Katy Tessman "Turnbuckles" Album Review
Review by: Dani Erin, Writer @danierinmusic
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Have you ever met someone and instantly you get this feeling like you have met before? There is a safety and familiarity about them. Upon first hug, it feels like you have hugged a million times before. A comfortability that hasn't had time to develop but is just there. It's a rare and strange feeling but this is how I feel every time I hear Katy Tessman’s voice. There is something very soothing and grounding about her music and what she vocally brings to each track. I am also pretty convinced that she has the answers to how the universe works. Her depth gives me a sense that she holds the master key. Katy Tessman for president and then I feel shit would get done and the whole land would be happy.
Here is what Katy had to say about her impressive musical journey, “I’ve been singing my whole life, but I started song writing when I picked up the guitar after graduating college. For about a decade, I released two albums and toured nationally—until life threw me a few plot twists: surviving breast cancer at a young age (39) and raising two sons on my own. During the pandemic, the song writing muse returned, and music once again became the way I processed it all. Music is my anchor—a way to navigate life’s twists and turns, to find connection, and to share my story.” Now let’s dig into the guts of Turnbuckles, her 5 track EP, shall we?
“Seven Sisters” is this deep tribal spiritual calling song. Who are these seven sisters and why do I feel like my spiritual guilds are way less than seven? It’s moody and ghostly and sparks up this deep inner curiosity about life in general. The song has this amazing build, like a whisper in your ear. The drums feel like it’s walking through some turmoil until the chorus gives you a final resolve. Like, hey things are weird now, but you must trust the process. It gives me reassurance. See what I mean, Katy might have all the answers ya’ll, I stand by this statement.
The second track is “Ghost Ranch” and I adore it when a song starts out with this airy vocal riff that continues throughout the track. I want to slow dance with someone to this track. It's got this waltz underbelly where I see myself barefoot dancing in my kitchen even if it's by myself. It's a song where your instinct is to sway; sway like a lazy branch under a hot August sun.
“Stay” is my favorite track off the album and for good reason. Right off the jump it feels like the band has played this song a million times. They are in the ‘pocket’ which is a technical music term meaning in the zone, grooving. I can actually feel them smiling when they play this like “hey Katy we got this, we made a bed for your vocals.” With more of an up tempo and a super playful guitar riff, it's catchy and refreshing, a good vibes kinda jam. When I asked Katy what inspires a song this is what she had to say, “I usually start with a hike—moving my body outdoors helps lyrics, phrases, and emotions bubble up, and I’ll find a hook I can’t let go of. When I get home, I build the music and verses around it. For Turnbuckles, I leaned into real-life moments and conversations, then worked with my band to bring them to life in the studio.”
“Write My Own” starts with this (again) amazing guitar solo. In fact, all of Katy’s intros are perfect. This is not by mistake, it’s a decision musicians make, and I love when they pay attention to intro and outros. Those are often overlooked because of the complexities put on the body of the song. So, when I hear them, I instantly respect the artist more and it beckons me to want to listen, a come hither. One of her lyrics that will stick with you is, “I'm not gonna live just a draft of myself, I don't want to be just someone else”. This hook is powerfully sandwiched between verses where you can tell Katy has turned a page in her own life but also summons the listener to perhaps reevaluate theirs. She's not talking the talk; she is walking the walk and in life that is all the difference. So, when I asked Katy about the band she said, “My son, Louis Tessman Stanoch, is the guitarist in my band. When he plays his solos, my mama-heart just bursts. He’s got a touch that’s both fearless and tender. I named my band The Turnbuckles because they keep everything tight. I’m so grateful for their collaboration and creativity. This new album features my band beautifully—they really give these songs their heartbeat.” I couldn't agree more!
The last track on Turnbuckles is “Love is Here” and it gives me all the feels. Like when you have gone on 10 bad dates and then you finally have one good one. It's addictively uplifting, in fact throughout this whole EP there are these hidden messages wrapped in (again) a vocal rhythmic hug. Now for the record I have never actually hugged Katy Tessman, but I do believe our worlds will collide again and push us uncomfortably close so that it might become a reality. That's the hope anyways, I digress. This track will have you singing along and mimicking the soft background vocals that elevate Katy’s voice throughout. Again, you will sway, you might even dance alone in your kitchen.
When I looked up the definition of Turnbuckles it said, “a coupling with female screw threads used to connect two rods to regulate length and tension.” I truly didn't know what that meant until I thought about Katy as a band leader and musician. Maybe this is her time to connect the dots in her own journey, perhaps she is here to withstand the pressure it takes to follow a musical calling. While finding her voice she can ease the tension of others in order to deliver quality music that isn't over-produced or AI generated. This is real. I don't know about you, but she has my vote. Katy Tessman for president and I believe the world would be a better place.
Follow Katy Tessman on her socials and listen to Turnbuckles via her linktree.
