[3][4][5] She is classically trained and began performing in the Canadian Children's Opera Chorus at age 10.

In 2011, she co-wrote and sang on the Death in Vegas songs "Come Ride With Me", "Your Loft My Acid" and "Witchdance" from the album Trans-Love Energies.

[8] In 2016 Stelmanis delved deeper into writing lyrics and wrote her band Austra's album Future Politics primarily alone.

[9] Katie Stelmanis told Interview Magazine that she "was obsessed with classical music" while growing up.

She cites artists such as Kate Bush, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack as influences.