We spoke with Katie Drives about her music, her musical past, and song writing process. Let’s see what she has to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
My real name is Kathi. But I sing in english so I decided to use a more international appearing version of my name. Katy remains too much of Katy Perry haha so it’s Katie. I was looking for an addition, a verb that’s nonjudgemental, so nothing like “smiles” or “cries”. Being able to drive was always a huge thing of being grown up to me. It leads to independency. Additionally alone in my car is a space where I could let out all my emotions and also sing without caring who might hear me. Moving forward is a good allegory what I want to do in my music: Break free. So it was a good fit and aesthetically I prefer “katie drives” without capital letters so it doen’t look too much like a firstname and lastname
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I grew up on classical music. I started piano lessons when I was 6 years old and singing in choirs when I was 7. As teenager I fell in love with popular music genres and noticed that I really like to sing and it doesn’t sound too bad. I quit piano and choirs and covered songs with a school band, another local cover band and sometimes solo on small events. After school I studied “Popular music and media” which is a music business studies, not practical, but most students where musicians as well so we often played together in different constellations and settings. Deep inside I hoped to found an own band but I moved cities too often and didn’t find the right members so one day I came to the conclusion that if I want to have an own project I need to start it on my own. I teamed up with my producer and wrote my very first songs during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s how katie drives was born.
How would you describe your sound?
I would say all my songs can be described as pop rock, though they have small influences from different genres. It’s inspired by 2000s sound aesthetics that mainstream artists as Avril Lavigne used as well as alternative rockbands from the 2000s. Still it has some modern influences because I’m always very interested in new trends in the rock and pop punk scene.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
On my first EP I would say it was Pvris, nothing,nowhere. and Avril Lavinge. On my upcoming one I felt inspired by Bring Me The Horizon, Machine Gun Kelly, Maggie Lindemann, Royal & The Serpent, Yungblud and too much more to list them all now. But over all my sound is mostely inspired by Paramore, Against The Current and to name her a third time here: Avril Lavigne.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Måneskin – Baby Said
What’s your source for hearing new music?
I check out Spotify playlists every week looking for new music. Sometimes I also find new tunes or artists on social media but Spotify is the number one source to listen to music.
Who is your dream producer?
Travis Barker
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Machine Gun Kelly, Oli Sykes, Avril Lavigne, Måneskin, Olivia Rodrigo, Sum41, Willow, Halsey
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
As teenager I always felt like a misfit. I was shy and an outsider at school so I didn’t go out much. Maybe that’s why music became so important to me because it gave me something to hold onto. I build up a dreamworld, music supported my fantasy so I guess it was some kind of escapism to lean into music that much. If I went out instead with the other kids maybe I didn’t develope that huge passion for music. Nowdays I’m working on a 40hs job in the music industry and it is super stressful to run this music project besides it. But I’m not ready to give up on it yet as I just started. I love being on stage, I guess the live experience the biggest goal to work for. I love being a singer and creating and releasing own songs so the passion inside of me keeps motivating me and the lovely feedback, when people are really emotionally touched by my songs and my voice, makes all the hustle worth it.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
That is super different with each song. Whenever an idea popps up in my brain I capture it on my phone, whether it’s a melody or some lyrics or just something that inspires me to work out. From time to time I structure these ideas and work on them and slowly but steady they become actual songs when working together with my producer Ole Kuhlmann.
How do you connect with your audience? What is the easiest way for them to connect with you?
Sometimes I chat with them on social media, that’s really easy. But meeting them in real life on a gig creates a way deeper connection. I love when people come to me, tell their own stories in relation to my music, it makes me really emotional in a beautiful way.
Spotify
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Website
What’s next for you?
I put out my second EP “Safe And Sad” in March. Currently I’m doing a lot of booking stuff because I want to play some summer shows. Therefore I’m also about to found my live band, that’s so exciting! I want to create a small drop of merch, work on a feature song and start writing new songs. In the next 2 years I will focus on working on an album and playling live.
Anything else you’d like to add or let us know about?
I’m so thankful for anyone who listens to my music and engages with it. Somehow it is still unbelievable for me. I want to strengthen everybody who feels unseen and hopeless to work on what makes them happy.
