An indie-pop artist from rural Australia, last month Kitty Rae released her newest the single 'When Everybody Is Sleeping' – a cathartic, electro-pop piece exploring the freedom of late-night adventures.
Inspired by her own home-town tales of after-hours revelry, Kitty Rae distils influences Lorde, Billie Eilish and Vera Blue to create her own blend of electro pop."I wanted to create that feeling when you're out with people you love and you can let go of the pressures you feel in everyday life.
"There is a powerful freedom in those moments that I wanted to capture. This song is a big release, a big deep breath in and out."
Who is Kitty Rae... I'm a little human bean floating around Australia (soon the world), taking each step with the intention of being authentic and connecting with other people around me.
Music has always felt like the most accessible way to communicate for me, and that's why I'm a singer/ songwriter/ producer/ performer.
I sound like... My current work kinda sounds like Lorde and Dua Lipa had a love child. Lana Del Rey has always had a massive influence on me, particularly her earlier work. I feel that comes through in my sound too.
My first gig was... When I was 11 I did my first vocal performance at my music school concert, Performing Arts Headquarters in Bacchus Marsh. It was meant to be a duet and I found out last minute that the other performer couldn't make it.
I was so scared that I cried a lot, ended up standing right next to my singing teacher at the piano, and sang 'Never Again' by Kelly Clarkson with my back to the audience. I've come a long way, hehe.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... I got called Kitty Rae as a kid. It feels like me.
In the studio I usually... My boyfriend and I record in our home studio, and it's pretty fun working together! We vibe really well.
If I could tour with anyone... AH! I would love to support artists like Billie Eilish, Griff, Mia Rodriguez, Sia. . . One day.
Social media is... Like chocolate. Super yum and sweet in appropriate doses, but eat too much and you'll feel pretty bleugh. There's also some really bad flavours out there that you have to try your best to avoid (Fruit & Nut, I'm looking at you).
My favourite app at the moment is... My therapy app BetterHelp has changed my life. You fill out a quiz to get matched with a therapist that suits you, but can also change therapists with a click of a button if you're not vibing together. I love it a lot.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Probably my first ever date with my now-boyfriend, Ryan. I had two free tickets to a show, in which I was an audience plant. I met Ryan that week, really liked him – so invited him along.
I hadn't really looked into the show beforehand and it ended up being a show where the male performer got naked VERY quickly, and I ended up slow dancing with him to a very sexual, strange video montage on screen behind us.
The awkward silence between Ryan and I at the tram stop as we both processed what we had just experienced was very embarrassing and very hilarious looking back. If that didn't scare him off, I don't think anything can, haha!
Life on the road can be... Due to COVID I haven't been able to really hit the road on a big tour yet, but I get car sick pretty easily so it will probably be a lot of fun hehe.
If you'll have me on your bill, all I ask is that our rider contains... Nothing fancy. Just ensuring there's some water backstage and onstage.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Ooh. I don't know. I'm such a highly anxious person that I tend to avoid scary situations – my brain can be scary as it tends to work in extremes. Therapy has helped that a lot.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... It would be a dream to hear that Dolly Parton or Elton John loved my music. I respect them a lot.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? London or LA. I'll always follow the music.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Taylor Swift, Greta Thunberg and Dolly Parton. Kick-ass female energy.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? I can make avocado sushi or pasta, your choice.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? LOVER!
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Japanese original flavoured Pocky.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... When I went to the gym a few weeks ago; hehe caught out.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Wow, I loathe chores so much it's hard to pick one. Cleaning the shower is gross.
Do you have any phobias... At the zoo, there is a horrid place called the Butterfly House where millions of butterflies fly about and touch you and land on your face. Nightmare!
Would you ever partake in a reality show? I would love to have a go at one of those obstacle course kind of shows, like 'Wipeout' or 'Ninja Warrior'. I wouldn't be very good, but I'd have a lot of fun.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Definitely my sister, and it would probably involve putting chilli in some food where she would never expect it. Like in the middle of an Oreo, masked by the cream. Mwahaha.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? I am currently in love with Guzman y Gomez.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? I feel so multifaceted as a human being that I feel like I connect with every character that's ever existed, haha. We're all so different, yet so the same, hey.
Last show you binge-watched? I am currently loving 'The Great'. Kick-ass female energy.
Kitty Rae plays Real Songwriters of Melbourne at Kindred Bandroom (Melbourne) 10 December and co-headlines The Bergy Seltzer (Melbourne) 9 February with Angus Legg.
