Katie Stelmanis

Biography

Kaitlin "Katie" Austra Stelmanis (Latvian: Keitlīna "Keitija" Austra Štēlmanis, born 1985) is a Canadian musician who has performed and recorded both as a solo artist and with the bands Galaxy and Austra.

Career

Stelmanis is classically trained and began performing in the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus at age ten. She was subsequently a member of the band Galaxy, along with Maya Postepski and Emma McKenna.
In 2008, she released her debut solo album, Join Us, through Blocks Recording Club, a Toronto-based artistic collective. Her first single was "Believe Me". The same year, she appeared on Fucked Up's album The Chemistry of Common Life. She has also contributed tracks to the compilation albums Friends in Bellwoods and Friends in Bellwoods II.
In 2009, Stelmanis cofounded the project Austra, together with Postepski, who departed the project after the release of their third studio album, Future Politics, leaving Stelmanis as the sole remaining member.
In 2011, Stelmanis co-wrote and sang on the Death in Vegas songs "Come Ride with Me", "Your Loft My Acid", and "Witchdance", from their fifth studio album, Trans-Love Energies. She has also performed as part of the Bruce Peninsula choir.

Influences

Stelmanis has said that she was "obsessed with classical music" while growing up. She has cited artists such as Kate Bush, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack as influences. Additionally, she takes inspiration from opera, Chicago house, and Detroit techno.

Personal life

Stelmanis is of Italian, English, and Latvian descent. She identifies as a lesbian.