Echoes and Howls: Cat Clyde Transforms Schuba’s into Something Special

Chicago is filled with many iconic venues. Schuba’s in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood is one of the coolest places to see a show. Brandi Carlile used to play the stage back in the day, and she makes a point of sharing those memorable shows whenever someone brings up Chicago in her presence. Cat Clyde will, too, one day, find solace in the nostalgia of gracing the stage. She played there on Thursday, April 9, with support from Boy Golden.

All Photos By: Jeff Randolph

Cat Clyde is a Canadian singer-songwriter with hints of folk, blues, country, rock, Americana, and soul. Her sound is a melting pot of infectious melodies. Her vocals contain a grit with an essence of polished reverence. Her smile accentuates the already imperious stage presence she welcomes, usually with a guitar in hand.

Cat Clyde is touring in support of her fourth full-length album, Mud Blood Bone. She kicked off her show with the opening track from the recently released LP, “Where Is My Love.” On the album, the track begins with a howl from Cat. The howl is a release, a primal beckon and battle cry, making her arrival known to the listener. The howl became a recurring theme of the night, a call-and-response with the audience. Cat was heard.

Cat’s set included several numbers from her recent album, such as “My Love,” “Hold My Hand,” “Wanna Ride,”” Man’s World,”” Dark Back,”” Night Eyes,” and “Another Time.” Cat was joined onstage about midway through her set by the supporting act Boy Golden. They did a great rendition of “Cowboy Dreams,” a song that Boy Golden released late last year that features Cat Clyde.

The intimacy at Schuba’s creates a synergy with the audience that is hard to replicate at other venues. It is unique and recognizable by any artist taking the stage. They can either embrace it or become overwhelmed without warning. Cat was at home on the stage. Maybe the howling played a part, but it did not overshadow Cat’s amazing talents. I look forward to the next time I get to see Cat Clyde live.

Setlist

Where Is My Love

My Love

Everywhere

Gloom

Wild One

Hold My Hand

Mystic Light

Wanna Ride

Man I Loved

Man’s World

Totems

Cowboy Dreams (w/Boy Golden)

All The Black

Dark Back

So Cold

Night Eyes

Another Time

Yer Blues

The River