Project Description
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Interview with
KATIE BROOKE
(18th May, 2025)
Interview with Dave Bruce
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Have you always wanted to be an artist? When did you get the song writing bug?
Yes, from as young as I can remember. I started entering talent competitions and getting singing lessons in late primary school and even at that stage I was obsessed with writing and would spend a lot of time in class writing poems for my friends instead of doing school work.
Briefly describe your journey to date.
I have taken the long way around that’s for sure. Probably several times. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. This career has taught me so much about work ethic, people, creativity, mindset, accountability, holding yourself to a dream and pursuing your passion consistently and relentlessly.
How would you describe your sound? Why do you think fans resonate with your music?
I feel like it took some time to find my sound but it’s very much traditional country, particularly my most recent projects. I think it’s unique and I’m definitely in my own lane but there’s also evidence of those who have really influenced my music over the years such as Alison Krauss, Joy Williams and Kasey Chambers. I think fans resonate with the authenticity and honesty of my music the most.
Your latest single ‘Relentless’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
‘Relentless’ was written during a particularly challenging time in my career. I felt like I was showing up consistently and investing so much of myself into my career but facing endless rejection and just spinning my wheels. It’s not at all uncommon to feel this way as an independent artist but I just felt like I couldn’t catch a break. Songwriting has always been my therapy and the day I wrote ‘Relentless’ that’s all I was seeking, I felt like I just needed to prove to myself “you’ve got this – look what you’re capable of”, and this song fell out. Now it serves as a very powerful reminder of what those difficult phases can produce, and why they’re just as important as the positive phases. I hope people are able to lean on it if they’re feeling defeated like I was.
Your latest Album ‘Relentless’ has also just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
My new album is a dance between fierce-outlaw-cowgirl vibes and down home-wholesome vibes. There are songs on there that saw me through some really challenging times like facing the devastating 2022 floods here on the Northern Rivers, deciding to part ways with someone who no longer feels like a friend, reminiscing about failures and chapters I should’ve approached differently. It also features a really special song dedicated to my daughter and family. Every song has been truly “lived in”, they’ve been nurtured and played around many campfires, the recording process was steady and intentional. There’s nothing rushed or forced about this record, it’s authentic and honest and my wish is that those who need this music find it.
What are the signature tracks on the album, and which are your favorites to play live?
‘Too Far Down’ which has already been released as a single remains to be one of my all time favourites. It changed my life in a way, and when I hear it now I still feel so grounded in it, it’s just the best representation of who I am as an artist and a songwriter and I feel it just levelled everything up for me. There’s also ‘Someone’s Enemy’, it’s special to me and many people close to me, it’s a campfire favourite and I love to play it live. ‘Secondhand Spurs’ and ‘Haunted or Holy’ both have a feel that I really love and ‘Ain’t No 9 to 5’ is special because it wasn’t really planned for the record but we snuck it on right at the end and when I heard the fiddle on the first mix it made me cry! I’ve just always wanted my music to sound like that. It’s a dream come true.
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What tours and events are coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
I’m currently doing an album launch tour with my band, we play in Brisbane this weekend at hot new country music venue “Chattahoochies” and we also play my home town launch which will be such a beautiful celebration with friends and family. We wrap the tour up at the end of May at The Hoey Moey Country Music Festival.
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Currently I’d love to perform with Charles Wesley Godwin, I love his music and the way he approaches his career, I think we’d do a great collab.
What are your long-term aspirations as a music artist and how are you progressing towards them?
I’d love to expand on touring with my band, get to more country music festivals and meet as many country fans as possible! They’re my people. I’m also going to continue diving deep into my songwriting and explore cowriting more.
With that in mind, what piece of advice would you give to an artist starting out?
It’s tempting to dabble in the trends to stay relevant or look “cool”, but I think people will always gravitate towards authenticity the most. Get to know yourself well before presenting your work to the world, even if it takes longer than you’d hoped.
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
Seeing their reaction to a song you wrote in your humble home on a random rainy day. Connecting with people and making life-long friends. I would say winning the semi-final of The Listen Up Music Songwriting Prize was a highlight, and now being on the judging panel. It’s all about the song and that’s what matters most to me.
What is the one topic you can talk about for hours?
Astrology
What is the thing you like most about yourself?
My ability to adapt.
Finally, just a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Blue by LeAnn Rimes
Artist – Alison Krauss
Movie – Practical Magic
Place to visit – Tenterfield, Stanthorpe area
Venue to play – The Press Basement Bar Tamworth
Food – any kind of smoked meat with fresh slaw
Drink – Hendricks Gin with elderflower tonic water, or a marg
Person in History – Calamity Jane
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I have an ankle tattoo with planets and stars and “Dreamers Tired Mind” written, one of my first songs released back in 2020.
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TOUR DATES:
Friday 16th May – Chattahoochee Joe’s – Brisbane QLD
Saturday 17th May – Mummulgum Hall – Mummulgum NSW
Saturday 31st May – The Hoey Moey Country Music Festival – Coffs Harbour NSW
Sunday 1st June – The Crown Hotel Grafton – Grafton NSW
Sunday 15th June – The Northern Rivers Hotel – Lismore NSW
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Follow KATIE BROOKE
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify
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Press Release 2nd May 2025 (below) HERE
KATIE BROOKE
shares second studio album
‘RELENTLESS’
+ Upcoming show dates
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