Katrina Cain kicks off the summer with her latest single “Independence Day.” Accompanied by just an acoustic guitar, the track is a soft, pensive soundscape of powerful, emotional vocals and angelic harmonies that serves as a perfect summer reflection.
The track explores Cain’s journey to self discovery and what it means to truly belong to yourself. “Sometimes we change ourselves to fit in, and when you take a step back and look at yourself, you realize that all of that constant effort to change is not only exhausting, but totally unsustainable,” says Cain. “I wanted to find a way to describe the beautiful side of falling apart, so I wrote this song about freeing yourself — from someone, something, or even some place. It’s about walking away from a burning pile of ashes as a totally new person, who belongs to yourself alone.”
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Katrina about the contrasts between Los Angeles and Austin, musical memories and, of course, the new release.
Full Q&A with links and music below.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about “Independence Day?”
This song is about shedding expectations and freeing yourself – but it’s not about one specific thing. Some listeners have told me the song makes them think of a past relationship, and others feel like they’re stuck in a job or lifestyle that isn’t who they thought they’d be. I love that this song can be related to almost any topic – the real importance is understanding how to let go and find the beauty in falling apart so you can start again.
How does this project compare with your other singles as of late? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?
The biggest difference between this song and others I’ve released is that this one (Independence Day) is self-produced. I recorded everything myself in my home studio, and I didn’t want anyone else to be involved as far as production goes. I just wanted to make sure the song was genuine and real, instead of over embellished or filled out with a full band. I wanted to present the words I needed to say without any extra embellishments.
What motivates you to create music?
I don’t really think there is much else I’m good at! I create music because it’s all I know how to do.
You’ve lived and pursued in both Los Angeles and Texas. What were the pros and cons of each place as an indie artist?
This is a great question. The positive of living in LA is that the music industry is there, like the actual business. So the other artists you meet are on the same page as far as the little admin things that need to be taken care of, such as PROs, splitting royalties, making connections, film/tv placements, etc. Whatever you don’t know about the business is easy to learn because there is always someone who knows more than you who you can ask. But the downside is that it’s unfathomably expensive, and everyone there is doing their best to get by. It means people are choosy with their time because there is so little of it. People get very burned out, not only from the physical toll of working so hard to pay rent, but from having to “be on” all the time – meaning, go out and try to hang, try to make connections, be a cool person to be around. It’s exhausting not getting a little time off, and it’s exhausting not getting to fully be yourself!
The biggest positive of living in Texas is that the cost of living is much less than LA, but there’s still a ton of music there. Living in Texas means you don’t need a day job, and you can easily be a full-time musician. But the downside is that the business end of music can get lost, and it can be hard to find like-minded individuals who have all their ducks in a row, as far as the admin part of original music is concerned. There are a ton of music opportunities but most of it is the realm of the working musician – which means gigging (corporate, weddings, private parties – all covers) and teaching. Some people love that, but I find it frustrating that there isn’t a bigger push for original music here. I don’t want to sing other people’s songs forever. The biggest original music market in Texas is country and specifically Texas Country (no surprise there), so if you’re outside of that genre, you might benefit from a different location once you’ve gotten everything you can out of the Texas scene. The good news is that for musicians who like being a sideman, there are a ton of bigger name acts who will pick up their musicians from Texas to go out on the road.
Both places have a ton of positives, and more than a few things that could use a change. It’s important to go to the place, wherever that is, that brings you the most joy and affords you the life you want to live outside of music.
What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?
One of my most powerful music memories was hearing the song Me and a Gun by Tori Amos. I was already in love with music and had wanted to be a musician since I was very young, but that song was one of the darkest things I’d ever heard. It was a hard subject matter to hear about – especially as a teen. After that, I got very into Tori Amos and tried to write like her, and that was the first time I ever tried writing music. Although my music doesn’t sound like her now, she inspired my first attempts.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
I would really love to sing with Robert Plant and Allison Krauss – their musical collaboration is lovely and it would be such a dream to be a part of one of their songs together.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
You can find me on Instagram and Tiktok @KatrinaCainMusic! I also send newsletter updates via email, you can sign up for that list on my website: www.katrinacain.com.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Thank YOU so much for this opportunity to tell me story! I hope everyone loves the song, and I hope we get to talk again some time!
