Kat and the Hurricane

Kat and the Hurricane is an all-queer and trans synth rock/indie-pop band from Madison, WI composed of guitarist/vocalist Kat Rhapsody (they/them), keyboardist/vocalist Benjamin Rose (they/them), and drummer Alex Nelson (they/them). The band has stirred up a storm across the Midwest since 2017 thanks to their energetic live shows, strong sense of community, and genre-defying songwriting. While preparing their debut full length album, Got It Out, the trio has appeared at several regional and national festivals, completed 3 regional and national tours, and received the coveted Artist of The Year award from their local Madison Area Music Association.

Got It Out, released in October 2024, represents a new high in Kat and the Hurricane's craft of catharsis. Seamlessly weaving elements of synth rock, pop punk, indie-pop, alternative rock, indie-folk, and hip-hop across ten tracks, the band speaks to the growing pains of mental health and trauma healing. From the raucous stadium rock anthem, “Therapy,” high-energy pop-punk confessional “Caffeine & Alcohol,” and lush indie-pop closer, “Smoke,” Kat and the Hurricane illustrates how, even with some healing and a lot of getting it out, pain never truly goes away - it simply shifts.

When asked what it means to be visible as an all-queer band, Kat and the Hurricane express gratitude at being able to be the representation they needed when they were younger, citing the challenges openly LGBTQ+ artists have endured in decades past. Yet, while the band is proud to show up for their queer and trans fanbase, their genre-fluid music touches the ears and hearts of many. Drawing on varied influences from 2000s pop/rock (The Killers, Walk the Moon, Paramore, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World) to today's sapphic music legends (Tegan & Sara, girl in red, MUNA, Chappell Roan), the new album explores themes of mental health, healing, and learning to love who you are - themes that anyone can relate to.