INTERVIEW: Cat Clyde Finds Rebirth in Mud, Blood, Bone

Cat Clyde delves through blues, jazz, and her own sense of self on her provocative new album Mud, Blood, Bone. In our review of the album, Bee Delores wrote, "Cat Clyde shows a real musical transformation. There's a tendency, especially in Americana music, to tap into what works and repeat the process over and over and over again, without a willingness to experiment and swing for the fences. Here, Clyde is not only daring enough to dabble, but she puts it all on the line for a career-defining project." And, she added, "it just might be the best album of 2026."

To learn more about the process behind this daring album, Clyde guides us through the musical influences and internal changes that brought it to be.

Who are some of your musical influences?
I feel very inspired by early blues and jazz music. Lately I’ve been inspired by Lonnie Johnson and Lil Green. I love Lead Belly, Etta James, The Boswell Sisters, The Mills Brothers. There is so much music that inspires me.

Name a perfect song and tell us why you feel that way.

I think "Love in Vain" by Robert Johnson embodies the feeling of letting go in such a simple and powerful way. The scene he sets is him walking his lover to the train station, her leaving and him staying behind. When I listen though - I feel as though he is speaking to letting go of anything you love or care about, or have placed any energy into. A moment in time, a version of self, a place you used to live. “The blue light was my blues, and the red light was my mind” - This lyric is particularly moving for me. I feel it poetically expresses the feeling of changing realms so purely. I will always love this song as letting go as a human can be so heartbreaking sometimes and I find this song so comforting.

Explain the title of your album Mud Blood Bone.
I went through a huge transition during the time of writing these songs and recording this record. It was a painful moment in time - but I came out the other side anew. I felt I waded through thick dark mud, cocooned inside the darkness, shedding blood - feeling the very substance of my molecules leaving me and I having to fill myself with all new fresh blood. My bones sit differently in my body now. A total renewal of self, a rebirth. This is what the title represents.

Does your album have an overarching theme?
There are a couple themes that thread through the album. One of them being love, my ideas of love, the mystery of it and finding solace and understanding through the natural world. Time is also another thread that winds through the album. Time is something I feel often curious about. There are so many different ways that time moves - especially touring and being on the road, playing music, dwelling in different environments. Time moves different everywhere you go - whether you’ve just arrived, or are about to depart. In times that are sweet, and in times you wish would change.

How do you manage having a good time at shows, but also trying to stay mentally and physically fit?
I have grounding rituals that I try hard to maintain. Getting the most sleep I can, eating the best I can, taking the stairs when I can, stretching and yoga, taking little breaks out of the car. Journaling, and taking space from my phone as much as I can. Asking for help is also a big thing, and encouraging my bandmates to do the same. We’re all in this together and we can all lean on each other and be there for each other in our own ways. It’s not easy, but my health is important to me and I try my best to keep myself grounded and relaxed as much as I can.

Have you ever been star-struck when playing with a musician?
When I opened for Rodriguez in 2018 I was extremely honoured to be in the presence of someone so profoundly excellent in their craft.

What's your biggest pet peeve about venues?
Taking a cut of the merch when they have absolutely nothing to do with that in any way.
Ugly, greasy green rooms - it doesn’t take much to make a room cozy.
Bad attitude sound guys - sometimes it happens and it’s such a downer.

Do you play covers at your shows? Why or why not?
Yes I do. I love music and I love to make a song my own. I like to share that with people. I always love hearing artists I love cover songs in their own style.

What's the best way a fan can support you?
Come out to my show and see me play. Buy my record from Bandcamp or Soundcloud. Tell their friends if they think they would vibe with my music.

Cat Clyde is on tour with Boy Golden now!

Cat Clyde – Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp