It's always special when one artist meets another while working on a project and decides to expand their professional relationship when the project is complete. That's exactly what happened when Kate Voegele and Michael Grubbs met on the set of the hit show One Tree Hill and found kindred spirits in each other.
A few years later, the pair are now making waves as Your Future Ghost. Her new single, “Pritty,” is a party anthem with a message: celebrate yourself (especially the weird and eccentric parts), even if others don't see how amazing you are. Here, Kate talks about the band's creative and artistic evolution, previews their upcoming album, and shares her hopes of making it over this side of the pond in the near future.
For anyone who hasn't figured them out yet, who exactly is your future ghost in a few words or a sentence?
Kate: Your Future Ghost is the new synth-pop/rock musical project from singer, songwriter, musician and actress Kate Voegele, and the multifaceted composer, producer, songwriter and actor Michael Grubbs. We met on set, both played our music on the CW's “One Tree Hill,” and were friends for years before collaborating creatively. Once we started writing together, we realized very quickly that they were more than just two friends who collaborated well together writing songs, and Your Future Ghost was born.
What sets YFG apart from many other current bands and artists?
Kate: I think YFG is unique sonically because we're much less concerned with whether or not something fits into a neat box of a particular genre and we're completely focused on making music that sounds great. I also think the band has a really unique perspective because of the separate careers Mike and I had before starting this band; We both bring very different creative points of view that combine to create something that sounds fun, fresh and authentic in a way that is impossible to manufacture.
You met while working on One Tree Hill (one of my favorite shows, by the way!), but did you ever imagine that, all these years later, you would still be working together and that your personal and professional interests would grow and develop? how has he done it?
Kate: When I met Mike, he had already been playing my music and performing on the show for two seasons, and I was immediately very excited to have another musician like me on the show. I always felt like a bit of a unicorn because I was a musician first and an actress second, and everyone else he worked with was the opposite or didn't play music at all. Mike and I became fast friends and I immediately had a great creative respect for him as a writer and artist. I don't think I ever imagined starting a band with anyone at that time because he was so focused on my solo career. However, now that we have this project together, it makes sense why it works. There's a really cool magical element to being good friends with someone and collaborating well artistically, because one isn't always the same as the other! We were very lucky in that sense.
What do you want those who listen to your latest single, “Pritty,” to learn? Is there a particular idea you want to convey with the track?
Kate: The song is about being a little unhinged but also irresistible. It's about how far we will go for the people in our lives who are a mess, but we love them anyway. This is someone who is self-aware enough to know it's too much, but also has no regrets because he's a damn wonder to be around. It's about knowing that the weirdest thing about you is probably the coolest thing about you and not being afraid to celebrate it, even if it makes some people angry or uncomfortable.
How would you say the song explores and demonstrates who you are and what you stand for as a duo but also as individuals and artists?
Kate: As a band, it's essential for us to encourage people to be themselves. Mike and I have lived our versions of being the 'weird kid' and not fitting into other people's ideas of who we should be in the world, so the song represents that for us as a group. As a woman in music, I can't count the number of times some guy has tried to tell me who I can and can't be and how to be a musician the “right” way. This song, to me, is a celebration of finding the courage to say screw it and follow my instincts, even if it makes people angry or goes against the rules they think exist. Realizing that I know who I am better than anyone else was powerful for me and something I hope people take away from this song.
Kate, for you in particular, the edginess of the song is considerably different from the songs and music you are perhaps best known for. Was that an intentional choice or something that developed as the song and your association with Michael developed?
Kate: I think it was an organic development when this band formed and my voice within that band started to emerge. This nervousness is something that fans have definitely heard bits of in some of my solo stuff. Still, this project has given me space to fully and unapologetically explore those aspects of who I am as a person and artist. There are a lot of things I feel like I can say in a YFG song that I would have been afraid to say in a Kate Voegele song because I was a teenager when I signed my first record deal as Kate Voegele. A lot of people wanted me to be the perfect model at the time, which meant staying within certain lines. The funny thing is that I think showing every side of yourself as an artist is actually what ends up inspiring people, so this project is a way to bring my audience to these bolder sides of who I am and that they have been there all the time.
The song is taken from their upcoming album. Without giving too much away, what can you tell me about it?
Kate: We like to say that this album is dirty, jump-in-bed-and-sing-along indie rock. More than anything, it's incredibly fun. We both put a lot of ourselves into these songs and wanted to make something that didn't ask permission to be fun, loud and a little wild at times; It just is.
Do you have a favorite song? If so, what is it and why?
Kate: I can't choose. a favorite because every song on this album was ruthlessly chosen from over 30 songs we've written for the project. There's one that's not out yet, that we wrote out of the blue after taking a taco break, that I'm really excited to share with fans. It's the most fun I've ever had writing and recording a song, and the lyrics perfectly capture that feeling of knowing you're amazing and inviting everyone who tries to bring you down to fuck off.
With a 2024 tour series underway, will you be hitting the road soon? Where would you like to play more?
Kate: We're excited to play these songs live and are focused on working out what they'll look like. We're excited to play some of our favorite US cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Austin, but personally, I think this band was created for a cool rock club in London. Paris is like a second home to me too, so I can't wait to take YFG to the other side of the ocean, hopefully soon.
Finally, with Your Future Ghost making waves, where do you see the future of the band going? Are there any plans to combine your music and acting careers so you can juggle both, or is music the only focus right now?
Kate: This band has come into its own identity in the most organic way throughout the making of this album, so I definitely see us getting back in the studio tomorrow to start writing the next one. I am more focused on music at this point in my career as it has always been my first job and my first love. I wouldn't rule out performing again, but I'm never happier than working on the melody for my next favorite song in the studio. I can't wait to see where YFG takes us and I feel like we're just getting started with what we have to say.
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