Artist Spotlight | Katie Belle
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT | Katie Belle | “People Pleaser”
Katie Belle makes it clear from the first verse of People Pleaser that she has nothing to hide. She lays bare her nineteen year old self who just wanted to be loved and accepted and then proclaims that she is going to be different, she’s done trying to be who she feels like everyone wants her to be. Over a funky pop electronic backdrop, People Pleaser bids a bold farewell to “the perfect daughter” and the “girl you thought I was inside of your head”. The second track, Bad Dreams, has a familiar musical feel, but is once again lyrically interesting in its own right. It speaks of the desire to escape inner turmoil and anxious overthinking by flooding one’s senses in other ways; drinking, partying, and the comfort of another’s arms. Avoidant Attachment laments finding oneself involved with someone they don’t truly want to be with. The words reflect the conflicting emotions of wanting true connection and just not wanting to be alone. Cigarettes, on the other hand, tells of the sometimes addictive qualities that a relationship can have, in this case compared to the need a smoker has for a cigarette.
Katie’s whimsical and breathy tone is vulnerable and compelling, the perfect compliment to the words she sings. She is a versatile artist indeed, and not just as a musician. In addition to being a pop artist and lead female vocalist for Color the Night Band, Katie is also a model, actor, and voting member of The Recording Academy. She has recently been alternating between recording in LA and her hometown of Atlanta. The release of her EP People Pleaser in November of 2025 is just the beginning, as Katie is working on a new batch of upcoming songs.
I found People Pleaser to be very catchy, which surprised me a bit considering the emotional self-discovery that is happening in the lyrics. I’m impressed by the success of her contrasting music and lyricism. It doesn’t oversimplify Katie’s experiences or her journey, but it also doesn’t wallow in her challenges. I look forward to hearing her continue to tell her story.