Over a decade on from their breezy debut single Got Me Goin’, the New York-based Synth-Pop duo Paperwhite – consisting of siblings Katie (singer/songwriter) and Ben Marshall (producer/songwriter) – have long cemented themselves as a class act. At its core, their sound echoes the electronic beats of the past, all the while feeling distinctively modern. Importantly, their enduring creative partnership has everything to do with their resilience and ability in craving out a space in an ever changing industry.
In 2025, Katie and Ben Marshall now find themselves refreshed and refocused (after a long hiatus) on Reach, their latest five track EP, which bristles along with themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and wonder. One might argue that this new project is their best effort to date. On their standout track This Feeling, the Marshall siblings want to remind us that we shouldn’t be frightened by “those moments where the world feels unrecognizable” and that we should trust our inner voice that there is “still magic in the world”. If anything, This Feeling and tracks like By Your Side and Unfold showcases precisely what it means to be Paperwhite.
I recently caught up with the Marshalls to talk about their creative process, band dynamics and the most surreal moment of their musical career so far. Here is some of what we talked about.
For those new listeners, could you tell us a little bit about the history of the band? What drew you into making music together?
Katie – Ben and I are brother and sister so we’ve been collaborating our whole lives. We really started working together more seriously when Ben was producing my singer songwriter tracks. He was in college at the time and I was still in high school. It took many years of us honing in our personal styles but ultimately those songs began to transform into what we now know as Paperwhite.
Ben – Yeh I think Paperwhite was really born when we combined Katie’s voice and songwriting with my love for electronic music and production. It felt like a unique combination that we wouldn’t be able to create without each other.
How would you describe the creative process within the band?
Katie – In simple terms, we say that Ben is the producer and I am the songwriter but it’s much more nuanced than that. We’re lucky that our skill sets are very complementary. Sometimes a song starts from a production idea that Ben will send over to me and other times I’ll send over an idea I’ve had on piano. We really take our time on figuring out what the song is asking for in terms of lyrics and final production. Each song creates an initial feeling and that really sets the foundation for where we take the song.
Your work often brings to mind electronic music of the past. Could you discuss your influences and your process of incorporating them into your music?
Ben – In the early days of Paperwhite I was looking to balance Katie’s voice which I think would normally be complimented with acoustic/electric instrumentation. Something more organic to match her timbre. We gravitated towards analog synths and drums machine’s like the linn drum because it had that acoustic/organic quality. We kind of fell into the Synth Pop world by accident by nature of the instrumentation, but nostalgia has always been a theme for us. We grew up listening to Tears For Fears and other iconic 80s bands so I think there’s a connection there as well.
A focus on extended plays and singles is a trait I’ve noticed about how you release music. Is this a response to changes in how people access music, or is it a creative choice?
Katie- I think it’s a little bit of both. We’ve always wanted to do a longer album purely out of creative expression but for now staying consistent with releasing music has been a huge priority. As many of you know, we did take a long hiatus so coming back with a bunch of singles allows us to get back in the groove with releasing. I think we’ll continue that way for a little longer.
Ben – Yeh it’s a tricky balance in the current landscape. I love the depth of an LP, but it means we have to disappear for a year or more before we can release anything. We’re trying to stay fast and nimble at the moment.
Your music isn’t just synth-pop but also a storytelling device. Can you discuss some of the key messages or themes behind the songs on your new EP Reach?
Katie- I think some of the biggest themes that come through in Reach revolve around longing and observing and moving forward. This EP represents a time for us and many others where there has been a lot of uncertainty but we’re always holding onto hope.
What is your approach to live performance? Are there any ways in which you feel the music differs in a live setting?
Ben – Our music has always been tricky to translate to a live performance. Doing the full band thing with lots of backing tracks never felt quite right(even though I think live instrumentation is very exciting to see). We put so much care into the production to make sure the right feeling comes across and so you can be enveloped in it. To me that’s been the best way to perform live. Bring the electronic elements to life through performance but trying not to alter the sounds and feeling too much.
What has been the most surreal moment of your musical career so far?
Katie – Paperwhite has had kind of a slow build so I can’t think of one surreal moment in particular but every time a fan reaches out to tell us how much of an impact our music has had on their lives is pretty surreal. I really believe in surrendering the music to our listeners and letting it live outside of us so when that happens it’s pure magic!
Ben – I think the early days of Paperwhite were some of the most exciting. To have such low expectations and then see our songs amass millions of streams was a real confidence boost for both of us. I hadn’t really been producing for a living before that, and I think that was kind of a transition into feeling like I’ve “made it” (translation – make music and not be broke lol).
What’s your next project? What does the rest of 2025 have in store for Paperwhite?
Katie – The goal for 2025 and beyond is to just keep writing and releasing more music! We’re ready to dive deeper into this world we’re creating with you all. Building this community and sharing our perspective is so important to us. We’re excited to continue to grow alongside all of you!
Rearview Mirror 
You ask such thoughtful questions. It must make people feel comfortable opening up. I especially enjoyed the one about music as a storytelling device.
Thanks so much. I’m always genuinely interested in the musicians I interview.
Congrats to the interview, Robert. Katie and Ben seem to be pleasant folks. Messages of hope are welcome in what oftentimes feel increasingly uncertain times.
Very nice sound. It reminds me of the Chvrches.
It seems it has been a pleasant interview.
Good job.