By: Sadie Christine
Country singer-songwriter, Annika Catharina is gearing up for her debut album, Up All Night and we had the opportunity to chat with her ahead of its release, about her favourite tracks, inspiration, and what live performing means to her.
This album is filled with bops as well as retrospective tracks that she feels closely connected to. Her latest single, “Old Habit,” became a fast fan favourite, with over 800,000 streams across streaming platforms. When asked what that reaction felt like and about the writing process behind the song, Annika explained, “the reaction is always such an added bonus when you put music out in the world. This one was pretty cool in particular because when you go on to Spotify or Apple Music, you can see who is listening to your music, and Old Habit was actually saved and downloaded to a lot of peoples personal playlists, and I thought that was pretty cool because it’s happened before but I noticed, ‘wow people are actively choosing to put this song in their playlists’.”
Annika shared that there is always a lot going on during the songwriting process, and every experience is different. “This was the second song I wrote with my good friend, Jada. We started writing last year and instantly knew we had this bond when it came to songwriting and what we listen to. We are big fans of folk, and Americana rock, and were listening to different artists like Cameron Whitcomb, and I said to Jada ‘wouldn’t it be cool if there was a female approach to this folk sound?’ and we had that in mind when we were writing.” We both have been through relationships or situations where you’re mistreated and it doesn’t go the way you want, and for us, when that happens, it obviously hurts but we want to come out of it feeling better and confident.”
Annika shares that “this song is an ode to anyone who’s been there” and to anyone who has recognized bad behaviours, knows it’s time to move on, and realizes they’re going to be okay. “It felt therapeutic but also relevant to where I am with my life and that I haven’t been heartbroken in a while now but I like to think if I was, I’d like to come out thinking that I can move on and grow.”
There are lots of tracks on this album with that same message of empowerment, like “Won’t Be You Tonight,” which Annika is excited for everyone to hear. She explains that it’s a very sassy song and a girl anthem for the summer. Having originally written the song last year, Annika feels that it is the perfect time to release it during the summer months.
Another song Annika is excited for her fans to hear is “Cartwheels,” a track about growing up and reconnecting with her inner child. She explains that the song asks the question, “What would young Annika do?” and that she wouldn’t care what other people think. It reminds her of that “sweet time in childhood when everything is great.”
With the album being titled Up All Night, Annika explains that these are the thoughts and ideas that come to her late at night. “As a songwriter, you have ideas at 2am that you hope don’t go away and that you need to write down before they do.”
With many of these songs being empowering bops, we wanted to ask Annika what is currently on her summer country playlist and who she has been loving lately. She shared that Treaty Oak Revival is heavy in her rotation, and that she listens to New Music Friday every Friday to hear what other artists are releasing. Annika also has plans to head back into the studio next month, so she finds herself listening to her demos of new music quite often as well.
Wrapping up our conversation, we asked Annika our signature question: “what is your era?” This is where we ask artists which song from their own discography resonates with them the most today. Annika chose her song “Dishonest,” which is one of her favourite songs to play and one of her favourites she has written, explaining, “it was a time in my writing journey where I felt like a songwriter, and one that had many different milestones.”
On top of all the new music Annika has coming out and is working on, she also has a festival run in the coming months, including Boots and Hearts West and Barnside Music Festival. “I love live performing, that’s how I started, as a cover singer.” Annika shares that on stage she “gets to transform into myself.” Adding, “you spend time practicing what you’re gonna say and do but when it happens you let the music take over and you let yourself be.” She continues, “There’s no better feeling than the crowd singing your own songs and you can’t believe people are singing the words you wrote and produced. ‘You know the words to that song?’ Young Annika would be so proud.”
You can listen to Annika’s new album, Up All Night, out now on all streaming platforms, and make sure to stay up to date on live shows and new music by following Annika on her socials!
Thank you, Annika, for such a great conversation.
Stay Wild, Stay Free, Stay Country
