Waxahatchee
‘Tigers Blood’ by Waxahatchee
One of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the game is named Katie Crutchfield. She was born in Alabama, grew up near Waxahatchee Creek. Skipped town and struck out on her own as Waxahatchee. That was over a decade ago. Crutchfield says she never knew the road would lead her here, but after six critically acclaimed albums, she’s never felt more confident in herself as an artist. While her sound has evolved from lo-fi folk to lush alt-tinged country, her voice has always remained the same. Honest and close, poetic with Southern lilting. Much like Carson McCullers’s Mick Kelly, determined in her desires and convictions, ready to tell whoever will listen.
And after years of being sober and stable in Kansas City–after years of sacrificing herself to her work and the road–Crutchfield has arrived at her most potent songwriting yet. On her new album, Tigers Blood, Crutchfield emerges as a powerhouse–an ethnologist of the self–forever dedicated to revisiting her wins and losses. But now she’s arriving at revelations and she ain’t holding them back.
Crutchfield says that she wrote most of the songs on ‘Tigers Blood’ during a “hot hand spell,” while on tour in the end of 2022. And when it came time to record, Crutchfield returned to her trusted producer Brad Cook, who brought her sound to a groundbreaking turning point on 2020’s Saint Cloud.
They hunkered down at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas–a border town known for cotton and pecans–and searched for another turn, waited for a sign. Initially, MJ Lenderman, Southern indie-rock wunderkind (much like Crutchfield when she started out) came to play electric guitar and sing on “Right Back To It.” But as soon as they tracked it, Cook told Lenderman he had to stay for the rest of the album. And he did.
“Right Back To It” is ‘Tigers Blood’’s lead single. A nod to country duets like Gram and Emmylou, winding over a steadfast banjo from Phil Cook. Together, Crutchfield and Lenderman harmonize on the chorus: “I’ve been yours for so long/We come right back to it/I let my mind run wild/Don’t know why I do it/But you just settle in/Like a song with no end.” Crutchfield says it’s the first real love song she’s ever written.
The song “Bored” opens with blase drum beats from Spencer Tweedy that crash under Crutchfield as she throws her voice high: “I can get along/ My spine’s a rotted two by four/Barely hanging on/My benevolence just hits the floor.” Lenderman’s scuzzy riffs and Nick Bockrath’s climbing pedal steel add power to the album’s most ‘Southern Rock’ a la Drive-By Truckers moment.
“365” is a story of recognition told from a hard-won place of self-acceptance/forgiveness.
Crutchfield initially started writing it for Wynonna Judd, with whom she has written and performed in the past, until the lyrics started hitting closer and closer to home. The writer Annie Ernaux says, “writing is to fight forgetting.” Like Lucinda Williams, Crutchfield’s lyrics are memoir. Throughout ‘Tigers Blood’ Crutchfield is addressing a “you,” but the ‘you’ in “365” evokes raw closeness, vulnerability. “Ya ain’t had much luck but grace is/In the eye of the beholder/And I had my own ideas but/I carried you on my shoulders, anyways.” “365” is essentially ‘Tigers Blood’’s aria about addiction, with little to no accompaniment to Crutchfield’s voice. Her backing band is hushed, as if the spotlight’s coming down on her, alone on the stage, giving her testimony. Crutchfield slings her voice with arresting precision, reaching its highest harmony on the whole album. “So when you kill, I kill/And when you ache, I ache/And we both haunt this old lifeless town/And when you fail, I fail/ When you fly, I fly/And it’s a long way to come back down.”
“365” circles back to the beginning of ‘Tigers Blood,’ where Crutchfield’s words ring clear as a bell. Album opener “3 Sisters” starts with Crutchfield singing over hymn-like piano chords: “I pick you up inside a hopeless prayer/I see you beholden to nothing/I make a living crying it ain’t fair/And not budging.” ‘Tigers Blood’ is Crutchfield at her most confident and resilient. Staring straight at the truth, forgiving but not forgetting, not batting an eye.
— Ashleigh Bryant Phillips
More Events
Explore The Neighbourhood
Dom Martin
Irish multi award winning and UK Blues Hall of Fame artist Dom Martin embarks on a UK and Irish tour with his band to celebrate…
Learn MoreScottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Visitors looking to improve, extend, renovate or build their homes can pick up inspiration, expert advice and so much more.
Learn MoreNickelback – Get Rollin’ World Tour
Nickelback bring the Get Rollin’ World Tour to Birmingham in May 2024
Learn MoreBat Walk at Temple Newsam
Meet in the courtyard for tea and biscuits. There is a 1/2 hr natural history slide talk followed by a quiz and some videos. After…
Learn MoreJarlath Regan: Yer Man
Following millions of downloads and views on Youtube, TikTok and Instagram Jarlath Regan’s epic new standup comedy show “Yer Man” has landed. Ireland’s favourite Irishman…
Learn MoreBrick & Liquor
Situated in the heart of Westgate, when you come through Brick & Liquor’s doors you’ll find a range premium cocktails, high end beers and wines,…
Learn MoreMex bar
Lively cocktail bar, biggest bottomless brunch in Wakefield serving unlimited cocktails including pornstar martini, pizzas, fries, onion rings, chicken strips, garlic bread, house djs on…
Learn MoreHoney Pottery
Based in Horsforth, Leeds, Honey Pottery is part of the bustling community on New Road Side. Our pottery café has a fun, friendly atmosphere –…
Learn MoreThe Catchpenny
This traditional family friendly pub welcomes visitors from near or far with a motto “Your local wherever you’re from” and from the moment you’re greeted…
Learn MoreLakeside
Lakeside are based in the village of Newmillerdam known for its beautiful scenery and walks around the lake. Their family run café, deli and gift…
Learn MoreBibis Italianissimo Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
Established in 1974, an authentic family owned Italian Restaurant and cocktail bar in Leeds City Centre. Home of the sensational showtime – Our stage comes…
Learn MoreLeeds Academy For Hairdressing And Barbering
Based in Leeds City Centre, LAFHAB offers VTCT and NVQ accredited Hairdressing & Barbering courses & courses from WAHL recognised worldwide. We also offer unit…
Learn MoreNexus – University of Leeds
Community is at the heart of what we do. We help high growth businesses make the right connections and access research, talent and facilities across…
Learn MoreAge UK Leeds
Age UK Leeds is an independent charity working in Leeds to offer support and services to older people.
Learn MoreKirkstall Educational Cricket Club
The Field of Dreams and the home of Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club!
Learn MoreThe Grove Centre
The Grove (as we usually call it) is located in the centre of Horsforth set just back from Town Street. For the past 150 years…
Learn MoreAudiozone
Audiozone is Wakefield’s music hub for band rehearsal rooms, art, media and music event production in the heart of the community.
Learn MoreYAFTA International
Academy for film and television acting – education and training specialist
Learn MoreUnity Through Music Studio
Unity Through Music Studio is a Professional Recording Studio Supporting Teenager Cancer Awareness & The Donovan S Webster Trust fund in Leeds.
Learn MoreOtley Social Club
Otley Social Club is an accessible venue north of the River Wharfe, in a residential area of town. Our event will be in the function…
Learn MoreCole’s Gallery
Cole’s Gallery is a independent art gallery established in 2019 and located in the historic Leeds Corn Exchange
Learn MoreCookridge Street Shipping Container
Shipping Container Venue in Leeds on Cookridge street
Learn MoreLeeds School of Arts
The Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University A new £80m campus in the heart of Leeds City Centre. Including theatres and cinema screening…
Learn More