Kaitlin "Katie" Austra Stelmanis (Latvian: Keitlīna "Keitija" Austra Štēlmane,[1] born 1985)[2] is a Canadian musician of Latvian descent, who has performed and recorded both as a solo artist and with the bands Galaxy and Austra.[3][4][5]
Katie Stelmanis | |
|---|---|
 Stelmanis performing in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kaitlin Austra Stelmanis |
| Born | May 30, 1985 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Indie rock new wave |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Blocks Recording Club Paper Bag Records |
| Website | AustraMusic.com |
Career edit
Solo career edit
She is classically trained and began performing in the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus at age 10.[4] She was subsequently a member of the band Galaxy, along with Maya Postepski and Emma McKenna.[6]
Her debut album, Join Us, was released by Blocks Recording Club, a Toronto-based artistic collective that has supported numerous artists through the years including Owen Pallett, Fucked Up and Bob Wiseman.[7] Her debut single as a solo artist, "Believe Me", was released by Loog Records and Vice Records on 22 June 2009.
In 2008, Stelmanis appeared on Fucked Up's album The Chemistry of Common Life.[4] She also contributed tracks to the compilation albums Friends in Bellwoods and Friends in Bellwoods II.
In 2011, she co-wrote and sang on the Death in Vegas songs "Come Ride With Me", "Your Loft My Acid" and "Witchdance" from the album Trans-Love Energies.[8]
In 2016 Stelmanis delved deeper into writing lyrics and wrote her band Austra's album Future Politics primarily alone.[9]
Influences edit
Katie Stelmanis told Interview Magazine that she "was obsessed with classical music" while growing up. She cites artists such as Kate Bush, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack as influences.[9][10] Additionally, she takes inspiration from opera, Chicago house, and Detroit techno.[11]
Discography edit
- Galaxy
- 2006: I Want You to Notice (Self Released)
- Katie Stelmanis
- 2008: Join Us (Blocks Recording Club)
- 7-inch
- 2008: Fucked Up / Katie Stelmanis – Royal Swan Matador Records
- 2009: Believe Me (Loog, Vice Records)
- Compilations
- 2007: Friends in Bellwoods (You'll Fall)
- 2009: Friends in Bellwoods II (Believe Me)
Personal life edit
Stelmanis is of Italian, English and Latvian descent. Her father is Italian and her mother is half-Latvian and half-English.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Jauna zvaigzne, vārdā Austra". www.laiks.us. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
- ^ "Writer: Stelmanis Kaitlin Austra, Performers: Austra". ACE Repertory, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Archived from the original on 2017-01-06. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
- ^ Žildei, Jānis (8 February 2011). "Latviešu izcelsmes mūziķe pievienojas "Domino rec"=Latvian-born musician joins "Domino Records"". TVNet (in Latvian).
- ^ a b c Jones, Charlie (26 June 2009). "Katie Stelmanis: "My parents were like 'You play too much!'"". Dummy.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (8 February 2011). "Katie Stelmanis's Austra Explore the 'Sleazier Side of New Wave' on Debut Album". Exclaim!.
- ^ Millar, Erin (7 September 2006). "Rockers in a Straight Man's World – Canadian Dimension". Canadian Dimension.
- ^ Hodgson, Jaimie (29 May 2009). "Katie Stelmanis – Fucked Up Geek – Free MP3". NME.
- ^ "Death in Vegas: About". Death in Vegas Music. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
- ^ a b c Potts, Danica (9 January 2017). "Music Monday: Katie Stelmanis of Austra: On building a better tomorrow and avoiding the apocalypse — plus! The premiere of "Utopia (Jana Hunter Remix)"". Lenny Letter. Archived from the original on 29 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
- ^ Lau, Melody (18 January 2017). "Austra's Katie Stelmanis: 5 songs that changed my life". CBC Music.
- ^ Reese, Nathan (17 June 2013). "Austra Mounts Olympia". Interview Magazine.
- ^ "Austra : Habitat". Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ Byrneson, Lindsey (7 March 2011). "An interview with Katie Stelmanis of Austra". AfterEllen.