. I try to illustrate my emotions, what I’m feeling at the moment. Unless it’s a paid job or assignment, then I have to write what they tell me to write about. I’ve been paid to write for a professional singer who was in a band named Sixx:A.M. [When I write] the melody and chords are spontaneous, but the subject is always lingering. I think about what I’m going to write about first and then the music part comes out right then and there. It’s kind of funny because I actually write music when I’m feeling depressed or sad. I like to write when I just had a good experience meeting someone or the other way around. The reason I write is different every time.”