Diandra Interviews Catie Turner: An Artist For 2021
As the year wraps up, we are huddling in with reflection and a desire for new artists that can wrap up 2020 and bring us into January 20, 2021. (lol!) Catie Turner is an artist for 2021; a year that will be about rebuilding and assuring that every new start begins with our heart in the forefront. No more will we settle for doing things for “stability;” clearly, that word does not exist. Instead, let us do things for love the love of living today and not the hope of living tomorrow. For this Catie Turner’s “One Day” feels absolutely right; a light, rich reality check for anyone whose mind books it to the future when today’s chapter has yet to be written. In our interview, she discusses the things that make her days happier like being a “couch-potato” with her newly adopted dog, dancing, procrastinating, creating, Twilight, and imagining conversations with The Beatles during their psychedelic era.
Diandra: What was the inspiration and creative process behind “One Day?”
Catie Turner: One day was written in Nashville in July, 2019, with my two good friends, Annika and Andrew. I was 19 and SUPER in love, and I was talking about how my boyfriend at the time proposed to me – but not with a ring or anything extravagant, it was the promise of a future. Me, being thrilled, go into the session spilling all the beans. Obviously the more sane people in the room had some questions. “Is it too fast?” I agreed with them – but on the inside I was screaming “ITS LOVE!”. We broke up in September. So, the narrative of the actual song is a bit different from the story that inspired it, but I actually prefer it (she laughs)
Catie Turner – One Day (Official Lyric Video)
Diandra: If there was one movie you could turn into a concept album which it would it be and why?
Catie Turner: Twilight. I wish I had a deep, well-thought out answer for why, but I think it’s just because I enjoy the overall aesthetic of sparkling Vampires and forestry.
Diandra: Bouncing off that question, if there was one album you could make into a movie, which would it be and why?
Catie Turner: MADE IN THE AM – ONE DIRECTION. It makes me feel magical, so it would look magical. Chills over my whole body magical. I’m really showing my age with these answers, aren’t I?
Diandra: What is character, from a book or tv show, that you see yourself in their love story? How so?
Catie Turner: I have never seen myself in a character’s love story before – partly due to my crippling insecurity and pessimism that screams: “that could never be me!” But seeing myself overall, in a character, I would say it would be Stiles from Teen Wolf or Harper Finkle from Wizards of Waverly place. I feel like both of those characters and I are all functioning with one shared brain cell between us.
(simp)le love song – original
Diandra: Known as a songwriter, what is one of your favorite lyrics you have ever written?
Catie Turner: “I don’t take spoonfuls of romanticism in my tea” or “I wanna forget about you like you forgot about me”
Diandra: What are 2 lessons you learned from American Idol that you feel most pertain to surviving and thriving in the industry?
Catie Turner: Patience and waiting. Lots and lots of Patience – and lots and lots of waiting. American Idol is full of 6:15 am call times where you really won’t even start working until 11. I never understood why – until I really started working in the music industry. Patience is key. Waiting is key. You will do it the rest of your career.
Diandra: Known for your fashion sense, as well, whom are some fashion icons whose style feels like music to you? Why them?
Catie Turner: I love old school Lana del Rey, and Marina in her “Electra Heart” era. Their look matched the music they were making; I can’t explain it. It was just their whole package tied with a pretty pink retro bow. Catie Turner – i luv him (Official Performance Video)
Diandra: What are 3 things you have learned, especially about yourself, during 2020?
Catie Turner: 1) I procrastinate, but I don’t do well with the idea of doing nothing. It got to a certain point where I would crawl out of my skin during quarantine because I was just existing. Existing isn’t that fun for me if I’m not being creative.
2) I like to dance, even if it’s bad.
3) I adopted my dog this year, and I love him with every piece of my heart. I never thought I could love something that much, but 2020 taught me just how hard I really can love.
Diandra: If you could make the perfect world, what are 3 rules or rather laws you would have everyone follow?
Catie Turner: First law: boys are not allowed to break your heart.
Second law: you are not allowed to litter
Third law: Everyone must watch Twilight
Diandra: Describe the moment you knew you were good at music and that it was your path.
Catie Turner: I think it took me until singing with Katy Perry, on the finale of American idol, until I actually realized I was good at music. Even though I have passed all these rounds and made it to top 7, I still had my doubts; I felt like it was an inside joke. But when I sang onstage with Katy Perry, and just melted into the moment, I wish I could bottle that feeling and keep it on a book shelf.
lie (demo) – catie turner
Diandra: If you were a Joni Mitchell song, which would you be and why?
Catie Turner: Help Me…because that is my reaction anytime I find myself falling in love with literal strangers on the street.
Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory?
Catie Turner: Pretending to be sick and staying home from school where I would watch MTV cribs re-runs. Everything just felt so…simple. Very obscure, but true.
Diandra: If you could go any place in time, where would you go and to visit who? It can be anyone! What would you talk to them about?
Catie Turner: I’d love to visit the 60’s. I’d probably visit the Beatles during their “I Am The Walrus” era…and I’d just let them talk; I’d ask about nothing in particular. I think their thoughts during that psychedelic era would make for some priceless conversation.
Diandra: If Music could literally incarnate into a person, what would you say he or she provides for you as a companion? What would be your dream day together?
Catie Turner: They would provide me the perfect amount of comfort, a shoulder that was made for me to cry on; They would be my best friend: a true soulmate. My dream day would be just to sit on a couch and eat mediocre takeout as we just enjoy each other’s company. When I love someone, just being with them is enough.
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