Now Reading: Annika Catharina Under Open Skies, An Interview on Love That Holds and Songs That Know When to Let Go –
-
01
Annika Catharina Under Open Skies, An Interview on Love That Holds and Songs That Know When to Let Go –
Annika Catharina Under Open Skies, An Interview on Love That Holds and Songs That Know When to Let Go –
Canadian country artist Annika Catharina stepped into a steadier emotional light with her seminal single, Better Hands, a song shaped by certainty rather than collapse. This interview traces a writer who has found room to speak from contentment while still honouring the ache of past chapters, treating memory as narrative rather than an open wound. Annika reflects on how security has shifted her writing habits, why confidence and momentum sit at the heart of her next full-length release, and how enthusiasm in the room sharpens collaboration. There’s talk of big choruses that earn their place, lessons carried forward from her debut EP, and the quiet rituals that keep her focused as attention grows. It’s a conversation about love that works, energy that lifts, and songs learning when to stay and when to walk.
Welcome to A&R Factory, Annika! It’s great to have you here and talk about what you’ve been building lately
Thank you for having me!
“Better Hands” feels like a confident shift in emotional tone for you, what clicked in your life that made this song feel necessary right now, rather than another reflective cut?
I still love heartbreak songs and reflective songs – I write them all the time. But with “Better Hands,” I wanted to write about my current relationship and where I stand right now, rather than looking back on past relationships that didn’t work. I’m not heartbroken, and I haven’t been for a long time. I felt like it was time to put out a song that talks about what it feels like when things do work out. There really is love after heartbreak and bad relationships.
You’ve spoken about finding your person and the calm that comes with that. How has that sense of security changed the way you approach writing sessions these days?
Depending on what I’m writing, I really lean into that sense of love and happiness when I’m working on songs about finding your person and being truly loved by someone. And when I feel like going more into heartbreak, I can reflect on past experiences in more of a storytelling way, instead of actively trying to write my way through something I’m still in. That sense of security gives me the space to write from both places without being stuck in one emotion.
This single sits within plans for a full-length release. When you look at what’s coming next, what threads or moods feel central to the upcoming record?
The upcoming record really embodies confidence and carries a high-energy feel throughout. It touches on things like confidence, finding love, recognizing bad habits, and knowing when it’s time to walk away from a relationship. Even when you know letting go is the right choice, there’s still pain in it, and that’s something I really wanted to capture too. Overall, it feels honest, empowering, and very true to where I’m at right now.
Working again with Doug Folkins and Aidan Johnson-Bujold clearly brought something out in the room. What do you value most in collaborators when you’re shaping new material?
I really value enthusiasm in a room. Everyone brings different strengths and skills, and when you’re able to play off each other’s creativity, that’s when the best ideas happen. When everyone is working together and excited, great things can come out of it. I’m so grateful for what Doug, Aidan, and I created with “Better Hands.” We also wrote another song for the record called “Won’t Be You Tonight” that I’m incredibly proud of and can’t wait to release and perform live.
You’ve had a huge run of recognition across radio, playlists, and competitions in a short space of time. How do you stay grounded creatively when momentum starts moving fast?
I’m incredibly grateful for the past year, and I try to take time to really reflect on where I’m at in my career. One of the ways I stay grounded is by taking long walks with my mom – that’s where I get the space to process what I’ve done and think about what I want to do next. We reflect, and we dream, and it allows me to be patient with my creativity. Having some success with my songs has really made me more intentional about what I want to say next and how I want to move forward with the music I put out.
Your songs often balance intimacy with big open choruses. When you’re demoing new tracks for the next release, what tells you a song has earned its place?
Big choruses are something I’ve always loved in music, but I know not every song needs one. I’ve had a lot of fun demoing music for the next releases, and spoiler alert – there are definitely songs with big, high-energy choruses. Those are the ones I already can’t wait to perform live, because you can really feel that energy come through. I’m really excited about what’s coming out this year.
Coming off the release of your first EP and now stepping towards another body of work, what lessons from “You and Me” are quietly guiding the way forward?
“You and Me” was really rooted in love and heartbreak, and it was such an important body of work for me as an artist. It helped me realize the power of songwriting and music, and it made me reflect on things I didn’t even know needed reflecting. That project motivated me creatively to start tapping into different themes and sounds. I grew up listening to a lot of rock and roll, and with this new body of work, I wanted to lean into that a bit more – bring more edge, more confidence, and a bit of that outlaw energy into what I’m making now.
As someone rooted in Canadian country but clearly connecting beyond borders, what kind of listener do you picture when you’re writing these newer songs, if anyone at all?
I write based on emotions a lot, and to this day, it still shocks me when people tell me how they connected to a song. It’s such a special feeling, and honestly, a huge bonus when someone shares how something I wrote made them feel. When I’m writing, I don’t really picture a specific listener because I’m always surprised by who connects to what. It’s different with every release, and I think that’s one of the coolest parts – seeing the songs take on their own life with different people.
–
Discover more about Annika Catharina via her official website & connect with the artist on Instagram.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
Related Posts
Stay Informed With the Latest & Most Important News
Previous Post
Next Post
Advertisement
