Dive into the million mile-per-hour mind of Caity Baser as she discusses her irreplaceable fans, why the ‘Still Learning’ Tour is sure to be her best yet, and how she’s still just figuring it all out.
“I’ve always dreamed to be in the charts,” Caity Baser tells Karma! Magazine after confessing she needed to release some energy in the gym on the morning of her first UK tour date in Leeds. “Last year I was in the charts with ‘Pretty Boys,’ and I was number 16 I think, so to have a whole body of work that is number seven, up against the big dogs is wild. But it was fucking incredible to find that out, I literally screamed and ran around the house.”
A position in the UK’s top ten album charts may have always been on her mind, but it’s a far cry from where the Southampton-born singer’s pop career began back in 2020. Unlike so many other musicians whose careers came to an agonising standstill during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Caity’s journey was just getting started thanks to an improvised song she posted on Gen-Z’s pandemic social saviour, TikTok.
Filled to the brim with catchy melodies and a fair whack of her cheeky personality, her songs quickly and comfortably translated beyond the clock app, beginning a whirlwind journey of success that would soon see thousands of ‘Slaysers’ scream her lyrics back to her at every live show.
Yet, completely conscious of the industry she’s in, Caity remains keenly aware that social media is a highly unsteady platform to depend a career upon: “I wouldn’t rely your whole career on a platform because it’s so temporary. It’s a great way to reach as many people as possible and get yourself out there but when a song doesn’t go viral or it doesn’t reach as many people as you thought it would, it sort of makes you disheartened. So, it’s great – obviously that’s how I got discovered, I love TikTok for that – but now it’s more about the physicality of it all, meeting people, singing live.”
Playing shows and meeting fans at signings up and down the country over the last week, the 21-year-old has dedicated the dawn of her Still Learning era to her day dot fans, who’ve already proven themselves to be equally as devoted in return.
“One of the girls bought me this thing that I mentioned on a podcast like a year ago,” Caity chuckles, recalling meeting fans at one of her March in-store signings. “It’s like this shark head you put on a tap (sorry it’s very niche) and the water comes out its mouth. She was like I saw you mention it like a year ago and I was like fucking hell girl.”
Caity’s love for her fans is as clear as her unfiltered personality. She takes the time to speak to everyone who comes to see her – outside her shows, during her shows and even at the local shops. Fans can expect to see their stories shared to her main page and to see online messages from the singer that are profoundly personal and deeply honest. Caity’s fans clearly mean the world to her, and she wants the world to know it.
“Oh my God, of course. They’re the people who got me where I am today. They’re the most important part of my career. I love them so much,” Caity says.
“I feel like because the way the world is now; everything is so electronic, and I never really know what’s real anymore. So when I go in and do these signings or I go and do a show and I see all these people who have taken time out of their day to queue for an hour to fucking see me, it just blows my mind. I love meeting people, I’m a social butterfly if you will, so it’s really nice to meet people and hear their stories, talk about the songs, talk about tour.
“I just can’t believe the turnout. I’m like ‘what we all doing here?’ And they’re like ‘for you Caity.’ Like what?”
Only 12 months ago Caity played her first show to 150 people and now the rising popstar’s playing her biggest tour to date: the ‘Still Learning’ tour, where she will perform eleven shows across the UK including a show at London’s historic Hammersmith Apollo and a special homecoming show in Southampton.
“I’m feeling amazing. I’m feeling very ready. I’ve been training my voice; I’ve been training my body. I’m just so excited as well because last year I performed the same songs all year, and that was great, I had a great time, but this time I’m excited to come in with new songs that are more sing-y because I love to sing. And I feel like a lot of people don’t think that I can actually sing but I promise you I can sing. So, I can’t wait to just show off if you will.
“It’s just gonna be an outlet for me and for everyone that comes. Whatever anybody’s going through, you have an hour and twenty minutes where you can just fucking forget about everything. Have a dance, have a cry, have a scream, make some friends, have a beer. It’s gonna be great, I can’t wait.”
It’s this intense relatability that’s at the core of Caity’s vibrant, larger than life sound. Not only is her music punchy and witty, but its also a squeaky-clean reflection of the person behind it. Caity Baser’s not one to water herself down or change herself for anyone. She’s unapologetically herself and lets the world see all of her for what she is– no matter what that means – and it’s in this commitment to herself and her convictions that Caity is able to resonate so deeply with Gen-Z (and those that feel like they might as well be Gen-Z).
“Since announcing the mixtape, I’ve had people of all ages messaging me like you never stop learning, you always are taking experiences on board, so I think it’s just a very important message to be like it’s okay, slow the fuck down.
“I was really going through it last year, not gonna lie, so it’s [the ‘Still Learning’ mixtape] sort of about that and just letting people know that it’s okay if you fuck up, upset people. If people upset you. Like it’s all part of life and it’s something that I really struggled with last year. It’s just about being young, dumb and stupid and trying to figure it all out.”
Caity may not have figured it all out yet, but she’s definitely putting the pieces together, because it’s only March and it’s already been some year for the people’s pop princess. Having been nominated for both the BRITs Rising Star and BBC Radio 1 Sound of 2024 awards, as well as been named as one of Rolling Stones’ future of music artists, what else could 2024 possibly have in store for Caity Baser?
“I’m doing lots of exciting things actually. I’m doing a very cool festival that I’m not allowed to say but it’s fucking incredible, and I’m doing something else that I’m not allowed to say. Not a very helpful answer but get fucking excited, honestly.”
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