Waxahatchee

Waxahatchee, the indie music project led by Katie Crutchfield, began its journey in 2010 following the dissolution of her previous band, P.S. Eliot. The project quickly gained recognition with the release of its debut album, *American Weekend*, in 2012. Written and recorded in just one week at Crutchfield’s family home in Alabama, the album was celebrated by Dusted magazine as one of the top albums of the year. The standout track “Be Good” was featured as a song of the day on NPR, showcasing Crutchfield’s poignant songwriting and establishing her as a significant voice in the indie music scene.

Building on this success, Waxahatchee released *Cerulean Salt* in 2013, which received critical acclaim and reached #1 on the Official Record Store Chart. This album marked a pivotal moment in Crutchfield’s career, as she supported Tegan and Sara on their U.K. tour and headlined her own tour shortly thereafter. The album’s success solidified Waxahatchee’s reputation for heartfelt lyrics and engaging melodies, further expanding their audience.

In 2015, Crutchfield signed with Merge Records and released *Ivy Tripp*, which continued to showcase her evolution as an artist. The album was followed by extensive touring, including collaborations with notable acts like Kurt Vile and Sleater-Kinney. This period of relentless touring helped to cement Waxahatchee’s status as a must-see live act.

The band’s fourth album, *Out in the Storm*, released in 2017, marked a departure from their earlier lo-fi sound, thanks to the production expertise of John Agnello. The album was praised for its immersive sound and Crutchfield’s sharp songwriting. With the release of *Saint Cloud* in 2020 and the upcoming *Tigers Blood*, Waxahatchee continues to push boundaries and captivate audiences, solidifying their place in the indie music landscape.