It's 5pm as Kaeto steps into the cold, sparsely furnished room that serves as the press area in Sheffield's Octagon Centre.
Immediately warm and engaging, she’s a welcome contrast to the cold and rain outside. Though London-based now, Kaeto is no stranger to the North, and she tells me about her somewhat nomadic upbringing.
"I moved around a lot as a kid. I lived in Yorkshire for six years, moved to London at 15, and stayed there ever since, though I did spend a year in Barcelona and another in Glasgow. Yeah, just hopped around!"
This movement has influenced both Kaeto’s life and her art. She enjoys experimenting and isn’t afraid to embrace change.
"I think it probably influences my restless nature," she says. "I tend to pick things up and drop them, try new hats. And I really just like making things. Moving schools so often, I’d sometimes change my name on a whim. If someone asked, ‘Does anyone call you Katie?’ I’d be like, ‘Sure, why not?’"
This openness to change is reflected in all of Kaeto’s creative work. "It feels natural," she continues. From songwriting to visualising her songs and even designing the screen-printed vintage t-shirts at the merch stand, Kaeto’s creativity is relentless. She’s always working on something new.
But don’t mistake that eclectic process for shallowness. There’s depth in her work, particularly in Distance, a track from her newly released mixtape Intro. The song has a darker tone, shaped by a difficult period in Kaeto's personal life.
"I was in America at the time, going through a tumultuous personal period, with breakups and trying to date new people," she says. "You get thrust back into situations where you feel awful about yourself, having bad experience after bad experience and being mistreated. That’s what was going on at the time, and that’s reflected in the music."
That honesty and vulnerability runs through the entire record, and it’s that authenticity that Kaeto values most, especially after struggling to find her own voice amid external pressures.
"You get rejected, and you start thinking, ‘Okay, this isn’t the shape they want. What shape do you need?’ It’s easy to forget that it’s not really about you at all," she says.
Now, however, Kaeto has gained confidence, setting aside others' expectations and creating on her own terms. "There’s a necessary detachment from needing people to like it or want it —or to like or want me!" she explains. "That freedom allows me follow my nose and make what I’d want to listen to."
The result is Intro, a mixtape that serves as an introduction to Kaeto’s artistry. There’s a thread connecting the songs, though the project reflects different stages in its creation.
The visual aspect is equally important. "A lot of times, it’s a pairing exercise," Kaeto explains. "I’ll have an idea for a visual, and then think it will fit nicely with a song. Sometimes, I imagine videos to other people’s music—that’s something I’ve done since I was a kid, dreaming up my own music videos. A lot of the time, I get ideas while writing and make notes right away. Like the concept for UR Mine—I came up with it the day I wrote the song."
Carry You also embodies a cinematic feel, like the ending montage of a Netflix series. The video, shot in Iceland in one take, captures the epicness of the rising soundscape.
As we discuss her tour and the opportunity to support The Last Dinner Party, Kaeto reflects on how much she’s learned from watching both them and Lucia and The Best Boys.
"They’re all exceptional musicians and performers, and I’ve learned so much. It’s incredibly empowering and inspiring. There are so many women involved, and it’s such a supportive environment. It’s definitely how music should be done."
So, what’s next? Now that Kaeto has found her sound through the highs and lows of Intro, she’s eager to work on a cohesive project that reflects where she is now.
"I’ll probably have a massive admin day when I get home—deal with some Vinted parcels," she jokes. But musically, her focus is already on the future. "I’m beggin to make a first album. I feel like it needs to be made from scratch, something that has a conceptual through-line."
And that’s something to look forward to. As an artist who’s found her voice and confidence, there’s no doubt Kaeto will continue to deliver powerful stories—both to hear and to see.

Back to Top