Annika Catharina’s “Bandit” is for everyone who is determined to go above and beyond to steal someone’s heart in creative and romantic ways.
Grew up in Deroche, moved to Mission, and are now based in Abbotsford, BC. Abbotsford is ‘where farm meets table, spirit meets nature, and travelers meet our diverse community.’ The Canada Day community celebration was July 1, with a parade, family festival and fireworks celebration. What else would you recommend to a first-time summer visitor?
There is so much to do around Abbotsford and Mission (about a 15-minute drive from Abbotsford).
I am more familiar with Mission as I am still getting myself acquainted with Abbotsford and what it has to offer. Mission is full of green spaces, hikes, lakes, and various other places where you can participate in recreational activities. My favourite hikes in Mission are the Hunters Trail and Bear Mountain. If you’re brave, we have fantastic mountain biking; I have been too scared to hop on a bike since my accident, so I stick to the hiking trails. The hikes range from easy to moderate to difficult, so there is something for everyone.
Besides hiking, if you travel east of Mission, you will find Sandpiper Golf Course. The golf course is one of my favourite places to release stress and spend time with my family — my whole family plays the game, so it’s fun to get out during the warm summer days.
If you’re not into golfing, you have to check some of the breweries. Fieldhouse Brewing and Old Yale Brewing are great breweries that offer live music, family-friendly spaces (and pet-friendly) and tasty food. Hitting up one of the breweries is a must if you come to Abbotsford during your travels. I love going to restaurants and supporting local businesses.
If you come to Abbotsford, you can only leave once you try Banter Ice Cream; it is hands down the best ice cream I have ever tasted! I know both Mission and Abbotsford have so much more to offer, but if you’re a foodie and love hiking and golf, definitely check out these places!!
“My mom was big on entertaining; every family event had some entertainment, from singing and dancing to mini musicals.” You loved making plays or musical numbers with your siblings to perform for family. It was on stage that you felt like the ‘real Annika.’ Loved singing classics like ones from Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Patsy Cline. Which songs of these artists would make a classics playlist for fans new to their music?
My ultimate playlist for these artists would include these iconic hits!
By the lovely Aretha Franklin, I’d have:
“(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
By Etta James, I’d go with:
Last but not least, Patsy Cline:
These songs have inspired me as a singer. I grew up blasting them in the car with my family, singing along as if we were putting on a concert in the car!
Joined the choir and band in elementary school and continued through high school. You had a 3-piece synth-pop band after high school, learning to adapt for each gig. How did these gigs help shape the artist you are today?
I have done many gigs, each offering something new to experience and learn from.
For instance, these gigs have taught me how to engage with the audience while singing and how to talk to people in front of me between songs; nothing is worse than dead air!! I also learned how to read the room and cater each performance to those who come to watch.
Since gigging, I have learned the importance of song selection and how to set up, take down, and talk to people. I tend to be shy when getting to know people, but gigging has made me more sociable. I love it when people come up to chat; I love meeting new people and listening to their stories! Performing is something I have always been drawn to, and I continue to put my heart and soul into each performance.
I am grateful for all the hours and years of performing, as they have helped shape who I am today and what kind of artist I am.
A devastating accident and facial reconstruction surgery initially sidelined your musical pursuits as a young adult. “Music was such a big part of my healing journey.” How did music therapy improve your mental and physical health?
Since there wasn’t much I could do while healing, I made the most of it by listening to lots of music. I would take my phone, throw my headphones on and go for a slow walk (I had no energy for a couple of months). Listening and walking outside was my favourite thing to do. I started to discover so many different types of genres and other artists and started listening to a lot of classic rock.
My healing time was when I began considering integrating different artists’ songs into my cover sets for when I could finally sing again. I also used music as a time for intense healing. When feeling down, I would listen to sad ballads and let myself sit with those emotions and just be. I’d reflect on everything; I started looking at life differently during this time and learned so much about myself and my purpose.
This period also made me realize that music is essential and that I was ready to allow myself to chase my dream — life’s too short to hold back.
“What if I,” written with fellow country artists Parker Graye and Brettyn Rose, along with the song’s producers, The Renaissance (Dan Botch and Garrett Ward). “I feel like this is a song that’s most relatable to relationships, but also applies to feeling stuck in a job or a moment where you want something more. I want people to feel happy, hopeful, and excited when they hear ‘What if I’ and feel bold enough to go after the person, relationship, and the life that they really want.” What inspired the co-write?
“What if I” came together relatively fast. Dan Botch, Garrett Ward and Brettyn Rose started the song together. I was driving out to the studio to write with Dan and Garrett to work on a concept we talked about beforehand (similar concept to “What if I”), and they played me a song they started with Brettyn. I instantly fell in love with the energetic chorus. We finished the song with Parker Graye and quickly produced it; we finished the song near the end of last summer. I wanted to release it instantly, but I knew there was so much other behind-the-scenes things I had to do before releasing the song! I was super happy with how the song came together!
“Bandit,” the music video (directed by Max Chadwick) was shot using Blackmagic Pocket 4k Graded with Dehancer. “Bandit” is for everyone who is determined to go above and beyond to steal someone’s heart in creative and romantic ways.” How was the storyboard created to capture an experience that could transport listeners into the moments that the ‘bandit’ is describing throughout the song?
While creating the music video for “Bandit,” we kept the idea of simplicity in mind. I wanted the main focus to be on me while filming so the viewer could see how I connected to the song. I kept envisioning myself being free in various landscapes while singing. Max did a great job captivating so many memorable moments. Before filming, we discussed this. I also sent him a bunch of references from other artists, including the colour, texture, angles, time of day, and different landscapes. I believe the song is great on its own; it needed more of a visualizer, which we accomplished while shooting the video.
Golfing, hiking, lounging by the pool or out on a boat. What are some of your summer plans with your family?
My husband and I went to Osoyoos for the Canada Day long weekend and just got back from Port Hardy (the farthest point North on Vancouver Island). We plan to spend the rest of our summer hanging out with our families and attending a couple of weddings. The summer is a busy time for shows and gigs with the band, but we make sure we put aside time to go on a few trips each summer!
For more about Annika Catharina, visit AnnikaCatharina.com or find her on social media:
Instagram: @AnnikaCatharinaMusic Facebook: @AnnikaCatharinaMusic
TikTok: @annikacatharinamusic X: @AnnikaCatharina
Spotify: tinyurl.com/annikacatharinaspotify YouTube: @AnnikaCatharina