In conversation with FAULT Magazine, Karin Ann reflects on growth, creative control, and the importance of staying true to herself, even when that means resisting definition altogether.

FAULT Magazine: “All My Money” was rooted in transience. You’ve mentioned in previous interviews that you never mention settling. Do you ever feel like you belong everywhere or nowhere at all?

Karin Ann: I think the “settling” thing was taken a little bit out of context, because I meant it in terms of relationships and in terms of life,settling for less than your goals and standards, not necessarily a place. I’m actually kind of the opposite when it comes to location. I really like having a routine. I like being in one place and being able to make plans that aren’t just, “I don’t know what I’m going to do in a week,” you know?

I don’t really know if that answers the question, but I don’t think I can answer it any other way. In general, I think you find where you belong based on the people you surround yourself with, not necessarily the geographical location.

FAULT Magazine: With new music on the horizon, does this current chapter feel like a continuation of who you’ve been, or the beginning of something different?

Karin Ann: I think it feels like a homecoming to me, in a way. I’m exploring a lot of parts of myself that I’ve been ashamed of in the past and that I’ve tried to suppress.

A lot of the time, travelling to big cities or seeing people online can make you feel like you’re less than if you come from a small place or a village. Even in school, I went to school in a city but lived in a village, and a lot of the time there were negative connotations associated with that. The same goes for parts of my heritage and identity,I’ve struggled with those things in the past.

So, in many ways, it feels like showing people who I was when I was a kid, before I let others get in my head about a lot of things. I’m also exploring the genres I’ve always loved and grown up with. I grew up listening to a lot of different music, so it’s not like I was tied to one specific genre, but I don’t think it was something I felt comfortable fully leaning into until now.

I also feel a lot more confident in my lyricism and in my ability to shape the music. I don’t want to say direct people necessarily, but on a lot of the new music I’m working on, I’m a co-producer, which is new for me. Even on “I Was Never Yours” and “All My Money”, those were the first tracks where I had co-producing credits. Before, I always had some input, but not to this extent.

Now I feel like I’m really being listened to and respected, and I’m just exploring parts of myself that I haven’t shown people before. I’m really excited for what’s coming next.

FAULT Magazine: Looking ahead to your upcoming releases, what emotion do you want your listeners to walk away with?

Karin Ann: I don’t like telling people what to feel. Even when I listen to music, I don’t want people to tell me what I feel. I want to take it in a way that resonates with me, and I want my music to do that for others as well.

It feels a bit silly to say, “I want you to feel this” or “take away this lesson.” I’m just happy if people can find a piece of themselves in my work, because that’s what connects us. That’s as much as I can hope for as an artist,that it resonates and helps people understand their lives or feelings in some way.

Someone might hear a song I wrote about a breakup and interpret it as grief, or something completely different. I really like that openness. I don’t want to tell people how to connect with it,I just want them to.

FAULT Magazine: When you have such a unique sound and presence, does it ever feel daunting to experiment and evolve away from what listeners have grown to expect from you?

Karin Ann: I firmly believe that we live life for ourselves, and we shouldn’t let other people dictate our decisions. I approach my work in the same way,I do it for myself first, and then I let it find who it’s meant to find.

In the past, I think I was more prone to trying to figure out what people wanted from me and following that. But it never really works if you’re not being authentic to yourself.

Now, I focus on doing what feels right to me. If people like it, that’s great. And I think a lot of the people who have followed me for a while understand that I like trying new things and evolving.

It’s also just about growth. You change, you experience new things, and that shapes your work. I don’t like feeling restricted or boxed in,I like having that freedom to explore.

FAULT Magazine: How would you say your current mind space is reflected most in your upcoming music?

Karin Ann: I always write about my experiences and what I’m going through, so that’s always reflected in my work.

I think now I’m a bit more careful about what I share,not in terms of subject matter, because I still write very personal things,but more in how much of my life I put out there. I feel like I need a bit more balance between my work and my personal life.

I also feel more comfortable not explaining everything. I used to think I had to explain my lyrics, but I never liked doing that. Now I’m okay with letting the music speak for itself.

FAULT Magazine: Your music often explores identity, mental health, and belonging. How do you stay open and honest with listeners without compromising your own sense of peace?

Karin Ann: I write everything I want to say in my lyrics, and after that, I just let it go. I don’t really feel the need to explain it further.

When I’m writing, I don’t think about how many people will hear it. I’m just focused on expressing myself honestly. But once it’s out, it belongs to the listener.

I think people sometimes expect too much access to someone’s personal life, and that can be a bit strange. There’s a line, and I think it’s important to keep some distance.

FAULT Magazine: What’s a topic you haven’t explored before but would like to explore more in your music?

Karin Ann: I don’t really plan it. I usually start with a sound or a feeling, and the topic comes naturally.

For example, with “I Was Never Yours”, I had a specific sound in mind first, and the lyrics followed. That’s generally how I approach music,I experiment with sounds, and the themes come organically.

FAULT Magazine: How have your acting roles impacted how you approach songwriting?

Karin Ann: They go very hand-in-hand. Both require you to be very in touch with your emotions and honest with yourself.

To write or act, you need to understand what you’re feeling and why. You need to be vulnerable and willing to explore that. I think that’s why a lot of musicians act and vice versa,it’s all connected.

FAULT Magazine: Has the freedom of your creative journey ever come with its own kind of pressure?

Karin Ann: I just don’t see the point in doing something that makes you miserable. Life is unpredictable, and I’d rather live in a way where I don’t have regrets.

If something stops making me happy, I’ll move on and do something else. I don’t believe in trapping yourself in a life that doesn’t feel right.

FAULT Magazine: What is your FAULT?

Karin Ann: I think I’m quite stubborn, which can be both a good and bad thing. It helps me stand my ground, but sometimes I probably need to ease up a bit.

I can also be a bit rude when I’m hungry, I don’t mean to be, but it happens. I think everyone has their faults, though.