IN CONVERSATION WITH LEAH KATE
interview by JANA LETONJA
RIAA Certified Platinum artist, Leah Kate, is set to release her newest single ‘Just Because’ on 7th March. Known for her bold, empowering, and relatable anthems, she continues to redefine the pop genre. From dominating TikTok with viral moments garnering over 250 million views, to having her music featured in hit shows like ‘Selling Sunset’ and ‘The Hills’, Leah’s impact is undeniable.
‘Just Because’ captures a very personal moment for you. Can you take us back to that night in New York and how it inspired the song?
I was drunk living my best life in New York, no where to be and no one to go home to or report to about my whereabouts. My ex FaceTimed me explaining that if we were on a desert island we would get married and start a family and that he never fully forgot about me. It got me spiraling because I felt exactly the same. There are those people that you always go back to no matter the circumstances.
The song deals with the lingering feelings after a breakup. Was writing it a form of closure for you, or do you still feel connected to that moment?
I still feel connected to that moment. The whole point of the song is kind of like there is no closure and the door will never close. Hence the “I’ll call you cuz I miss the way that it was, I'll fall into your bed just because” I will always go back.
What do you hope fans take away from ‘Just Because’ when they listen to it for the first time?
The lyrics are super vulnerable and real to me, and I hope my fans can make their own meaning of the lyrics. When they listen to it for the first time, I hope they know that it’s so normal to feel this way about someone, where you can’t forget about them, and it's okay and you can make light of it.
You’ve mastered the art of turning personal experiences into anthems that so many people relate to. What’s your songwriting process like?
My job as a songwriter is to take painful experiences and turn them into fun anthems so no one feels alone in their journey of going through it. I always try to take a feeling or experience and turn it into a relatable concept or cool title that everyone can make their own meaning of.
‘10 Things I Hate About You’ was a massive hit with over 300 million streams. Did you expect it to blow up the way it did?
Not gonna lie, I think I did. When I wrote it, I was like “This is a smash.”
You’ve toured with some major artists like Anne-Marie, Madison Beer, and Hayley Kiyoko. What’s been the most surreal or memorable tour moment so far?
Touring with Anne Marie and performing ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ in the O2 arena hearing the entire crowd sing my lyrics was probably the craziest thing ever.
Your music has gone viral on TikTok multiple times. How do you feel about the platform’s influence on the music industry today?
I think that social media obviously has its pros and its cons. Of course it can be so stressful and upsetting when a video doesn't perform the way you envisioned it to perform, but it's so incredible having a platform like TikTok because it really just allows for the fans to decide instead of having gatekeepers in the music industry, like record labels and DSP’S. I never knew how to break through in the industry before TikTok because I thought I needed a label, and it's amazing that you can go online and your whole career can change. It really just allows for things to be in the artist's control which is amazing of course.
When you’re not working on new music or performing, how do you love to spend your free days?
Being a crazy dog mom, working out, eating good dinners, going out with friends.
What is coming up next for you in 2025?
Lots of new music, a new album, touring, and some insane collabs.
CREDITS:
photography CHRISTINA BRYSON
