Photo: Ryan Mangold
Following on from a string of impressive offerings throughout the last year, Melbourne-based artist Kitty Rae has now returned to deliver her vibrant new single 'When Everybody Is Sleeping'.
Channelling a wonderfully fresh and upbeat alt-pop aesthetic from start to finish, 'When Everybody Is Sleeping' makes for a brilliantly bold return. Filled with funk-laden basslines, sweeping hooks, and her own soaring vocal style layered throughout, she is definitely destined for big things ahead.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and influences over the years.
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What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
If we’re talking puppy love, One Direction definitely had my heart from 2010 when they exploded around the world. Not only did I run a fan page, but my room was coated in posters and models of each band member - I also had a life size Niall Horan poster on my door. I may or may not have waited out the front of Crown Melbourne for a whole day attempting to see them in the flesh. I cannot confirm nor deny.
But my first super rich, deep and emotional musical love was definitely Lana Del Rey. I have a super clear memory of lying on my bed and absorbing her whole Born To Die/Paradise album. It changed my life and she continues to shape who I am as an artist and a person today.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
In my Year 9 music class we were split into bands for our assessments. We called ourselves ‘The’ Band and played a few classic covers including INXS’ Never Tear Us Apart, Toto’s Africa & Of Monsters and Men’s Little Talks. We won the school talent show that year, but disbanded shortly after the end of term.
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
I feel that music allows me to speak about myself, the world and everything in it in ways that I can’t express otherwise. Music adds such an emotional context to lyrics, and I’ve fallen in love with creating an experience through sound and words. It’s so powerful.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
There are so many! I feel every songwriter hears a great song and goes ‘oof, why didn’t I think of that!’. I’ve been reading a lot about Stevie Nicks lately, and I am in love with the opening lines of Dreams:
‘Now there you go again, you say you want your freedom
Well, who am I to keep you down?
It's only right that you should play the way you feel it
But listen carefully to the sound of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat, drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost.
Of what you had
And what you lost’
Don’t you just feel that so deeply? Wow.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
I had a dream recently that I was writing a song with Taylor Swift. I look forward to reliving that moment in real life sometime soon.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Definitely Taylor Swift, performing the song we will one day write together, hehe.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
So many! I’d love to do something with Miley Cyrus because I love her energy and all of the work she’s been producing over the past few years.
I think Maisie Peters and I would also work really well together - I love her lyrics and sass!
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
A hit single on the charts, touring the world to meet and perform for the people who connect with me through my music. Hopefully I can do a spin on my roller skates by then too.
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Kitty Rae's new single 'When Everybody Is Sleeping' is available to stream now. Check it out below.
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