A Chat with Katie Dauson (11.04.25)
With a deep appreciation for the golden eras of music and a heart full of timeless hope, Katie Dauson brings a refreshing sincerity to the modern music scene. Her latest album, Pure Katie, is a personal statement, crafted with intention, love, and a clear vision of what music can still be in a fast-paced world. Blending the nostalgic sounds of the ’50s through the ’80s with her own heartfelt lyricism, Dauson creates music that feels both familiar and deeply personal. This isn’t just about making music; it’s about making connections.
OSR: What’s the story behind the album title Pure Katie? Is there a particular significance or meaning behind it?
Dauson: I originally had a different title for the album during the album writing process. As the album started to come together, I changed the title to Pure Katie because I felt that the music was unique and really suited the styles that I love. As with every project I work on, I pour my heart and soul into it, and I really felt that Pure Katie suited the music and effort that went into this album.
OSR: How do you approach blending different genres and styles in your music? Is there a particular sound or era that inspires you?
Dauson: There are so many genres and styles of music that I enjoy, but feel get little to no love in today’s music world. I love to listen to music on vinyl. I have a nice stereo set up at home and it’s very enjoyable to just sit back and listen like that. I love music mostly from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and a little bit into the 80’s, and to me that was when music was at its best and most creative.
OSR: Can you tell us about your favourite song on the album and why it’s special to you?
Dauson: My favourite song on the album is ‘One More Step’. It’s a change of pace from what most of the album is, and it touches my heart. I hope it touches others the same way it does me.
OSR: How does your music reflect your personality and values?
Dauson: I always believe in having some hope and positivity in my music. I try to do that in real life too. If there’s no hope in a song that I’m listening to, it gets me down. There’s too much negativity in the world as it is. I want to bring a little joy to peoples’ lives, even if it’s for only a few minutes.
OSR: What’s the most challenging part of being a musician, and how do you overcome it?
Dauson: It’s not being a musician that’s most challenging, but being a songwriter. I never know when inspiration is going to strike, and when I write a song, I know when I like it, but I don’t know if it will resonate with listeners. I’ve written a lot of songs that sit on the cutting room floor because I feel they just aren’t good enough, but maybe I’ve scrapped something that would’ve really worked well; I just don’t know.
OSR: How do you stay connected with your fans and build a community around your music?
Dauson: I’m very easily accessible, whether it be on social media, or in person. I’m always happy to engage in a conversation. I’m very shy, but I do like to make people happy, and it makes me happy when they’re happy.
OSR: Can you walk us through your process for designing the album artwork and visuals?
Dauson: The actual album photo was taken at a concert, by my producer, James Nickle, and I loved that photo. I decided it would be a great album cover photo. I then picked out a nice font that I liked from the Adobe Font library, and just like that, the album cover was done. I felt going minimalist on this cover made a lot of sense for the album.
OSR: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about music or creativity?
Dauson: A teacher who I admire greatly, who taught me in college, and whom I’m still friends with used to always say in class: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” I always found that very inspiring because it wasn’t just about creativity, but about working hard to get to where I wanted to be.
OSR: How do you prioritize your mental and physical health as a musician?
Dauson: I have mental health issues, and I seek help with those every week. I feel that it’s really important to get help and talk about my issues, but that doesn’t hold me back. Writing music, as well as performing is very cathartic, and when people enjoy my music, it makes me feel really good, and that I’ve contributed to helping others. As for my physical health, I’ve had to fight through plenty throughout my life, and I monitor that closely. But, I’m sure I’m not alone on either front.
OSR: What’s the one thing you hope listeners remember about you and your music after they’ve finished listening to the album?
Dauson: I really hope that I’ve inspired and made listeners happy.
Many thanks to Katie Dauson for speaking with us. Find out more about Katie Dauson on her Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.
