Canadian country pop singer-songwriter Annika Catharina knew she wanted to be a songwriter after listening to Patsy Cline for the first time.
The catchy melodies of "Walking After Midnight" and "Crazy" inspired Catharina to start singing covers of country songs and competing in shows in her home province of British Columbia. Then, in 2017, a traumatic accident put her dreams on hold. Refusing to give up on her music career, she made her comeback four years later with a collaborative cover of "Sweet Child of Mine" that blew up on Spotify.
Catharina made her debut as a solo artist with her 2023 single, "Better," a melancholy tune about falling out of love. After releasing her January single "Dishonest," an energizing rebuke of an untruthful lover, she placed as a semi-finalist in the 2025 SiriusXM Top of the Country Competition. Her first EP, You And Me, came out in May, with the title track making it onto the Billboard Canada Country Top 50.
We got to chat with Catharina to learn more about her journey, her year in music, and much more.
What are three things people should know about Annika Catharina?
I absolutely love performing - it's where I feel the most myself.
Creating and sharing music is such a big part of who I am, and I'm always working on something new.
And when I'm not doing that, I love spending time with my family. They've been such a huge support system for me and keep me grounded through it all.
Who or what inspired you to be a songwriter and perform music?
I grew up in a family that really loved music. There was always something playing in the house — whether it was a record, a musical on TV, or someone just singing along. I've always loved performing; my siblings and I used to put on little skits or shows for our family all the time.
Songwriting came a bit later for me. Once I started paying closer attention to lyrics and the way songs were written, I realized how powerful it was that an artist could take something so personal and turn it into a story that feels universal. That's what really drew me in. Artists like Noah Cyrus have been huge inspirations for me – her honesty and the way she captures emotion in her songs really pushed me to find my own voice as a writer.
Earlier this year you dropped your debut EP, You and Me. Can you talk about the influence behind this collection of songs?
You and Me is really a reflection of all the different experiences I've had with love – both the beautiful and the messy parts. Each song dives into a different side of it: the pain of being lied to, the moments of self-doubt, the heartbreak of losing someone, and the rollercoaster of love and hate that can exist in a relationship. But there's also that sense of hope and desire – the part of you that still wants to believe in love, no matter what.
When it came to creating the sound for the EP, I pulled inspiration from a lot of different artists. I was really influenced by people like Dasha, Shaboozey, and Noah Cyrus. They each have such a unique way of blending emotion and storytelling, and that definitely shaped how I approached these songs in the studio.
Is there a song on the EP that was the most difficult to write/record for one reason or another?
"Dishonest" was definitely the hardest one for me. It's such a personal song, and I knew that once I put it out into the world, people who know me would probably know who it was about. That was a new and kind of scary feeling. I remember overthinking it - wondering how people would react, what they'd think of me, and even how the person the song's about might feel hearing it. All of that made release week a lot more nerve-racking than usual, but it was also really freeing to be that honest in my music.
Your single "Better Hands" dropped earlier this fall. What can you tell us about the backstory and inspiration behind it?
"Better Hands" was inspired by looking back on all the bad relationships I've been in and realizing how different things feel now that I'm with someone who truly treats me right. I wanted this song to be positive and to focus on what a healthy, loving relationship can look like when it feels safe and real.
The verses touch on those past experiences, the times when things didn't feel good or when I wasn't being valued because I know a lot of people can relate to that. But at its core, this song is about growth and gratitude. It's about finally finding the person who lifts you up and makes you feel like you're in better hands.
What can you tell us about the writing and/or recording process with this song? Any hurdles or last minute changes etc.?
We wrote "Better Hands" over Zoom, which is funny because it still felt so natural and creative even through a screen. I wrote it with my good friends Doug Folkins and Aidan Bujold-Johnson. Doug came in with the title, and as we started tossing around ideas, we landed on comparing past relationships to the one I have now – that contrast between what love used to feel like and what it feels like when it's right.
When it came time to record, my producers already had the track ready to go, and I was so excited to lay down vocals. But of course, that's when I started feeling sick. I tried to push through, but after about 30 minutes, we decided to stop and reschedule. Getting sick on vocal day is kind of my worst nightmare, but honestly, it was the right call. It made the timeline a bit tighter for release, but thanks to my amazing team, everything came together perfectly in time for the drop.
What are one or two pinnacle moments for you as an artist?
There have been so many amazing moments that I feel really grateful for. Being part of SiriusXM Top of the Country competition was definitely a big one. It was such an incredible experience and a huge milestone for me. Playing at Boots and Hearts was another "pinch me" moment that I'll never forget.
If you could tour and open for any present-day artist, who would it be and why?
I would love to open for JJ Wilde. Even though I'm more in the country lane, I've looked up to her for years. She's such a powerhouse and I love everything she does. Her energy, her voice, and the way she owns the stage are so inspiring to me.
I'd also love the chance to open for Cameron Whitcomb. He's another artist I really admire. I've seen him perform a few times, and every single time I'm blown away by his presence and how connected he is to the crowd. Both of them are such strong performers and getting to share a stage with either would be such an honor.
What are some of your goals - whether musically or otherwise - for 2026?
In 2026, I really want to keep growing as a songwriter by doing more co-writes and continuing to challenge myself creatively. I plan to keep releasing music consistently, leading up to another EP, which I'm really excited about. I also want to play more live shows with a full band - that's something I've been looking forward to for a while. Performing live is one of my favorite parts of what I do, and I can't wait to take that to the next level.
Photo by Baby Snakes Photography
Listen on Spotify
No comments:
Post a Comment