When you start making music at the age of 12 you’re bound to go through some changes as your career progresses.
Gold Coast artist Katie Hearn performed as popular act Katie Who for over 10 years, and she is now creating music as TRILLIAH. We had a quick chat to discuss the shifts within herself, and the reflection of those in her music life.
When did you change from Katie Who to TRILLIAH?
On December 8 last year, I had a launch of the rebrand at MO’s Desert Clubhouse.
What does TRILLIAH mean to you? Why that name?
It is bold, courageous, unapologetic and sincere. The name itself is multifaceted to me. It derives from a three-petalled wildflower called trillium. “Tri” is three, which happens to be my number. “Trill” is my voice. “Liah” means lioness.
What have been the biggest shifts for you personally and musically?
Stepping out of the shadows. There has been a massive energetic shift, the best way to explain it, is that I’m not hiding anymore.
I used to play a lot of cover gigs, I felt more like I had something to prove, or perhaps I was trying to fit in a box or make it something that could be explained or easily understood. Then in 2020 I started playing and channelling music in plant medicine ceremonies. It allowed me to express more sincere experiences through my music. I feel as though in a way my music became real medicine.
Now my genre bending ways and playing my own game has just felt much truer to me than before. I make music that feels good, not music that ‘makes sense’.
What else do GC folks need to know about your music, or you?
I run a monthly event called Spell Song Circle. It’s on the third Sunday of every month at Tugun Community Centre. The next one is coming up on Aug 20.
I bring all of my worlds together, from mantras to bangers and everything in between. It’s about community coming together to sing, dance, express and play in what I’m calling an ‘interactive ceremonial rock show’. It’s for everyone, and I would love to see more people meet their edges and come join me for this unique experience.
Also, I’m available for events, house concerts and private functions. I love wearing all the different hats, and curating my sets for all kinds of themes.
My ongoing GoFundMe page is for anyone who would like to donate to my recording fund. Committing to releasing new music every month has a lot of costs involved, and these days artists don’t get paid via streams. It’s something like one cent per 30 streams. So I say, support your local artists in whatever way you can, buying tickets to their shows or merch, and donating so we can all keep creating the art we were born to make.
I am so grateful for all the ongoing support from community. I feel like I’m being crowd surfed to the next level of my career.
Follow @trilliah_ for more