Wonder Women: Trish Doan

This month’s edition of Wonder Women features Trish Doan, a Canadian musician and former bassist for Kittie. She was born on May 9, 1985, in Gwangju, South Korea, but later relocated with her family to Canada. In addition to bass, she played guitar since age 13 and was the lead guitarist in the band Her in London, Ontario. She left Her in August 2003 to focus on college, and in 2006 she graduated from Sheridan College, earning a diploma in Film and Television Production.

Trish joined Kittie in 2005 as the replacement for bassist Jennifer Arroyo. She initially had an unsuccessful audition for the guitar spot. Still, after hearing the band had an opening for a bass player, she auditioned again and made it into the band.

Doan can be heard on Kittie’s 2006 EP Never Again and the band’s fourth full-length album released in 2007, Funeral For Yesterday. The album was recorded at RetroMedia Sound Studios in Red Bank, New Jersey, between July and August 2006.

Doan went on a US tour with the band to support the release from February to May 2007, but she was sidelined for the Sweet Revenge tour from July to September 2007. An eating disorder, anorexia-athletica-nervosa, had developed during the recording sessions for Funeral for Yesterday, and her condition was getting worse. She stated, “It breaks my heart to say goodbye to this family that has given me the best two years of my life, I wish my time with Kittie did not have to end, but this decision was made based on doctors’ orders. Unfortunately, this is the only option that will allow for my full recovery.”

Doan recovered from her disorder and rejoined the band in 2012 after the departure of Ivana “Ivy” Vujic. Trish learned the music from the two albums the band had recorded during her hiatus, In the Black and I’ve Failed You. Doan had also been helping out with the organization of a documentary about the band, Kittie: Origins/Evolutions (2018), before her unexpected death at the age of 31 in 2017.

The band posted of Doan’s passing “She was so much more than just a musician or member of the band. She was our blood, our sister and family. Finding our way without her will be challenging, like a ship without a lighthouse, and we are devastated.”

Kittie’s vocalist, Morgan Lander, expressed her sorrow and paid tribute to Trish’s talent and spirit via a poignant post.

“She was truly loved more than we all could ever know. From the moment I met Trish, there was an instant bond between us that I could never really explain. Perhaps we saw within each other many of the things that were reflected within ourselves; qualities that made us intrinsically who we are, and we clung to that dearly. I think she also looked up to me a great deal, and I appreciated the responsibility of what that meant as a friend. We grew up together to become better people than who we once were and through everything, she and I always remained very close, part of the support system we both needed. I loved her like a sister and she was a part of my family, now forever changed. She with her boundless energy, 10,000 ideas and a fiery, vibrant light that could never be extinguished, even now. I love you Trish and I miss you.”

Ivana Vujic paid tribute as well; “Anyone who has ever met Trish Doan knows that she was one of the sweetest, kindest, most down to earth people on this planet. I loved seeing her beautiful photos of Australian sunsets and city skylines, and nerding out about bass gear and geeky tech stuff. Everyone loved Trish more than she ever realized. She has left an imprint on so many lives. Her memory and legacy will outlive her physical form for many years to come. Much love to Trish‘s family, friends and all of the world that was touched by her presence. Trish, you are loved and greatly missed.”

In recent months, frontwoman Morgan Lander has been discussing the future of Kittie during a recent installment of Audio Ink Radio.