Glitter-slick, hyperpop-spun, chaos-kissed princess – St. Louis-born singer-songwriter Slayyyter (real name Catherine Grace Garner) is like an energy drink in human form. In the world of glossy pop maximalism, where DIY attitude meets club-kid futurism, Slayyyter (whose name is a pseudonym for her favourite Dazed and Confused character) continues to operate like she’s rewriting the rulebook in real time. First making her mark on the music world with her self-titled debut mixtape racking up more than 100 million streams worldwide, she went on to sell out her first headline tour and has since released two full-length albums, Troubled Paradise in 2021 and Starfucker in 2023.

Her latest singles, Crank and Cannibalism!, arrive as a double dose of everything she does best: unapologetic confidence, industrial-leaning beats and the kind of Y2K-coded glamour that refuses to apologise for being loud, hot and just the right amount of unhinged. With new music signalling a heavier, more chaotic era and a Homobloc appearance set to ignite the cold season, Slayyyter isn’t just entering a new chapter – she’s kicking the door down in platform boots. Here, we chat to the American musician about being the “worst girl ever”, her favourite thing about performing live and her biggest irrational fear.

Who is Slayyyter?

Worst girl ever.

Describe your sound in three words.

Big Bad Electropunk.

Your latest singles, Crank and Cannibalism!, have such an intoxicating energy to them. Can you tell us a bit about what inspired these?

All were inspired by different sounds and situations in my life, but overall I really wanted to tap into “i-Pod era” music and nostalgia for this album. Things I grew up listening to in high school had a lot of impact on me and the way I write. I wanted to blend a bit of each influence into a new sound. It’s a bit punk, it’s a bit rap, it’s a bit electroclash. The softest saddest song on my record still feels in line with the nastiest and grittiest one.

What can we expect from your Homobloc set?

Good old fashioned fun.

What’s your favourite thing about performing live?

The new life and new energy it gives to my songs. I can make something in the studio and think it goes hard, but until you feel a crowd reaction you don’t really know the full potency of something. I performed “Crank” for the first time at a college show recently and everyone screaming and chanting the words in unison was electric. It makes me fall in love with the songs all over again.

What’s your biggest irrational fear?

Oysters. It’s not that irrational though, one almost killed me in Italy last year. Extremely crazy story I’ve been saving to tell someday.

How would you describe your personal style, fashion-wise?

Part romantic and feminine, part boyish and streetwear obsessed, and part vintage loving St. Louis townie princess.

What has been one of your biggest career highlights to date?

Self directing the Cannibalism! video. I love directing. I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into that visual, from making the costumes and props to casting and the concept.

What’s on your rider?

Pack of Budweiser in glass bottles, makeup wipes, ginger shots, tea with honey and lemons.

Top three favourite upcoming artists right now?

Remy Bond, I’m obsessed with Orlando and her new project. I love her entire cinematic universe. Portraits of Tracy, The Party is definitely going to be on my Spotify top songs of the year. And Rose Gray, I think the I Don’t Speak French video and song are so unbelievably incredible. The Godard style mime love story is too good. It dropped the day I went to Paris and I was listening to it walking down the streets.

Photography by Alexa Zeliger.

@slayyyter