featuring @AnnikaCatharinaMusic
Breakout Canadian country artist Annika Catharina is set to release her sophomore EP, “Up All Night”. Produced by The Renaissance (Dan Botch and Garrett Ward), “Up All Night” expands beyond the love and heartbreak themes of Annika’s 2025 debut, “You and Me”, to explore new ground while retaining her distinct country essence and adding deliberate touches of rock and folk.
Annika says, “This EP is inspired by things that can keep us up at night – ideas, stories, songs that make us want to dance, and the deeper thoughts we have as we experience life and discover who we are. ‘Up All Night’ navigates the balance between having fun, embracing chaos, learning from the past, and looking ahead with confidence and self-awareness.”
Congratulations on the new EP! “Up All Night” blends country with rock and folk influences while diving into themes of fun, chaos, and self-discovery. What inspired the overall vibe and storytelling arc of this project?
Honestly, it all came from the thoughts that keep me up at night. Some of those are deep and reflective, and some are just about wanting to stay out with my friends and hear one more song before going home. I wanted the EP to capture both sides of that.
After releasing “Under Covers” and “Better Hands,” I realized I was leaning into a more confident country-rock sound. The songs I was writing weren’t as focused on the heartbreak itself, they were about what came after it. Growing up, moving on, finding yourself again, and learning to have fun. Once I realized that was the common thread, everything else about the EP just fell into place.
The EP includes three brand-new tracks alongside recent singles like “Old Habit,” which has already surpassed 800K Spotify streams. How did you decide which songs belonged together on this 7-track collection, and what makes “Old Habit” special to you?
I was intentional about the order of the songs. I wanted the EP to feel like a journey where each track keeps you engaged while still flowing naturally into the next. Every song has its own personality, but they all share the same confidence and edge, which helped everything fit together.
“Old Habit” is especially special to me. I wrote it with one of my good friends, Jada Leroux, and it came together so naturally. It’s about finally reaching the point where you’re done giving someone chance after chance. We used the idea of a bad habit (smoking) as a metaphor for a relationship you know isn’t good for you but keeps pulling you back in. I think a lot of people have had someone like that in their life, which is why the song has connected with so many listeners
“Up All Night” feels like a celebration of embracing life’s messiness and figuring out who you are. Are there any personal experiences from the past couple of years that heavily shaped these songs?
Yes! A lot of these songs came from reflecting on a relationship that wasn’t good for me. But instead of focusing on how much it hurt, I found myself writing about what came after it. The growth, the confidence I gained, and learning to choose myself. I think that’s why this EP feels a little different than my previous music.
“Cartwheels” is probably the most personal song on the record. It’s really about growing up and realizing that somewhere along the way, you lose that carefree version of yourself. It’s me looking back on childhood, reflecting on the moments where life started to change, and wondering when we stopped doing the little things that made us feel free. I think everyone has a moment where they miss that version of themselves, and I hope people hear a bit of their own story in that song.
Since your debut EP, you’ve racked up impressive milestones — 3 million streams, a Billboard Canada Country Top 50 single with “Love and Hate,” and heavy playlist support. How has that momentum influenced the way you approached creating “Up All Night”?
Having that support really boosted my confidence as an artist. When songs like “Love and Hate,” “Under Covers,” and “Old Habit” connected with people, it gave me the freedom to trust my instincts instead of wondering what everyone else wanted to hear.
Going into “Up All Night”, I spent a lot more time thinking about what I wanted to say next. I wanted to make a record that felt honest to who I am right now; more confident, a little bolder, and not afraid to lean into the country-rock sound that feels the most like me. I think the momentum from those earlier songs gave me the confidence to make the record I truly wanted to make.
You’ve scored back-to-back #1s on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country and became a semi-finalist in their competition. What has that kind of radio love meant for you as an independent Canadian country artist?
It was incredibly reassuring. As an independent artist, there are a lot of moments where you wonder if you’re on the right path, so having SiriusXM believe in my music the way they did meant so much.
It also made me really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish independently. A few years ago, I probably would have thought you needed a major label or a huge team behind you to reach those kinds of milestones. Being part of the Top of the Country competition and hearing “Love and Hate” on the radio were moments I’ll never forget. They reminded me that if the songs connect with people, amazing things can happen, no matter how big your team is.
Your sound has a clear country foundation but confidently pulls in rock and folk elements. Who are some of your biggest musical influences across those genres, and how do they show up in this EP?
Some of my biggest influences on this EP were Evanescence, Cameron Whitcomb, and Elle King. They’re all artists who aren’t afraid to blur genre lines, and that’s something I’ve always been drawn to.
Going into the writing sessions and production, I really wanted to bring together my love of country storytelling with the energy of rock and the raw, organic feel of folk music. You can hear that in the bigger guitars, the edgier production, and the more confident attitude throughout the record. I wanted “Up All Night” to feel rooted in country while still reflecting all the different kinds of music that have inspired me over the years.
As the face of Apple Music Canada’s Country editorial playlist for “Old Habit,” you’re reaching a lot of new listeners. What’s one message or feeling you hope first-time fans take away from “Up All Night”?
I hope people hear a little bit of themselves in these songs. Whether they’re getting over heartbreak, growing into a new version of themselves, or just looking for an excuse to roll the windows down and sing at the top of their lungs, I hope this EP gives them that.
I felt more confident than ever while writing “Up All Night”, and I hope that confidence comes through. More than anything, I hope people finish the record feeling like they’re ready to have fun, make memories, and embrace whatever chapter they’re in.
The title “Up All Night” evokes energy, late-night adventures, and maybe a little rebellion. Is there a particular song on the EP that best captures that title track energy for you?
100%! I think there are two songs that really capture the spirit of the EP – “Won’t Be You Tonight” and “Under Covers.”
“Won’t Be You Tonight” has that carefree, confident energy. It’s about moving on, getting your friends together, and choosing to have a great night instead of dwelling on someone who doesn’t deserve your time. “Under Covers” has that same sense of freedom and fun, with a little bit of mischief. Both songs capture the feeling of staying out late, making memories, and living in the moment, which is exactly what “Up All Night” is all about.
Looking back at your journey since 2024, what’s one moment or lesson that’s stuck with you and helped you grow as both an artist and a songwriter?
There have been so many lessons over the past couple of years. The music industry is definitely a roller coaster, but honestly, I kind of love that about it. There are always new challenges, and every one of them has taught me something and pushed me to grow as both an artist and a songwriter.
These past few years have also made me incredibly grateful that I get to make music for a living. It’s not something I take for granted.
If there’s one lesson that’s really stuck with me, it’s to believe in yourself. It sounds simple, but it’s something I remind myself of every single day. There will always be people who doubt you or tell you something isn’t possible, but if you believe in what you’re creating and keep showing up, amazing things can happen.
What’s next? With this EP dropping July 31st, are there any live shows, tours, or new music plans on the horizon that fans should know about?
Yes! I’m really excited to be hitting the road for an exciting run of summer and fall shows.
I’ll also be heading to Saskatchewan for CCMA Week, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s always such an incredible opportunity to connect with other artists, celebrate Canadian country music, and catch up with friends from across the country.
I’m also already working on new music and plan to release another single this fall, so there won’t be a long wait before the next chapter. It feels like there’s a lot of momentum right now, and I’m excited to keep building on it.
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
