Cat Clyde kicked off 2026 by making the leap to Concord Records, with whom she released a uniquely upbeat alt-folk record about rallying against heartache both within her personal and her professional life. Mud Blood Bone has kept her busy over the past six months, with plenty of touring behind the record—including a recent set of dates alongside her “Cowboy Dreams” duet partner Boy Golden.
Before she hits the road again in just over a month for a co-headlining tour with Seattle-based songwriter Dean Johnson, Clyde is reflecting on her recent trip through the Midwest with her band, Boy Golden, and photographer Mike Vanata of Western AF, who documented scenes from the tour both onstage and behind it in the green room. Check out the tour flyer for her upcoming tour below (find tickets here), and read on for Clyde’s words and Vanata’s crisp black-and-white images.
The tour began technically in Seattle, where my band and I did our album release show at Sonic Boom. We drove down to Mariposa, California to hit the West Coast part of the tour. By the time we got to Lawrence, Kansas and picked up Mike Vanata we had been on the road for over three weeks and were in full swing. On that same day, we were also joined by the Boy Golden trio—Liam, Fontine, and Austin—and we began the East Coast journey. Mike was with us for five joyful days and captured some beautiful moments of our journey.
A snap of me in the back of the van, ready to get out for some breakfast and coffee.
Here's another van photo of our drummer Mickey Bayer giving Aaron Khawaja a refreshing spritz of rose water—a life-giving ritual we had to combat the long drive cabin fever.
Here’s a photo I took of Austin, Mike, and Boy Golden outside the Bottleneck Theatre in Lawrence, Kansas. Austin is placing a Cat Clyde sticker as high as possible on the streetlamp.
Here’s the band before the show, each showing our love and appreciation for our amazing tour manager Austin Koontz. A dream sharing the road with these beautiful gentlemen.
Here’s a lovely portrait that Mike took of me backstage.
Here we are ripping up the stage at the Rose Music Hall. After the show, as we were packing up, I put some country tunes on the speaker system so Mike and I could have a little dance. Fun fact: It was the first time I was spun in the air dancing!
And here's Aaron and I holding it down on stage at the Rose Music Hall in Columbia, Missouri.
Mike captured Sam Peterson and I backstage warming up with some jokes and songs before the show.
I feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to share the stage with such beautiful and incredible people. These men support me in so many ways and are a constant source of grounding and inspiration. I love being on the road with them—it’s always a wonderful adventure when they’re by my side. Having Mike along for the ride was so joyful and sweet, and Austin guiding us from one place to the next. Having the Boy Golden trio was such a gift to see them rinse the crowd each night and rip it up. I love sharing my music, and traveling. I love my life and all the wonderful people who are in it.
