Pop-country rising star Kat Velasco has never been one to shy away from honesty, and with her new single Breaking My Own Heart, she takes that candor to a whole new level. Released on August 14, 2025, the song is a hauntingly relatable anthem about self-sabotage, the weight of past baggage, and the quiet dread of waiting for happiness to slip away.
Co-written with Claire Douglas, Hannah Ellis, and Jason Massey, the track pairs melancholic guitars with Velasco’s emotive vocals, steadily building into a reflective piece that resonates with anyone who’s ever doubted joy when it arrives. Kat’s performance carries both fragility and strength, making Breaking My Own Heart not just a song but an emotional mirror for her listeners.
We sat down with Kat Velasco to talk about the inspiration behind her latest single, her journey from musical theater in South Carolina to Nashville’s country-pop scene, and what’s next as she prepares for her upcoming EP.
Interview with Kat Velasco
Kat: I feel like this is more my personality. I get really deep, usually, and you will see a lot more of that, especially in my upcoming EP. Even though I didn’t write this song, it’s one of those songs I really wish I did because I relate to it so much. I am at a point right now where I am writing the kind of music that is what I actually feel, instead of what people want to hear. “Breaking My Own Heart” is about being our own worst enemy, our biggest obstacle. The lyrics hooked me immediately because I am not one to sugarcoat things. I want to connect with people at the end of the day, showing the unfiltered and vulnerable sides of myself through music.
Kat: How much time do you have? But really, yes. This song is real life for me, the number of times I have to catch myself in self-doubt, not allowing myself to be excited about things because I expect the worst outcome. I’ve always struggled with anxiety, so this song is like putting a mirror to my face.
Kat: Musical theater gave me a great foundation; the storytelling aspect is so amazing. Performances embody so much emotion. I really could not have asked for a better way to prepare me to be a singer-songwriter than to grow up involved in musical theater. I am really big about wanting to feel the meaning behind a song. Music is emotional, and it’s important when making music to really put it all out there.
Kat: Wow, that seems like so long ago now. “Leave Me Wild” is still one of my favorite songs I have ever written. Those moments are always surreal, but truthfully, every single moment is what has led me to this point, those milestones and the confidence that comes with it, “I could really do this forever,” it’s a feeling like no other.
Kat: Huge affirmations, I am so grateful for every little part of recognition or anytime I get to play. I’ve spent a lot of time wondering if anyone’s even noticing the amount I’m putting into my music or “the grind” of this industry when you’re just starting out. The moments when I was recognized by CMA and Wide Open Country were genuinely crazy to me. Meeting artists and musicians that I’ve admired for so long and getting to share a stage with them is just beyond my wildest dreams. I am really thankful because it does give me a ton of confidence to feel a part of the conversation and fuels me up for the next level.
Kat: This one definitely leans into the more vulnerable side, and that’s the empowerment right there. I am gearing up to put out a body of work in my upcoming EP that is full of vulnerability. I have been wanting to write and get out for a long time, so I really hope listeners feel less alone when they listen to my music. Admitting our struggles can be scary, but it’s how we connect, and most importantly, it’s how we get through it.
Kat: Nashville has really pushed the bar; it’s major. I am surrounded by the best writers and performers in the world here; that energy and thrive are contagious. Everyone in Nashville is creating, and I feel really special to call it home now. I feel like I have grown so much being here, my writing has become something I couldn’t have imagined, and beyond that, the community has given me opportunities I never could’ve had anywhere else.
Kat: I am going to keep leaning into myself, my real self. Resilience, what it looks like to pick yourself up, even if it’s messy. You guys can look forward to some songs about my past, inner child therapy there. Struggles that I’ve overcome. A lot about how I feel people view me vs who I really am. Some songs about going out, having fun, I am in my twenties, so that’s a reality I am living. I just want to show up as me, and at the end of the day, that’s where I’ll reach my people. I hope you guys love it as much as I do.
Kat: New fans discovering me, go listen to my song “Let it Ride.” I wrote about being anxious about the future, like a lullaby to myself when I am feeling lost, it’s one that will definitely give some more insight to my mind. “Leave Me Wild” gives a lot of my heart. I talk about my family, my personality, and why I am the way I am. If you love “Breaking My Own Heart,” you’ll love those as well.
Closing Thoughts
With Breaking My Own Heart, Kat Velasco takes a brave step into vulnerability, proving that honesty can be just as powerful as empowerment. Her ability to blend raw emotion with catchy, heartfelt pop-country melodies cements her as an artist to watch. As she prepares her upcoming EP, fans can expect even deeper storytelling and more moments of unfiltered truth.
Follow Kat Velasco on Instagram for the latest updates, new music, and upcoming performances—you won’t want to miss what’s next.
