The title of Katie Nicholas’ new single has become hauntingly relevant. The story of ‘You Kill Me’ is about forbidden love but it takes on a more sinister meaning in the context of its release. It almost didn’t see the light of day this week due to a technical error, exposing the dark side to a faceless and automated music industry. How this affects the mental health of artists has been brought firmly into the spotlight by Katie. It is in many ways a far cry from the laid-back musings of the track’s pedal steel. Its acoustic rendering is classic Americana, containing a hint of whimsical Folk that has followed from her most recent EP, ‘Feather‘. The addition of Robert Vincent on vocals shapes the narrative’s languid despair. “You hurt me in the softest way” sums up the overall feeling of the music. Sadly, Katie’s real-life experience has been a lot more severe. In a landscape domineered by streaming giants and selfish algorithms, ‘You Kill Me’ is, like so much music today, at the mercy of these gatekeepers. But to those at the grassroots, her determination to persevere and share her latest creation is a sign of hope-filled rebellion.
You can follow Katie’s story on her Instagram. To purchase the single, visit her page on BandCamp.
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