Rising from the grave in the warm light of dawn, Katie Reid is back with her newest moody indie single ‘6 Feet Under’, released on Thursday, October 24. Stream ‘6 Feet Under’
This Sydney-based indie singer is a hidden wonder and a master of her craft, and her talents shine through in this charming soft rock daydream. Katie Reid got her start in music by providing backing vocals for legends like Guy Sebastian, Christine Anu and Perth rapper Drapht, and since then, she’s woven strong ties with other Australian bands, performing on the tours of Joan & the Giants and Little Quirks. She also caught eyes in the ‘The Great Southern Song Competition’ for her song ‘Healing’, earning herself first place.
Her latest single ‘6 Feet Under’ is a hauntingly beautiful piece of indie rock. Its ghostly, hallowed beginning melts into something more hopeful and uplifting, with soft indie guitar and catchy drumbeats. Katie’s voice strikes a balance between sweet and dreamy, and strong and mournful as it moves through the stages of grief, the highs and lows of the post-breakup haze.
This song was created during and after a tumultuous breakup, with the aim of being able to create something hopeful and uplifting from the wreckage. The weight of her pain underpins the song, giving it an addictive bittersweet aftertaste mixed in with its sweet indie-rock vibes. Katie Reid shares the story behind the song as,
“This person throughout the relationship didn’t treat me with compassion or kindness, therefore I held on to a lot of shame for loving them. I began writing the verses in the last few weeks of our relationship, trying to make sense of my conflicted feelings. It felt as though they exited the relationship unscathed and that really irked me as I was in a lot of pain. I created this song to try and rid myself of the anger and shame I was feeling.”
To celebrate the release of her new single ‘6 Feet Under’, we offered Katie Reid a dozen questions to ponder
1 What was the spark which lit your flame for music initially?
My dad is quite musical, so we were very fortunate to have guitars and pianos in our house growing up. I remember taking to the piano quite young – I trained in classical piano, but much to my piano teacher’s frustration I would try to figure out the chords to pop songs and sing along to them instead of practising my pieces for exams. I remember the exact spark that lit the flame however was when I was maybe 10 and I watched the movie ‘Raise your voice’ with Hilary Duff (when she goes to music school). I knew that was my DREAM (I then proceeded to learn the piano chords and sing through her whole ‘Metamorphosis’ album – I loved her.)
2 An album or song that had a huge impact on you growing up?
My mum used to play an ‘Aretha Franklin – Greatest Hits’ album in the car when I was young. I think that was the first time I ever really connected to dots between emotion and music. I remember hearing her song ‘Angel’ for the first time and thinking to myself that one day I wanted to be able to sing like that (obviously that is WILD as I could never come close to the queen of soul – you have to love a child’s optimism haha). Her music taught me so much about emotional delivery through your voice – she’s the queen of my heart!
3 First concert you ever attended?
The Corrs! Being from Scotland, my parents always played lots of celtic and traditional music so it made sense they brought me along to this concert when I was only 7 (to expand my musical education I gather!). I knew pretty quickly I also wanted to be up there on that stage.
4 Which other person has had the biggest influence on your music career?
I was obsessed with Lady Gaga as an awkward tween. Her music gave me a safe space to explore my creativity, queer identity and understand artistry as a concept. Her music introduced me to a love of glam rockers like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Elton John. Lady Gaga was always original and honoured her artistic vision. She inspired me to do the same. Also, all of my music teachers that I have had over the years have deeply inspired me. They all fueled my love of music and nurtured me into the musician (and music teacher!) I am today.
5 ‘6 feet Under’ is your new single, what’s it about, what inspired you to write it?
‘6 Feet Under’ is the song I’m most proud of. I really pushed myself to be more vulnerable in my songwriting, this song comes from that. I started writing the verses during the last few weeks of a tumultuous breakup. I was overwhelmed by all the confusing and conflicted feelings I was having so I couldn’t figure out the chorus. It wasn’t until the relationship was over that I could start writing the chorus and tying the song together. I was in a lot of pain, but I wanted to make something hopeful and uplifting. Heartbreak is one of the most agonising experiences. Still, when people hear ‘6 Feet Under’ I hope they feel a sense of clarity and resolve towards the person who hurt them.
6 What would you like your music career to look like in 5 years time?
I would love to be internationally touring in 5 years time. It is such a huge dream of mine to hit the road with my friends and see as much of the world as possible and connect with people. I have so many dream artists and producers I would love to work with in the future too, I just want to be performing and writing for as long as possible.
7 What would be your dream collaboration?
The dream collaboration for me is Lana Del Rey. I discovered Lana on Tumblr as an angsty teenager (classic), and ever since then I still think of her as one of the best storytellers in the industry. The way she weaves melodies and lyrics together is so clever.
8 Other artists you are enjoying listening to at the moment?
The pop girls are DOMINATING at the moment so I’m listening to a lot of Chappell Roan, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter. I’ve also really been enjoying Remi Wolf’s new album, you should check it out if you haven’t!
9 What has your work as a backing singer for people like Guy Sebastian and Christine Anu taught you?
Singing with people as talented as Guy and Christine taught me to be professional and reliable. Working as a backing vocalist really emphasised the value of teamwork for me, I love collaborating and working with other people. Musically, working with incredible artists taught me so much about my vocal technique, being able to blend with other voices and enhance the lead vocalist’s sound.
10 If money was no issue, what would a Katie Reid concert look like?
Oh my goodness this is a dangerous question haha! I’m talking staging, props, lighting, costumes, drag queens, dancers, the LOT! I basically would want it to feel like a big party everyone is invited to. My dream is to have some type of custom grand piano also, bedazzled Liberace vibes.
11 An important life lesson someone gave/told you?
‘There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be’ – sung by the legendary John Lennon and Paul McCartney. I saw this quote graffitied on the John Lennon wall in Prague when I was 16 or so, it’s stayed with me ever since.
12 What’s next for Katie Reid?
Lots of super fun shows! If people are free you should come check them out!
25/10/24: supporting PEP TALK at Vic on the Park
26/10/24: playing a solo set at Oktoberfest 2024
1/11/24: my single launch for ‘6 Feet Under’ at Butcher’s Brew Bar
I’m also going to be jumping back in the studio in early 2025 and have lots of new music coming out next year, so stay tuned!
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