Hailing from the windswept plains of isolated Saskatoon, Canada, singer/songwriter Katie Tuppe rblends Neo-soul and indie seamlessly into a tantalizing concoction. While recent single “How Can I Get Your Love?” leaned more into the serene side of her sound, her latest offering, “Danny”, out today slides gracefully in another direction. On display is her mastery of immediacy: it’s gentle, yet undeniably head-bobbing all at once, a deep dive into a finger-snapping, emotive blast of pure grace. Taken from her debut EP, “Towards the End” (PRE-SAVE HERE), “Danny” captures everything that makes Tupper an essential, exciting new voice.
With swelling strings and twinkling keys exquisitely backing up an instantly catchy, syrupy drumline, Tupper’s voice soars over the track, telling a story of heartbreak and resentment, digging into that feeling of having so little left to lose that there’s hardly anything worth salvaging. The lyrics feel akin to an exhalation for any of us that have limped out of a relationship that simply didn’t work, wounded and uncertain: “Your family never liked me, and I never liked them / And, it scares me to say that out loud / But what’s the worst some words can do to me now,” and other moments have a stark, forthright beauty to them. It’s deeply relatable and bracing all at once. It recalls all the uncomfortable moments of a love faded we try so hard to leave behind, yet never seem able to forget.
“Danny” comes off her debut EP, “Towards the End,” due February 18th via Arts & Crafts (Broken Social Scene, Georgia Harmer, Hannah Georgas). The “Danny” music video pictures Katie gallivanting through the wilderness with her stoic mannequin companion, mirroring the love faded and one-sided relationship she laments in the track. It both showcases the natural beauty of her isolated hometown and hilarious cause Katie’s literally dragging a mannequin through the forest.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I started making music professionally in early 2018 as a songwriter and singer. I was in a collective until 2020 writing vocals exclusively to someone else’s instrumental tracks. Throughout that whole process I learned a lot about who I wanted to be as a writer, lyrically, but I always felt as though I was missing my voice as a full musical artist. This project was my freedom to create and be involved in my music from writing, production, recording, branding- every part of it. I feel like this music represents who I am so much more and I’ve been able to inject my voice and musical style into it fully. The project is a collection of songs that I wrote over 2020 and 2021 that reflect on past relationships, and what my identity has been in different successful and failed attempts at love.
What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
I read a quote last week about visual art that was something along the lines of “if you could explain it, you wouldn’t have to create it”. I think music, and art in general are a way to feel connected with ourselves and others about our emotions that are hard to articulate. As an artist you’re able to speak in ways that are multi-dimensional. If you can communicate a specific feeling/emotion/color/moment in time, I think that is what makes a song really powerful.
Who were your top 3 artists last year?
Dijon, Anderson .Paak, & Doja Cat.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
I usually get bouts of writer’s block & lack of inspiration when I’m on my phone too much, and detached from my own thoughts. I try to get off social media, listen to music that inspires me & excites me, read more, go for walks, spend more time with my friends and family, and watch sad movies. Stuff to kickstart feelings & thoughts back up. I also try to keep lyric ideas or words that could inspire songs in a note on my phone so I can go back through when I need things to write about.
What are your 2022 projects and goals?
I have my EP ‘Towards the End’ coming out in February of 2022. I’m really excited about that. I want to finish writing and recording a second EP, put out a handful more singles, and try to play as many live shows and festivals as COVID allows. The past few years have been a lot of distanced writing and building due to COVID so I’m hoping 2022 allows for more in person interaction and growth.
Favorite movie or TV show?
I love The Devil Wears Prada and Broad City. they’re my comfort movie/ show & I always go back to them. I also love Nathan For You and Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
My latest release was on January 11th and it was my song ‘Danny’. I wrote this song in September of 2020, about an old boyfriend, on my shitty acoustic guitar when I was living in Canmore, Alberta. I wrote about bad habits I had built from dating someone I wasn’t in love with. I finished the first verse & chorus pretty quickly and sent a voice note of it to my producer & he had a lot of ideas to brighten it up and make it into the fun song it is now. I love the song, I think it’s the most danceable and fun out of all of the songs on the EP & the visuals we created for the music video are by far my favorite I’ve ever done.
What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
How male dominated they are. I’ve found very often in my career that men support men & will call on other men when they need a job filled. All male musicians to play on a record, all male musicians to support live shows, all male techs, all male mixing & mastering. Non-male musicians and artists are often the last choice in filling these roles. I think as artists we have to be very intentional in inclusion and diversity in every aspect of creating our art, or else nothing will change.
Can you outline your creative process?
I’ll take down notes and ideas throughout my day, sit down at a piano & build out different chords until I find something. If I’m writing with someone else we’ll try to find instrumentals that feel right and then find a story that we relate to.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
I love Barbie Ferreira, Solange, Devon Carlson, & cool random girls on instagram.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
I’m really proud of finishing this EP. It was written and recorded in 2020 when it felt like the world was shutting down. It felt really good to have support to keep going and finish a project when no-one knew what the music industry would look like in the next few years. Before this EP I would say playing a show with the collective I was in at SaskJazz- my city’s summer music festival. It was the first time I played a sold out venue and I remember playing and looking around and people knew my lyrics and were excited to be at our show. That felt super special and gave me an insane appreciation for the community we had found in the city.
What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
Whatever they want. Maybe sneak subliminal hypnotic messaging into their music that gets more people to compost and fight climate change? Think Satanic Panic – but instead of satanism let’s have Al Gore speeches reversed on our records.
Do you have any regrets?
Dating people that I knew I wanted to break up with for way too long. The Expiration date had long passed and I was lazy. Gave me good content though.
What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Get off your phone. Go for more walks. Practice all the instruments you want to practice while you still have the time. Maybe talk to a doctor about IBS before you start touring? Start enjoying fun makeup again.
