Photo by James Oswald
The combination of cowboy boots, country music, and LSD is a time-honored tradition here in Austin and singer/songwriter Chris Catalena is doing his damndest to keep it going. Born and raised in Central Texas, Catalena found himself on the wrong side of the law as a teenager which earned him a lengthy stay at one of our state’s beautiful penitentiaries. To make up for the lost time, Chris jumped headfirst into the heady psych-rock scene of the early 2000s. First crashing with The Black Angels and eventually Brian Jonestown Massacre where he found the support he needed to record his first album. Since then, it’s been one big road trip with occasional stops at the family ranch to help his grandmother. It was these visits that helped Chris slow down and gather material for his upcoming self titled album out this November via Spaceflight Records. We’re excited to share the first song from the new album and the wonderfully wacky illustrated video that goes along with it.
“Little Thread” is a song inspired by notion of building something beautiful, and how that can start with the littlest of somethings. The motivation of the fool never giving up the hope of love, reminded me of my little grandma stiching her elaborate quilts, starting with the littlest stitch of the littlest thread…Was really hoping to record a song my grandma could slap her knee to.”
– Chris Catalena
Inspired by John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, and Grandma Frances, “Little Thread” explores traditional country music themes with just enough weird detours to hint at his psych-rock roots. Chris Catalena is currently holed up in L.A. after wrapping up the recording process but you can catch him at a special release show September 13th at the Cactus Cafe. Until then peep the video for his new song, “Little Thread.”
The video was generously hand-drawn by Mr. Myles Crosby and animated by Casey Byars in Austin, TX.
