Armed with an intoxicating blend of folk-pop music, razor-sharp hooks and a sense of raw emotional honesty, Catlea is an artist that has quickly started making a name for herself as a compelling voice in the modern pop music industry. Her new release, Someone’s Got To, is a gorgeous piece of music, previously featured in our recent Monthly Favourites round-up review. If you liked the song and want to find out more about Catlea, you’re in the right place!

By Jane Howkins

How has your year been so far? I think this is our first time talking to you!

Thank you so much for having me! My year has been chaotically wonderful. Between touring, recording and releasing new music, I’ve barely had a chance to sit down until now.

You’ve just released a new single titled Someone’s Got To. What can you tell us about the song and how has the reception been so far?

Someone’s Got To is about realising the importance of self-love, letting go of the need for external validation and healing from unhealthy coping mechanisms. A lot of people have seemed to resonate with the message or found their own personal meaning from it, which I’m very grateful for. I just want to help others feel seen with my music by telling stories about my own personal life, and this song is a prime example of that.

You’ve been quite open about the emotional breakdown you endured when recording in Barcelona, which led to you becoming sober. Congrats! How did it feel returning to the song later on? Was it hard?

Thank you! I would say recording the song once I was sober was actually one of the easier things I’ve done, not just because my voice had gotten stronger, but because I felt that I could finally believe what I was singing about. I’ve always cared deeply about being honest in my music, so once I was able to see that things were getting better and I was capable of overcoming something so substantial, the rest just fell into place.

How are you dealing with sobriety so far? I hope you have lots of support networks?

I definitely have moments that are more difficult than others, but for the most part it’s been easier than I expected it to be, or than it was in previous (much shorter) attempts. I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been, I don’t wake up feeling sick or anxious everyday anymore and I’m more confident with my voice than I was before. Plus, I’m heavily supported by my friends and family, which makes even the moments where I do crave a drink much easier to get through.

You have a new EP called Aftermath coming out soon! When is it due out and what can fans expect from the record?

I can’t share a release date yet, but I can say that I’m taking my music in a different direction from what I’ve done before. I’m extremely excited for it, I think this is some of my best work.

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

That is TBD, but I am being featured on certain projects and have some singles I’m debating releasing before the EP comes out.

Would you like to release a full-length album at some point? Is that a possibility?

I’ve already released one full length album and I see no reason why I wouldn’t want to release another at some point in the future. That being said, for Aftermath, the EP itself is about my process of grieving the version of myself I thought I was meant to be. I specifically chose to make it a 5-song EP so each song could represent a different stage of that grief.

You’ve built a strong reputation on the live circuit. Do you plan to tour in the UK anytime soon?

I have several dates coming up in September and November! I’ll be playing in Cambridge, Bromsgrove, London, Brighton, Bath and Box. I’m also doing a few shows in Spain in November.

What is a Catlea show like? Do you pull anything special out for the fans?

Every show is like a party, to be honest. I’ve really been enjoying playing some unreleased songs at each show and getting to tell the stories behind them. Though I think the most important part of every show for me, personally, is after I get off the stage and get the chance to talk to everyone who’s taken the time to come out and see me that night.

Any last words for the fans?

Thank you so much for supporting me and my art, I really can’t wait for this next chapter and I hope you stick around as we continue to grow together.

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