Los Angeles-based artist Katie Stump, known as BLÜ EYES, has released a new single titled “Friends With Benefits,” which is the third single from her upcoming EP. This follows the release of “Who I am Without You” and “How Dare You.”
BLÜ EYES aims to capture the sweetness of human experiences through a musical alias that reflects sensitivity to light. Her latest EP, The Last Songs I’ll Write About You, set for release on VERSION III on May 5, blends her signature bedroom pop production with themes of abandonment, grief, and identity.
Katie shares the inspiration behind “Friends With Benefits,” explaining that it’s about feeling used in a friendship. She describes a best friend who she believed genuinely cared about her, only to discover later that their friendship was just a currency to buy her time, resources, and energy for ulterior motives.
She admits focusing too much on helping her friend achieve their dreams without considering her own desires. Nevertheless, Katie hopes her EP won’t solely focus on this friend but also encompass others’ experiences of losing their identity. It’s within these personal experiences, her self-produced sound, and her narrative that the songs truly shine.
Raised in a musical household, Stump looked up to her parents for musical inspiration, singing at family meals or putting on performances for every holiday. She pursued pop performance at the University of Southern California and played in bands until her early twenties.
Katie then began honing her producing skills in addition to performing on stage. She connected with other women in her graduating class over their shared passion and began working on solo music under the name BLÜ EYES. She released her debut EP healing hurts in 2021.
We eagerly await her upcoming EP. In the meantime, listen to her latest single below:
#Peace.Love.BLÜEYES
