For Kate Plummer, life and music have always been about the journey, never the destination. More about throwing yourself into the deep end in every way you can, without a paddle, but occasionally, a kayak ... just to get you into a rhythmic, musical groove.

About writing songs with only your guitar to talk to. Far away from what you know. Home in the Crossing is about being displaced from your roots and your family. It's no small wonder then that half of the album was written far from Australian shores – from the middle of Lake Superior in Minnesota (Manitou Crossing), to a Manhattan apartment rooftop with views straight to the Empire State (The New York Song), from staring at the Colorado Rockies to wandering along the streets of Paris, Barcelona and Budapest.

It's about how you feel when you get home to your life, and you're missing those people you've left behind (Summer Mountain). About revealing your true self to people you've known 10 minutes, in a way you wouldn't to someone you've known 10 years. "Traveling by yourself, you don't have the chance to be insular," says Kate. "It forces you to start conversations with other people – to get out and see things."

But for Kate Plummer life and music were always going to be this way.

Growing up in Sydney, she was the girl with the rare guitar talent, who was influenced early on by the varied musical tastes of her equally musical family – from Eric Clapton to James Taylor, The Police to Cold Chisel, Pink Floyd to Jimi Hendrix. Oh, and of course The Beatles.

"For me, it's always been more about the songwriting and guitar-playing."

With this in mind, Kate bought in her great friend, vocalist Trish Delaney-Brown (The Idea of North), to sing on the one co-written track, The Goodbye.

Home in the Crossing is produced by the Midnight Oil legend Jim Moginie and in him Plummer couldn't have wished upon a better musical fit if she'd tried. The comfy, home-like vibe of Jim's studio, located right around the corner from Kate's place – along with drinking endless cups of coffee in the back garden – matched perfectly the sound that Kate dreamed of. It had to be vintage, and sonically beautiful. Add a Wurlitzer, '76 Fender Jazz Bass, '64 Ludwig Drum Kit, Mandola, Harmonium, Moog, Gibson Tennessean, Martin OOOM28, Fender Tele, an empty Heineken bottle and vintage '55 Les Paul Gold Top and the desired result was realized.

Kate played all of the guitars on the record. Longtime friends, bassist Mike Whyte and drummer Lloyd G were right there with her as well as celloist Sophie Glasson who added beautiful strings to The Trade, Hidden Wings and Summer Mountain.  Engineer Brent Clark joined Jim for the mixing process.

"Working with Jim has been like wearing a big smile for a month," says Kate. "For me, musically, to be in a situation where you're learning, surrounded by fantastic people, beautiful instruments and you've got the incredible support of people like Jim, you can't help but be overwhelmed." 

Now, Kate Plummer is finally home in the crossing. And it's exactly where she wants to be.

TIFFANY BAKKER
April, 2007

For more info on Kate's music and upcoming gigs, go to her my space page.