Photo: Noa Griffel

Brooklyn-based indie pop artist KATiiE has released her new single “Two Ways,” The lead single off of her upcoming EP “Fallout”. “Two Ways,” takes listeners on a journey, creating a dreamy soundscape that is as enchanting as it is personal. Originally hailing from Oregon, KATiiE has spent the last eight years crafting her indie pop sound, driven by her delicate, siren-like vocals and production.

Return To Sound asked the questions:

Return To Sound: "If I can start with your name, is this your given name or your stage name? Google has trouble with alternate spellings.. haha"..

Katiie: "My stage name is KATiiE, and my real name is spelled Katie! Mainly I just like the look of the capitals with the lower case iis ..."

RTS: "You have moved to New York, was this a big wrench for you and did you feel it was necessary to progress your career?"

Katiie: "I moved to New York 9 years ago and I think it has been the best possible decision for me both to progress my career and to grow as a person. It is difficult sometimes being away from my family, and I miss having easy access to hiking and outdoorsy activities. The people I've met here in NY and the experiences I've had make it absolutely worth it though. Being among so many other ambitious people and creative people is always inspiring". 

RTS: "What was the music that first registered with you when growing up in Oregon?"

Katiie: "Thanks to my parents, I have always adored 70s/80's soft rock, soul and disco. To this day it's probably the genre I listen to most consistently. Stevie Wonder and The Police are some of my all time favourite songwriters, musicians, and performers". 

RTS: "When did you get the urge to create your own music, are you self taught or did you take any lessons at college etc?"

Katiie: "I think I've probably been in love with music since before I could speak. I started writing music in high school, specifically after my first experience with heartbreak. The song was called "Stoner Boy", and it started as just a joke. It was a way for me to make light of the situation, but it ended up feeling so cathartic to express myself in that way, and I've been writing music ever since! 

After a few years of writing music, I decided to take some classes in music production. Learning Ableton has given me a lot of freedom in my music creation process". 

RTS: "What subjects inspire your lyrics, does it come easy to write?"

Katie: "My romantic relationships tend to inspire my music the most, but I also write about my own relationship with the world and my internal processes. These days I do write fairly regularly, but it has taken time and practice to go about life with a sort of lense where I'm always looking for parallels in my experiences to the things around me in a way that inspires melodies and lyrics". 

RTS: "Do your songs start from lyrics or a melody?"

Katiie: "It's always different, it could go either way for me!"

RTS: "Have you got any physical product available yet or are you going to stay in the digital world only?"

Katiie: "At the moment my music is only available digitally!" 

RTS: "What are your ambitions as far as your music goes?"

Katiie: "I have a lot more to say and create. I would love to release a full LP, I would like to write for other people, and I would like to tour as well". 

RTS: "Are you playing live? How is that going?"

Katiie: "I've performed live in Brooklyn and Manhattan quite a bit over the years with a group of incredible musicians. I'm looking forward to booking some shows later this year and next!"

Photo: Noa Griffel

RTS: "What would you say is your best attribute that makes you able to make modern music?"

Katiie: "I'm so glad that I learned music production, I think it's definitely one of my best attributes as an artist. My process these days has been to draft my songs on my own using Ableton, and then take them to a producer. I think this has helped me really keep my essence in my music, and gives me the knowledge to be pretty involved in the production process". 

RTS: "Are you interested in other arts outside of the music world?"

Katiie: "I danced for years growing up so dance has a special place in my heart! I also have goals of someday putting together mixed media shows that combine visual arts with music and dance". 

RTS: "Do you want to travel and tour outside of America?"

Katiie: "Absolutely! I'd like to go everywhere". 

RTS: "What is one wish you hope to come true?"

Katiie: "Someday I plan to own a studio somewhere rural, possibly in the mountains in the PNW.  I'd like it to be a place musicians could come to stay and record for extended amounts of time". 

“Two Ways” is out NOW on all music platforms.

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