New EP From Folk-Americana Artist KATIE POWDERLY
SOULFUL FOLK-AMERICANA ARTIST
KATIE POWDERLY
RELEASED SOPHOMORE ALBUM
LIVE BY THE SONG, DIE BY THE SONG
ON DECEMBER 31, 2023 VIA RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD RECORDS
OUT EVERYWHERE NOW
Above: ‘Live By The Song, Die By The Song’ Album Artwork
NASHVILLE, TN (February 2, 2024) — Soulful folk-Americana singer/songwriter Katie Powderly recently released her five-track sophomore album, Live by the Song, Die by the Song (December 31, 2023), via Red-Winged Blackbird Records, including five bonus live recordings on the CD and vinyl of the project. Whether dark and haunting or sweet and beckoning, between the sweet and stinging songs of Live by the Song, Die by the Song, Powderly leaves a lasting mark on our hearts.
STREAM LIVE BY THE SONG, DIE BY THE SONG HERE.
Live by the Song, Die by the Song (December 2023), — a stripped down, acoustic EP with bluegrass influence — is a testimony to her exponential talent both vocally and as a songwriter. There is an inexplicable depth to each song on the EP. The anchorage of the acoustic guitar and judicious use of mandolin and fiddle weave together, forming a foundation for Powderly’s plaintive vocals to rest upon.
Live by the Song, Die by the Song serves as a portrait of Katie's emotional landscape, informed by a summer spent splashing in the Shenandoah River while in the throes of a fizzling summer fling. The EP is a collection of songs, “each of which is an allegory,” explains Powderly. “On the surface, they're love stories, but the deeper universal ideas explored are loyalty, passion and regret. Each song tells one chapter of a broader narrative. I rely on metaphor and symbolism to reveal my commentary on the subject like a puzzle you have to put together as you listen.” At times, the songs feel cathartic for both her and the listener.
This collection of ominous Appalachian ballads depicts Katie’s realization of having mistaken a bouquet of red flags as roses with their thorns. “My Mourning Dove” (July 2023), the first single off the EP, “tells a tale of passion and consequence, desire and regret,” Powderly shares. “It's partly about the feral nature of humans and how we're just animals beneath a thin veneer of civility.”
But, as with most of her songs, there’s more to the story. While living on a farm in Maryland surrounded by wildlife, a pair of mourning doves nested near her front door. “I used them as an anchor point to write ‘My Mourning Dove,’ like an open letter to someone who had allowed themselves to become subsumed by their grief, focusing solely on what was lost to the extent that they were neglecting the relationships that still existed in front of them,” she explains. “I think that's kind of an irony about grief. We can focus so much on what we've lost that we ignore and push away the people trying to be present for us until we lose them, too.”
This was not the only song that made heads turn; “Tobacco” (October 2023), the opening song on the EP, earned Powderly the title of semi-finalist in the Tennessee Songwriters Week competition in Bristol, VA at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in February of 2023, besting musicians and performers seen on The Voice and American Idol. “Revolving Door” (August 2023), another standout single from the project, went on to win first place in the qualifying rounds of the contest this year (2024), awarding her the same honor exactly one year later.
Live by the Song, Die by the Song Tracklisting:
“Tobacco”
“My Mourning Dove”
“High Horse”
“Revolving Door”
“Love Me One More Time Before I Go”
CD & Vinyl Bonus Tracks:
“Bankrupt (Live at Mystery Ton Studios)”
“Live & Learn (Live at Mystery Ton Studios)”
“My Mourning Dove (Live at Mystery Ton Studios)”
“Tobacco (Live at Mystery Ton Studios)”
“Revolving Door (Live at Mystery Ton Studios)”
Above: Katie Powderly; Credit: Sean Reel
The pairing of darkness and beauty is one that works for songwriter Katie Powderly, whose storytelling evokes images of Appalachia and honors the bluegrass legends who came before her. Powderly’s powerful lyrics and haunting delivery have generated a grassroots following among fans of modern Americana storytellers like Tyler Childers and Jason Isbell, while her captivating singing and harmonies have been compared to songbird Gillian Welch and legendary Gram Parsons.
While she now calls the The Blue Ridge Mountains of Maryland home, Katie Powderly emerged onto the music scene in Madison, Wisconsin, quickly accumulating awards including “Best Country/ Bluegrass Performer” at the Madison Area Music Awards. It didn’t take long for her Midwestern relatability, emotionally resonant singing and skillful songwriting to launch her name across the country. Powderly has shined wherever she’s gone, sharing bills with acts such as Tony Rice, Del McCoury Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Steel Wheels, The Black Lillies, Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim and The David Mayfield Parade, to name a few.
Katie’s debut album, Slips of the Tongue (March 2012 via Red-Winged Blackbird Records), was named “one of the best albums of the year” by Local Sounds Magazine, and journalist Rick Tvedt declared it “one of the best recordings to ever come out of the Madison area.” The album featured a long list of well-known musicians including Josh Oliver (Watchhouse/Mandolin Orange), Bryn Davies (Tony Rice, Guy Clark, Jack White), Tom Pryor (The Black Lillies), and Jill Andrews (the everybodyfields). The record was recorded at Butch Vig's famed Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin with help from Scott Minor (Sparklehorse) in Knoxville, TN.
At the time of its release, Slips of the Tongue was one of Kickstarter's highest-yielding projects and was highlighted on the homepage of their website. It was originally only released on CD and vinyl via Kickstarter, but in August 2022 Powderly re-released the 10-year anniversary edition across streaming platforms.
When Katie is not on the road sharing her solo musical experiences with audiences across the nation, she is performing with her electrified Americana band, The Unconditional Lovers, whose first album will be released this year (2024).
She recently stepped away from her position on the bluegrass bass, playing and singing in hard-driving PA bluegrass band, Dead Horse Revival, which features former members of Mountain Ride. During Katie’s tenure in the band, Dead Horse Revival recorded and released a 7-track EP of original songs entitled All Hat No Saddle available on streaming platforms everywhere, and won “Best Bluegrass Band” in the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame Awards.
In the past Katie has acted as bluegrass bass sideman for such acts as The David Mayfield Parade and Woody Pines.
Powderly’s prowess shines through every project she touches. She now continues to hone in on her craft through her solo endeavors going on to create yet another masterpiece. Live by the Song, Die by the Song is available everywhere you listen to music and available on vinyl or CD through Katie’s website.
Above: Katie Powderly; Credit: Sean Reel