Kate Boy

Kate Boy

Kate Boy is a Stockholm-based electronic and synth-pop group active since 2011. The project includes Kate Akhurst, Oskar Engström, Hampus Nordgren Hemlin and Markus Dextegen. It begins as a collaboration between Australian singer-songwriter Kate Akhurst and the Swedish writing and production team known as Rocket Boy, and the name Kate Boy functions as a fictional fifth member to reflect their shared approach to writing.

Formation and line-up

The group forms in Stockholm, Sweden, after Akhurst arrives in the city in October 2011. She meets Hemlin, Engström and Dextegen at the suggestion of someone from another recording session, and they go into the studio that same night. They write “Northern Lights” then, and the project develops from that first session. Akhurst has previously worked as a songwriter in Australia, where she gets her first publishing deal at 16, before moving to Los Angeles at 21 and spending five years there before coming to Stockholm.

Music and releases

Kate Boy is known for songs including “Northern Lights”, “In Your Eyes” and “The Way We Are”. Its debut EP, Northern Lights, is released in January 2013. The group’s sound is identified with electronic and synth-pop music.