Anna Katarina is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter blending retro warmth with indie pop and Americana. Her songs are emotionally honest and hook-driven, shaped by West Coast sensibilities and a love of classic songwriting. Known for her soulful vocals and inviting stage presence, Anna creates music that is intimate, timeless, and fun.
Hailed by Exclaim! as “one of Canada’s most exciting emerging artists,” her sound lands somewhere between Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow, with a modern twist of Maggie Rogers.
Follow Anna Karatina on Instagram.
Anna has performed across North America and Europe, with appearances at BreakOut West (Canada), Your Roots Are Showing (Ireland), Sand & Strings Festival (Mexico), and Folk Alliance International (USA). She tours annually in Europe.
“She sings beautifully, I think it’s really, really something. The track [Riptide] is very beautifully put together, very classy, and the production is great. It’s creamy and welcoming, it wraps you up in fluff.”
— Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
1. What is the coolest show you have ever played?
Starting things off with a tough question! The show that jumps to mind first is last October at Mukl9900 in Lienz, Austria. The room was packed, the venue and team were amazing, and Lienz is this perfect mountain ski town that reminded me a lot of my hometown, Nelson BC. I love Canada, but I have to say that there is something special about the attentiveness of European audiences!
2. How do you keep yourself healthy and happy working in music?
Love this! Balance is key, and always a struggle, if I’m being honest. I’ll start with the physical. When I’m home, I have a strong workout routine and eat a really clean, whole food diet. I’m also a big nerd and love red light therapy, sauna/cold plunge, massage, anything in that realm! Being on tour is when this gets hard. I just don’t have time for anything other than being on tour, and you’re often at the mercy of other people feeding you. I’ve learned to go easy on myself and really lower my expectations in terms of what I can accomplish. If I can average 8,000 steps a day and avoid eating too much processed food, I’m happy.
Staying healthy mentally is a lot harder. This industry isn’t for the faint of heart, and unfortunately many of us artists are super-sensitive. I make sure to always have things happening and friends in my life outside of music, or else I get crazy tunnel vision. Setting attainable goals so that I feel a sense of accomplishment, and making sure I recognize my achievements and growth. Something I recently realized has helped me a lot is having fitness goals. Marketable music “accomplishments” can feel few and far between, and often depend on other people saying Yes or No. If I can find a sense of achievement in other areas of my life, especially something like fitness where it’s purely dependent on me instead of others, it can help my overall feelings of being successful.
3. What is the biggest challenge you’ve experienced in getting to where you are?
Being one in a million, and having to be a full-time content creator/marketing specialist. I know I have something special to offer, but it’s hard to stand out amid a sea of creators (AI is NOT helping). With social media and current marketing best-practices, it is so. much. work. to promote my music and brand. Not to mention, it costs a lot of money to continuously record and promote music. It’s a massive fight to keep making time to be creative VS making Instagram reels, and just working to make enough money to live and invest into my project!
4. What is the best part of your life that isn’t music-related?
My fiancé (he’s the best), family and living 2 blocks from the ocean in my favourite neighbourhood of Vancouver.
5. What is the best advice you have been given in the music business?
- To generate income from work unrelated to your musical project (unless you don’t need to, you lucky duck). Hearing this from one of my idols allowed me to give myself permission to feel successful in my career even if I am making some of my money elsewhere.
- Your solo show will be one of your best tools.