Katie Cruel is Calling Out Your Name instead of playing it cool in her haunted new breakup ballad — premiering exclusively on Tinnitist.
The second powerful preview of the Ontario singer-songwriter’s upcoming album Lost Vagus, Calling Out Your Name is a late-night lament that will ring all too true to anyone who has loved, lost and languished in the lingering pain while ignoring friends who want you to snap out of it already.
“Yeah, I know, I’ve heard it all before / The best way to get over you is take another on the floor,” a dejected but defiant Cruel sighs, her dusty vocal slowly swaying to the strains of a smouldering, elegantly sparse soundtrack of hazy, downbeat desert Americana. Of course, healing a busted heart is easier said than done: “Oh man, I’ll never be the cool girl,” she admits. “I’ll always be the same… Calling out your name.”
Speaking of names: Katie Cruel is actually the new alter-ego of veteran singer-songwriter Kate Boothman, a mesmerizing artist whose voice — in case you hadn’t noticed — transports you to ethereal realms. Cruel’s debut full-length Lost Vagus, set for release on Sept. 29, pushes the boundaries of contemporary dream-rock.
To add another layer of brilliance to an already-remarkable sound, she joined forces with acclaimed producer Mark Howard. Known for his work with legendary artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Lucinda Williams, Howard brings his exceptional expertise to Lost Vagus, infusing it with a timeless quality and sonic richness. The collaboration between Cruel and Howard is a match made in musical heaven, resulting in sounds destined to leave a lasting impression.
Boothman has made no less of an impact on listeners. Earning a mighty reputation as a solo performer, she has played repeatedly as the invited opener for established songwriting talents like Blue Rodeo, Wilco, Joe Pernice and Kathleen Edwards. After taking five years to settle back into the Northumberland Hills from whence she came, she emerges with her new artistic persona — and a new approach that sees her embracing lushly sweeping strings, heavy bass, twangy guitars, organ swells and sometimes thunderous drums. Together, they make the trippy, washed-out folkscape of thesse tunes reminiscent of something Lee Hazelwood would have dreamed up with Mazzy Star.
Check out Calling Out Your Name above, hear more from Katie Cruel and Kate Boothman below, and find her on her website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
