Phoebe Katis, the British singer-songwriter, has built a musical career full of authenticity and emotions. From her early days of songwriting to remove herself from the experiences and emotions she was having growing up to her evolution into a multifaceted artist, Phoebe uses music as a mirror for her personal experiences.
In this interview, we delve into her musical roots, exploring how she grew up surrounded by a wide range of influences, from Broadway classics to rock and soul icons. Her passion for songwriting emerged as a way to channel her emotions, transforming the personal into the universal through melodies and lyrics that connect with audiences of all ages.
The focus of our conversation centers on her latest single, “i’m a kid.” This track not only marks a milestone in her career but also captures the tension between adulthood and the nostalgia of childhood. With lyrics that address themes like the passage of time, relationships with parents, and adult responsibilities, “i’m a kid” is a reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the importance of cherishing every moment.
Can you take us back to your early days? What first sparked your passion for music?
My folks are big music lovers, so I grew up around a lot of different things. My mum and I LOVE Broadway, which definitely influenced my writing, and they both loved artists like David Bowie, Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Supertramp, Queen, Carole King, Eva Cassidy, Buena Vista Social Club, Santana, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand… the list goes on. I started writing songs when I was around 11, inspired by a fair amount of Disney and pop acts of the early 2000s. I played piano from a young age, too, which was very helpful for writing. What really drew me to songwriting was the way I could immediately release whatever I was feeling and then return to it from the position of an ‘outsider.’ As an angsty preteen, I could separate myself from whatever I was feeling and place that emotion on a song that I could dip in and out of depending on what mood I was in and what part I wanted to play. Whatever I was going through became outside of myself. More understandable. Less all-consuming.
There have been many albums and shows, but now we will focus on talking about your latest track, “i’m a kid.” What is the story behind the song?
One of my all-time favorite artists is Bill Wurtz. His music is the soundtrack to the highs and escapism from the lows in my life. In early 2024, I was plotting who I’d like to work with on the next record, and he was on my ‘dream collab’ list. I’d seen an interview with Bill speaking about working with other people and how he never does it, but maybe he should, and I was like, ‘This is my window’. A mutual friend connected us, and once I knew he was down to work with me, I wrote the song. I had a bunch of other demos I had put aside to float by him, but honestly, none of them felt right. Usually, when working on music, once the song is written, you go and find the producer who will fit the song. But this was entirely the opposite: I found the producer, and then I wrote the song that would fit him. This was a really inspiring and fun twist to the process, and I’m so happy I did it this way instead of forcing another demo into his world.
The song explores the tension between adulthood and childhood, with themes like paying rent and cherishing time with parents. What inspired you to write about these deeply personal yet universal experiences?
Like every late 20s or early 30-something person, I am constantly questioning what I’m doing, whether the time is right to do other things, and what those things are, and fearing I’m not spending enough time with my parents, family, etc., the joys of adulthood. If I put all these pretty morbid thoughts into a happy, trippy, fun song, I feel better about it all. Hopefully, listeners do too.
This song is a collaboration with the legendary Bill Wurtz. What was it like working with someone so iconic yet notoriously elusive in the music scene?
This whole experience has been one big ‘pinch-me’ moment. He is a true genius. Hearing my voice with his production is straight-up otherworldly. He might be elusive in the sense that he doesn’t engage much on social media or play shows, but that all adds to how impactful his music is: he builds his own world that you are invited into, and doesn’t rush his creations; he makes us wait. That honestly makes it all the more iconic and refreshing.
Bill Wurtz mentioned that this is the first time he’s produced a song for someone else. How did you convince him to take on this project, and what was the creative dynamic like between the two of you?
I know he wanted the experience of working with someone, so I guess I just reached out at the right time with the right kind of ask, and the planets aligned. He had to like the song, of course, which made it all the more important to write the perfect song. Once he was in on the song, we figured out ways in which the flow would work best: I sent him the completed structure, chords, vocals, lyrics, etc., first before he started producing. We had some back and forth over a couple of chords and moments, and then I didn’t hear anything for 4 months until he sent me the finished track. Entirely finished, I heard nothing until I heard everything. That first listen was magical.
You’ve said this is your proudest moment as an artist to date. What makes “i’m a kid” so special to you?
If I had to choose my favourite things about music, they would all be in this song. Lyrics, melodies, chords, sounds, grooves. It’s all in here. Also, to hear my voice in Bill Wurtz’s production will always be an insane thing to me. I’m just so stoked he liked the song enough to produce it.
The song touches on the fleeting nature of time with loved ones. What do you hope listeners take away from this message, especially in today’s fast-paced world?
Ask your parents or someone older than you about their lives. It’s their first time in this life, too; they’re figuring it all out just as much as you are.
This is the third single from your new album. What details can you give us about this musical work? What new elements can your fans find in it?
This new album is basically a variety album of all the genres I love. 80s disco bangers, retro funk bops, Broadway ballads, angsty pop-rock girl ragers—it’s all in there. I just wanted to write a bunch of great songs and let them be what they wanted to be.
You’ve mentioned that this album focuses on exploring different influences rather than fitting into one sonic box. Can you explain that, and how does “i’m a kid” set the tone for what’s to come?
I had crazy writer’s block in 2023 – early 2024. I felt like I didn’t have any good ideas anymore, burned out from putting out 4 albums in 4 years, desperately seeking inspiration and finding nothing. A tool that has been so helpful is imagining someone else as the main character of a song and writing from their perspective. This takes you, the artist, out of the equation and makes it about the song, not you and your block, insecurities, fears, etc. Be a musical chameleon. Songs become characters or personalities that you can choose to play. That makes more sense with this album than any of my previous ones. Others have felt a little more cohesive in style. This bunch of songs is especially varied. ‘i’m a kid’ is probably the most ‘unicorn’ of the pack. The self-aware, coming-of-age lyrics run throughout, though, so I guess there’s your box 😉
With such a prolific career, is there anything in the music world that you want to do that you haven’t yet? A collaboration, a specific stage?
Many, many things, but one dream is to write a musical. Maybe star in it.
CONNECT WITH Phoebe: