The moment we heard the opening guitar riff on "Mama Said", we immediately fell for Cat Clyde. The singer-songwriter's music has an instantaneous calming effect on its listeners, due in large part to her smoother-than-smooth, mellow vocals. The Ontario native's debut album, Ivory Castanets, was released last month, and plays home to a collection of songs that speak to her love of the outdoors, traveling, and nature as a whole.
The visuals for the aforementioned lead single off the LP start off with Clyde playing guitar an abandoned bus and lead to her venturing out into the wilderness. If you haven't seen it, A. it's summer goals and B. do so, ASAP.
Ahead of her tour with ZZ Ward (which kicked off on Wednesday in Chicago), we chatted with the up-and-coming folk star about her passion for hiking, dirt roads, and thick forests—oh, and her new album, of course. Check it out below then make sure to track her on Bandsintown to see her in your city!
Best place you’ve hiked on tour?
While on tour with SUSTO we found some green on the map, and ended up hiking on this very beautiful mountain trail. I'm not exactly certain of the location, but the trail winded up hill through beautiful lush green forest. That was definitely the best place I have hiked while on tour.
Your go-to walking spot when looking for inspiration?
I have a lot of go-to spots—it all depends on my location or mood. I don't necessarily walk for inspiration, more to connect and be more grounded. I really love dirt roads with field and forest views. Any forest walk is always a great walk and train yards are always good.
What summit would you most like to perform your new album on?
Any mountain would be a great place to play a top.
Best place you’d tell fans to hike while listening to your new LP?
Each song has a different flavour, so I don't think I could pick one place in particular. I think "Sheets of Green" would be great in a thick forest. "The Meadow", obviously in a meadow. "Running Water" by a river or stream. "Like A Wave" by a large body of water. "Heavy Weight" maybe in an open trail. "Mama Said" I think driving anywhere where the scenery is nice. "Man I Loved Blues", "Move Along", and "Walkin' Down The Road" I think would all be great walking down a nice dirt road. "Chimes In The Night" I think would be best listened to in the woods, in the winter during a slow, silent snow fall.
Ideal hiking destination to record a sessions at?
The bus shack from my "Mama Said" video I think would be really cool to record a session at. It would be great to really fix it up, get it livable, and maybe record a whole record there.