Kreative Kontrol Ep. #1039: Austra
Nov 13, 2025
Katie Stelmanis, the talented songwriter and producer behind Austra, dives into her new album, Chin Up Buttercup. She reflects on how personal experiences, including heartbreak, shaped her music, detailing the process of transforming grief into euphoric, danceable tracks. Katie chats about the impact of the pandemic on creativity, her journaling as a source for lyrics, and even organizing social gatherings during lockdown. With a blend of humor and introspection, she showcases a unique approach to songwriting that celebrates resilience and connection.
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Episode notes
Returning Home In Toronto
- Katie lives across the street from her parents in the Toronto house she grew up in.
- She bought the house with her sister in 2016 and stayed in a once-less-sought neighbourhood that later gentrified.
Immediate Song From First-Week Shock
- Katie wrote Blindsided within the first week of the breakup as a voice note in her ex's apartment.
- She initially struggled with releasing it because it was a direct, concise recounting of what happened.
Album As Unplanned Grief Map
- The album unintentionally maps grief stages: shock, sustained grief, anger, and then humor/acceptance.
- Katie stopped making music temporarily because music no longer emotionally regulated her during deep grief.