Exclusive Interview with KATIE DRIVES

Rock and Alternative Pop, between the 2000s and 2022, somewhere between broken and okay: Even though she only began writing songs two years ago, Berlin-based artist Katie Drives captivates with a powerful lyrical exposure of burdensome topics that young adults are facing. Her voice and her music have similar dark, imposing tones.
The song’s title, “Next To You,” might suggest that it’s a love song, but the lyrics describe something entirely different: the rollercoaster of admiration, self-doubt, envy, and guilt that comes from comparing oneself to others. Sometimes you see people who seem to be perfect: more attractive, intelligent, talented, successful, popular, and kind—on social media or among your own friends. And you can’t help but feel bad when you’re around them. a subject that many young women, and especially girls, can relate to.

“Next To You” is Katie’s most upbeat song to date and blends elements of rock music with electronic dance music. The video was produced in collaboration with Geraldine Hutt and Juliette Lejeune, two Berlin-based photographers and videographers, and it effectively captures the emotional turmoil of three different female personas. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

KATIE DRIVES: I was born on the countryside of North Germany and now I live in Berlin because of my work. Besides making music I also work in music industry and most of the companies are in Berlin so I’m here to stay. In my childhood I grew up with classical music and also learned classical piano and sang in several choirs. As teenager I fell in love with popular music, discovered my singing voice and made my first experiences as cover singer on stage. I studied “Popular music and media”. Later I noticed in the first Covid-19 lockdown that I probably won’t make it to found a band because I was moving a lot and didn’t find the right members where I was that time. So I decided to start something on my own, called my future producer and that’s how katie drives was born.

2. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?

KATIE DRIVES: Being on stage is the best thing! It’s the most fun and the for sure the best way to connect with people. Recording at the studio is rather exhausting when you repeat the same phrase over and over again and having in mind that this will be captured forever on the final track puts pressure on me. I like the writing process if it’s flowing but I still prefer singing and performing it. Also – I have to mention it again – when people tell me after the show that it really got them emotional and touched their hearts is so wholesome. Connecting in real life is always more precious than on the internet to me.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘KATIE DRIVES’?

KATIE DRIVES: Generally I used to listen to a lot of mainstream music. After living with classical music only I digged up everything pop related. My taste in music got more rock after finishing school. My first idol concerning singing was actually Shakira. But I remember that the first album that hooked me was “One Of The Boys” by Katy Perry. Lots of (female) mainstream artists of the 2000s used more electric guitars than nowadays in their music and that inspired my sound a lot when starting my own project. As biggest influences I had in mind P!nk, Katy’s One-Of-The-Boys era, smash hits like “Since You Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson) and above all Avril Lavigne. The other half of my inspiration came from female fronted alternative bands like Paramore, Pvris or Against The Current. My name is Kathi and because I sing in english I spell it in the more international way. I was looking for an addition in a verb that’s neither negative nor positive like “cries” or “smiles”. Being able to drive means being grown up, independent and free to me. My car was a safe space to let out my emotions, to sing loudly and as a car moves forward I also find some “breaking free and moving forward”-kinda feeling when it comes to making music.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

KATIE DRIVES: My sound is nostalgic, remains of the 2000s but also adds some modern elements. I try to not sound too indie but rather catchy. Even if I’m quite new to songwriting I often get the feedback that my lyrics are kinda strong and make it to touch peoples hearts so they seem to resonate with the listeners together with the nostalgic 2000s vibes.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

KATIE DRIVES:

As I am working in music industry and have lots of friends with own band and solo projects I had the opportunity to learn a lot before even starting a project myself. Especially about the use of social media but also how promotion works. Each promo phase is a new lesson. Also songwriting gets easier and more fun the more I practice, I feel safer in the studio now and perform with more energy on stage than when I sang cover songs only. On my first EP I focused on 2000s sounds, now I include more modern elements inspired by the new wave of pop punk and I mix more electronic elements into my songs meanwhile they also get harder.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

KATIE DRIVES:

For sure music can become very important in political movements and it builds culture. Because it goes straight to the heart. Messages hit different when they get delivered via music. Currently my songs are rather made of very personal topics and an expression of my own feelings as a young adult and the sound I like.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

KATIE DRIVES:

Good questions as it’s a huge challenge when having a 40h-job like I do. I love what I do as a musician so I am willing to put much effort into it even if it costs most of my free time. I can’t live like this forever so I’m looking forward the next year when I’m more on stage than writing promo e-mails. Singing live gives me the most fulfillment and also the kind face to face feedbacks from the audience when I notice they are really excited and emotional about my music. I wish for building up a team around me so I don’t have to do everything on my own and if it’s possible I’d love to work less than 40hs to have more time for the music in the future.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

KATIE DRIVES:

If I have any small ideas for lyrics I write them down in my phone or in a document on my laptap and sometimes I take the time to structure and finish them into propper verses and choruses. I listen to a lot of music and if I find sound ideas I save them into playlists. A lot of work already happens in my head then and with all those wild and rough ideas I go to my producer and he makes them come alive. Each time it’s different if we start working on an instrumental first or if the lyrics first exist, it’s all happening at the same time step by step. Currently I write the lyrics all by myself.

9. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

KATIE DRIVES: I read it, think about whether it’s constructive or not: if so, I try to improve, if not at first I hate the writer a little haha and then I try to take it with humor.

10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

KATIE DRIVES: Somehow both. I definitely want that people interpret the lyrics on their own. However they can identify in that moment, transfer it into their situation. I do the same when I listen to music and it’s a great and important thing. It makes the song more emotional if you see your own story in it. Yet I still like when the overall topic I originally wrote about is understood. For example once I read in a blog that a song of mine was described as love related though I was talking about a totally different topic.