German artist Katie Drives is a fabulous new artist on the scene – I reviewed her song Ghosts recently and absolutely loved it. If you somehow missed the track, you can also find a stream at the end of this interview!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a track titled Ghosts, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?

Ghosts is about being ghosted but is written from the perspective of the one who broke off contact, directly speaking to the abandoned (and the audience), describing how miserable they feel. Musically it is mostly inspired by Bring Me The Horizon, The Cranberries, Yungblud, Royal & The Serpent and Stand Atlantic. Also, it’s my first ever feature song and the first single of a few more that will be yours soon.

How has the reception been for Ghosts and where can it be purchased?

I’m happy about the reception, so many blogs all over the world talked about it and found kind words. You can stream it on every common platform and buy it e.g. on Amazon and iTunes.

You collaborated with Dear Me on the track. How did that come about? Can we expect any more collaborations in the future?

We were already connected on Instagram. Last year I found an impressive song on Spotify, so I followed them and they followed back. I was down doing some features, but I couldn’t actually imagine another singer on Ghosts as it wouldn’t make sense, except from Dear Me. They do something very special, and this collaboration was a great chance to give a voice to my ghosts… There are no other collaborations planned yet but maybe I can hop onto one of their songs.

Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?

Yes, I do! The next single, Next To You, will be out on December 2nd, together with my first ever music video. Also, at the beginning of 2023 there will be even more new music that I’m very excited about.

You have a new song coming out in December called Next To You. What can you tell us about that song?

The title sounds like a love song, but it’s about something completely different. It’s about feeling bad and useless next to an awesome person. It could be a good friend you admire or someone on social media who appears to be perfect. I think a lot of people (especially adolescents) can relate to that comparing struggle.

The song will also be accompanied by your first music video! How is the video coming along?

We filmed everything in one day in a studio in October, now the videographers are working on the final cuts. It will be out on YouTube the same day the song will be released. We did some performance shots with various instruments, also a little dance performance and some cool artsy things with lights etc.

Are there plans to release an album or EP?

Spoiler alert – there will be an EP next year! Ghosts and Next To You will be on it. One day I also want to release an album, but that will take more time yet.

Your music mixes together pop and rock. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?

Avril Lavigne and Hayley Williams are my biggest idols. When I started this project all the female singers of the 2000s were inspirations: P!nk, Alanis Morissette, etc. I also adore Katy Perry’s first album, which is very pop rock. Also, alternative bands like The Maine, Against The Current or Pvris influenced my work, as well as the new pop-punk generation around Machine Gun Kelly. Also Maggie Lindemann, everything Travis Barker touches and female newcomers like Charlotte Sands or Lølø. I’ve also been listening to Fletcher, Killboy, Leah Kate and Mothica.

Where are you based? What is the local music scene like?

I now live in Berlin, the German capital city. In Berlin, there is a huge techno scene, but you can find musicians and communities from every genre here. In Germany, hip-hop is still huge. I’m slowly seeing more rock elements in the mainstream again, but house is also getting bigger somehow.

Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?

Unfortunately not. I am working on some more dates in Germany, but I’ve never played in another country. Hopefully soon!

Any last words for the fans?

Thanks a lot to every one of you reading this and checking out my music. It means the world to me if you like it. Sending lots of love to you!