With more than 20 million streams and a devoted fanbase affectionately known as the “Kittens,” indie-pop duo Golden Cats have quietly built one of alternative pop’s most captivating universes—without ever leaving their bedroom studio.
Comprised of Laura Dalla, the Black Cat Girl, and Kyle Lenski, the Retriever Boy, the duo transformed what began as an offhand rehearsal joke about their opposite personalities into a defining creative identity. Their dynamic extends far beyond aesthetics, shaping everything from songwriting to their ambitious “Shadow” and “Light” release concept, where every song exists in two parallel emotional worlds: one bright and euphoric, the other darker and deeply atmospheric.
Entirely self-produced, written, recorded, mixed, and developed from home, Golden Cats have proven that compelling storytelling and emotional authenticity can resonate on a global scale. As they prepare for their debut EP this October and their first-ever tour this September, the duo opens up about creative trust, building an immersive mythology for their fans, and why a pair of colored cards has become the secret to keeping both their music—and their partnership—in sync.
What began as a kid’s comment at rehearsal has become part of how people describe your chemistry. When did you realize the black cat/golden retriever comparison actually fit the band’s dynamic?
Golden Cats: We think it’s always been there somehow. Even in the beginning with the first songs we wrote, or the way we dress and speak. We just learned how to unravel it more clearly and give it the space it needed to shine.
You both had very different musical journeys before Golden Cats. What did each of you have to unlearn to make a two-person bedroom studio actually work?
Golden Cats: The biggest lesson was learning to put your ego on a little bench and let it sit in the corner for a while, hahaha. Most of the time, you have to trust your bandmate to do what they’re good at, and they have to trust you to do what you’re good at. It’s really a game of trust because there are perspectives you might not be able to see yet, and vice versa. Sometimes staying silent when you don’t need to speak is just as important.
Opposites attract, but that can also mean completely different creative instincts. When you’re stuck on a song or production decision, how do Black Cat Girl and Retriever Boy find common ground?
Golden Cats: We totally get that. Thankfully, we usually find common ground pretty naturally. Trust is everything.
For the rare moments when we reach a deadlock, we actually made little colored cards. There’s a green card that means, “Trust me on this!” and a red card that means, “Let’s pause for 30 minutes.” It turns disagreements into something playful. We learned to let our differences strengthen the music instead of interrupting the process.
Every song exists in both a Shadow and Light version. Which comes first? Is it harder to make a dark song hopeful or a hopeful song darker?
Golden Cats: Thank you! Usually the Shadow version comes first. While we’re creating it, we slowly discover what the Light version wants to become. The darker songs generally take more time, while the Light versions tend to flow much more naturally—but there are always exceptions.
You write, record, produce, and mix everything from your bedroom. What’s the reality of living and creating in the same space? Do you ever really turn the band off?
Golden Cats: Not really, hahaha. It’s a mix of loving music deeply and staying committed to what we’re building. We’re incredibly grateful to do what we love, and we always try to keep the process fun while remembering to rest whenever we can. We pour an enormous amount of devotion into everything we make, and although the routine gets busy, we feel incredibly fortunate—especially because of the people who listen to our songs and the amazing team supporting us.
The Kittens have embraced every layer of the Golden Cats universe. Was the lore intentional from the beginning?
Golden Cats: Absolutely. The lore has always been something we wanted to approach very carefully. The songs carry so much meaning that we felt they deserved their own world. The story has revealed itself to us little by little over time, and we’re intentionally taking a slow-burn approach. There are still plenty of puzzle pieces left to discover.
More than 20 million streams is an incredible milestone, especially this early. Has that rapid growth changed the expectations you place on yourselves?
Golden Cats: Of course it has. But at the same time, a huge part of being an artist is learning how to deal with that pressure without letting it affect the quality of your work. At the end of the day, our goal is always the same: we hope someone sitting at home listens to one of our songs and genuinely feels something. It’s always about people more than it is about us or the numbers.
Indie pop is having a huge moment, but if you removed every genre label, how would you describe the heart of a Golden Cats song?
Golden Cats: We’d say every Golden Cats song is meant to be a happy surprise, especially when people discover both the Shadow and Light versions. Everything we create comes from deeply emotional experiences, and we hope the songs help people the same way they’ve helped us. Everyone is welcome.
What’s next for Golden Cats?
Golden Cats: Right now we’re finishing production on our debut EP, which arrives this October, while preparing for our first-ever tour this September. There are lots of new songs, exciting visuals, and we’ll finally get to experience Golden Cats live with everyone for the first time. It’s a really exciting chapter.
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