Katie Stelmanis

Katie Stelmanis
Katie Stelmanis performing in 2009
Stelmanis performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameKaitlin Austra Stelmanis
Born (1985-05-30) May 30, 1985 (age 38)
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresIndie rock
new wave
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2004–present
LabelsBlocks Recording Club
Paper Bag Records
WebsiteAustraMusic.com

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]

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
7-inch
  • 2008: Fucked Up / Katie Stelmanis – Royal Swan Matador Records
  • 2009: Believe Me (Loog, Vice Records)
Compilations

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]

Stelmanis identifies herself as a lesbian.[13][9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Jauna zvaigzne, vārdā Austra". www.laiks.us. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ Žildei, Jānis (8 February 2011). "Latviešu izcelsmes mūziķe pievienojas "Domino rec"=Latvian-born musician joins "Domino Records"". TVNet (in Latvian).
  4. ^ a b c Jones, Charlie (26 June 2009). "Katie Stelmanis: "My parents were like 'You play too much!'"". Dummy.
  5. ^ Hudson, Alex (8 February 2011). "Katie Stelmanis's Austra Explore the 'Sleazier Side of New Wave' on Debut Album". Exclaim!.
  6. ^ Millar, Erin (7 September 2006). "Rockers in a Straight Man's World – Canadian Dimension". Canadian Dimension.
  7. ^ Hodgson, Jaimie (29 May 2009). "Katie Stelmanis – Fucked Up Geek – Free MP3". NME.
  8. ^ "Death in Vegas: About". Death in Vegas Music. Archived from the original on 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2012-03-27.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Lau, Melody (18 January 2017). "Austra's Katie Stelmanis: 5 songs that changed my life". CBC Music.
  11. ^ Reese, Nathan (17 June 2013). "Austra Mounts Olympia". Interview Magazine.
  12. ^ "Austra : Habitat". Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  13. ^ Byrneson, Lindsey (7 March 2011). "An interview with Katie Stelmanis of Austra". AfterEllen.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Katie_Stelmanis&oldid=1218049765"