Toronto singer-songwriter Katie Mal has just released her new single, “Homesick”. The follow up to her recent debut, “Nostalgic Girls,” the new track is a heartfelt song that captures the bittersweet feeling of being far from home while reflecting on personal growth. We caught up with Katie to chat about the new music, her songwriting process, and her deserted island album picks.

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Homesick”.

Katie Mal: “Homesick” is about that feeling you get when you’re far from home and realize how much of yourself you left behind. I wrote it while I was living abroad, missing the energy of Toronto and the things I thought I’d outgrown but couldn’t let go of. It’s for anyone who thought they were ready to leave their hometown, only to realize those familiar places and faces stay with you no matter where you go.                                                               

“Homesick” started with that guitar riff you hear right at the beginning. I loved it so much that I wanted to keep it going throughout the whole track. From there, I added lyrics and a melody, and the song kind of wrote itself. It came together on a day when I was really feeling the pull of home. I sent it over to the producer I was working with, and he helped me build out the guitar, bass, and other elements. I recorded the vocals when I was back in Toronto, and that’s when it all really came together.  

From The Strait: Every artist has their own way of creating songs- what is your songwriting process like?

Katie Mal: I always start out by messing around with my guitar or on the piano. When I write, I start with creating the song melody first, usually a verse. Then depending on what vibe the sound is I will put lyrics to it using journals I have that are full of ideas and song lyrics. So I would say its almost always music first, then lyrics for me. But also every song process is different! Some take me 1 day to write, others have taken me months to finish.  

From The Strait: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how do they differ from your current ones?

Katie Mal: I listened to a lot of pop growing up—big pop stars like Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne, which I know a lot of women my age can relate to. However, my parents, especially my dad, would always play rock music around the house and in the car, and from a young age, I started to love ’70s rock bands, particularly Fleetwood Mac. As I got older, I became more into indie and alternative rock, which really shaped my music taste and the genres I listen to today. I now draw inspiration from surf-rock bands like Spacey Jane and Skeggs, ’70s rock like Dire Straits, ’90s grunge like Hole, and more modern rock and indie rock bands like Snail Mail, Blondshell, and The Strokes. I’m really not picky when it comes to music—if I find it catchy and like the sound, I’ll listen!                  

From The Strait: What first made you want to become a musician?

Katie Mal: I’ve always composed music, starting with the piano when I was younger. It wasn’t until I learned guitar in my mid-teens that I really started to enjoy playing music and writing my own lyrics. I went to an arts high school in Toronto called Etobicoke School of the Arts, where I majored in music theatre, which introduced me more to the performance side of things. I guess you could say I’ve always loved music, but it was really last year when I decided to fully dedicate myself to putting out my own music—I just realized it was kind of now or never!

From The Strait: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 4 albums would you want with you?

Katie Mal:
1. The New Abnormal – The Strokes
2. Let Go – Avril Lavigne
3. Zuma – Neil Young, Crazy Horse
4. Rumours – Fleetwood Mac

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Check out “Homesick,” the new single from Katie Mal!

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