130. EP Review of Turnbuckles by Katy Tessman
Originally Published on May 14th, 2025
About the Artist
I don’t know if I say enough how inspiring it is to write for Fifteen Minutes of Fame. Every article is just a glimpse into the lives of incredible people. People with all sorts of backgrounds and from all walks of life. Before I write, I listen and I read. I’m inspired by the people who are inspired by the plethora of subjects that might inspire anybody. In general, it may sound cliche and forgettable. Believe me, if a moment is taken to read past the opening line, it’s impossible to forget how amazing these musicians are.
Take, for instance, Katy Tessman, an Americana/Roots musician from Minneapolis, Minnesota. To say that she is simply a recording artist is an absolute oversimplification of who she is. She is a mother. She is a cancer survivor. She is an award-winning published author. She is a devoted messenger who has committed herself to her passion for storytelling; that it might help those who stop to listen. For those who do, she has quite the story to tell.
Tessman’s music career began in 2001, with the release of her debut album, Fall. Releasing on Valentine’s Day of that year, this 11-song LP runs at about 45 minutes. Opening with Wash It Away, an organic, acoustic-driven, uptempo Americana/folk song, it incorporates additional percussion performance along with a sample of waves to accompany the performance. Fall is highlighted by Wash It Away, the ballad Bright Chair, and the alt. rock infused Odd Timing, which plays like a peak Sheryl Crow performance, similar to her hit All I Wanna Do.
After the release of Fall, life took Tessman on a series of adventures that officially put her music career on hiatus. First and foremost, the birth of her sons. Her unfortunate, yet triumphant battle with breast cancer. The publication of Our Mama is a Beautiful Garden, an award-winning Children’s Story.
However, a hiatus isn’t a hiatus without a return, and return this storyteller did; Twenty-Two years after the release of fall, Tessman would release a sequence of singles that would lead to the release of 2023’s album Fly.
They say “what goes up, must come down,” but Tessman has made a habit of being an exception to most rules. Just as Fly sequentially came after her debut, fall, she rises above very profound hardships, like her battle with cancer and heartbreak in this sophomore release, which consists of 9 songs and plays just over half an hour.
Fly has a notably crisper production quality from Fall, and takes a more assertive step into the direction of Americana/Roots music. With songs like Kiss Me that features panned steel guitars, acoustic guitars, a walking bass, and simple percussion performances, Tessman leads an ensemble of musicians in this pleasant anthem.
The song Treasure Trove stops the show, as Katy Tessman takes her first real shot at performing a ballad. Treasure Trove opens with strings and a piano part accompanying her before full band support joins in, midway through the song.
Before her momentary break from music, Katy Tessman had her sights set on music. In addition to the release of her debut, Fall, she spent years touring the Northern US; from Michigan through the Pacific Northwest to Washington. With her return to music, she has returned to the stage; playing sold out listening rooms and touring with her band, The Turnbuckles, who feature her son, Louis Tessman Stanoch. To see Katy Tessman’s show schedule, check her tour schedule on her link tree.
About the EP
Turnbuckles is a 5 song EP that releases on May 17, 2025. Following her sophomore LP release, it features Katy Tessman on vocals, guitar, and mandolin, and the Turnbuckles band, and runs just under twenty minutes in length. Turnbuckles is an Americana album, with influences of Roots, Country, and Southern Rock. Turnbuckles was produced by Nikki Lemire and Michael Koppelman. Turnbuckles will be released exclusively on Katy Tessman’s Bandcamp profile.
About the Music
Turnbuckles opens with Seven Sisters, which is currently available to stream on Bandcamp. It opens with a very smooth guitar progression. Accompanied by organ, percussion and an acoustic guitar, Tessman sings over this progressively building opener. In a crescendo of sound, the chorus resounds with the full force of the turnbuckles band. As far as openers go, this is how it’s done as Seven Sisters builds throughout the entire performance, adding layer after layer of substance.
Ghost Ranch is the second track. It opens with a very soft vocal presence that introduces an acoustic and steel guitar, before Tessman comes in with the lead vocal performance. The full band is in by the first chorus. In addition to her vocal performance, this song is highlighted by a standout performance by the lead guitar player, as Tessman Stanoch layers solo performances panned to each side of the production throughout, adding a colorful complement to the leading vocal performance.
Incorporating a more Southern Roots feel; almost Southern Blues, Stay picks up the pace, featuring a groovy performance by the Turnbuckles, moving guitar performances, and very sweet vocal duet, led by Katy Tessman.
Write My Own Story is an downtempo anthem, that features an inspiring vocal performance by Tessman, and accompanied by the Turnbuckle band. Building off of a foundation played by an organ, Tessman Stanoch shines once again at lead guitar and percussion offers a pocket performance. The chorus is elevated by backing vocals that support Tessman’s lead on either side of the melody.
Bringing Turnbuckles to a close, Tessman concludes her third multi-track release with the anthemic ballad Love is Here. In a stoic 6/8 tempo, the song seems to acknowledge all the previous 4 songs encompass, embracing the theme and its listeners to its conclusion. The band pulls back just a touch in Love is Here as if to give Tessman her moment to drive Turnbuckles home. It is a musical curtain call and Tessman’s voice has certainly been the star of the show, deserving of an encore.
Final Thoughts
It should be no surprise that listening to Turnbuckles would unfurl into an experience akin to reading a book or watching a play. It incorporates my favorite part of a good album, in that each song plays a part to a bigger vision. It is fluid, it is relative, and it is wholesome.
Katy Tessman has done it once again, as she conquers another narrative, achieves another feat, and though she is a songwriter who “celebrates life’s stumbles and summits,” she’ll not be found at the bottom of any Summit in Turnbuckles. Instead, she triumphantly peaks, once again, letting her passion lead the way.
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Listen to Turnbuckles on May 17th, exclusively on Bandcamp
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