Interview: Kat Von D Talks Music, Magic, & New Album "My Side of the Mountain"

It's not every day an icon drops an album. Kat Von D has always been a force to be reckoned with, whether in the tattoo or beauty world. And now, she's about to embark on a UK/EU tour in support of her sophomore album, My Side of the Mountain.

The album takes her artistry to a whole new level and serves as a heartfelt ode to the misfits, romantics, and anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider. Inspired by the 1959 novel of the same name, the album digs deep into themes of resilience and personal growth.

"There's a comfort in dreaming of escapism, sure. But this album isn't about that. It's about confronting the shit we don't want to face, accepting the things we can't control, and fighting for the things that matter," Von D wrote on Instagram.

With the previously released single “Truth in Reverse" to the electrifying Spanish ballad "Por Ti," it's clear Kat is entering her music icon era. While her debut album, Love Made Me Do It, was a sweet taste, My Side Of The Mountain serves the whole pie. Be sure to catch Kat Von D on tour this June, featuring Prayers and other special guests. 4/June - Madrid, Spain - Mon

5/June - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra

7/June - Pinarella di Cervia, Italy - Rock Planet

8/June - Milan, Italy - Santeria Toscana 31

9/June - Munich, Germany - Technikum

11/June - Budapest, Hungary - A38 Ship

12/June - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola

13/June - Hradec Králové, Czech Republic - Rock For People Festival

15/June - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp

16/June - Paris, France - Alhambra

17/June - London, UK - Scala

19/June - Southampton, UK - Engine Rooms

20/June - Manchester, UK - Academy 2

23/June - Utrecht, Netherlands - TivoliVredenburg

25/June - Hamburg, Germany - Gruenspan

27/June - Oslo, Norway - Tons of Rock

28/June - Gothenburg, Sweden - Liseberg Tivoli-Lila Scen

Tickets are available here. Read on for our exclusive interview with Kat Von D.

A warm welcome to BUZZMUSIC, Kat! It's no secret that you're a tattoo connoisseur and beauty mogul. Now that you're releasing your sophomore album, we have to ask. What keeps your creative juices flowing?

There’s never a shortage of things to be inspired by, whether good or bad.  I tend to typically write about struggles — and sadly, there’s never a shortage of those, too! 

You mentioned that the novel My Side of the Mountain deeply impacted you as a child. What inspired you to name the new record after it? Why did it seem like an appropriate choice?

That novel is about a boy who runs away from home to live in harmony with nature in the middle of the woods.  We recently made a huge move, leaving Los Angeles for rural Indiana. Carving out a little corner of “my side of the mountain” is not just a physical act. The album is about finding your own home in a lonely world.  

What would you say is the biggest difference between your debut album, Love Made Me Do It, and your new project, My Side Of The Mountain—whether in your sound, style, or lyrical themes?

Well, I teamed up with a new set of songwriters that really helped push me both lyrically and vocally as well.   I still love and will always appreciate my first album, but this new album is a little harder hitting, making it so enjoyable to sing as well as perform live. 

You’ve always been open about your personal journey, and My Side of the Mountain feels like a raw journey through inner struggles. Is there a particular track on the album that felt especially cathartic to create?

“Set Myself On Fire” probably hits home the most for me for many personal reasons.  

Your song “Por Ti” from My Side of the Mountain is a truly stunning Spanish ballad. Are you a fan of Latin music? What inspired you to create such an immersive love song in a different language?

My Latin heritage plays a big part of my creativity and always has.  I actually prefer singing in Spanish over English. My voice changes in a certain way that I can hear in my head. I’m actually looking forward to writing more songs in the near future.