Kate Renegade

Kate Renegade is a heavy pop / rock & roll project out of Chicago.  Their songs are a deft mix of vintage rock storytelling à la The Replacements or The Pretenders, with a contemporary sound that smolders at its edges. 

The sometimes soft, sometimes fierce vocals of frontwoman Steph Maieritsch impart an unapologetic intimacy, while the contributions of bandmates Noah Vandercook, Eric Unger, and Tommy Owley (aka Bix Trash) help create finely-crafted pieces that combine assured pop instincts with a true rock grit. Or, as the Chicago Tribune put it: “deep lyrics and tightly-constructed instrumentation packed into a few minutes.” 

The band met in 2015, and played numerous shows around the Chicago area under their former band name, Nest.  After embarking on a midwest tour and developing new material, they were reborn as Kate Renegade - a name that more accurately reflects their music: fierce and focused, heavy and melodic, tough and emotive. 

In 2018 they released their sophomore album New Unquiet Life, recorded with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio.  Late that same year, they lost their guitarist and dear friend Tommy as he crossed over out of this life.  They still miss that goofball. A lot. 

As of now Kate Renegade is on a possibly permanent hiatus (is permanent hiatus even a thing?!) But one never knows what the future may bring. Thanks as always for listening!