Kat Hasty has a reputation for catchy songs, meaningful lyrics, and lots of on-stage personality. Her band is developing a reputation for giving Hasty’s songs the horsepower they’ve been craving.
Their Saturday night show at the San Angelo Performing Arts Center’s Brooks and Bates Theater was part of this year’s Green Apple Music Series, and was definitely enjoyed by packed house.
“And I grew up in a house where the ground caved in
— from “The Family Business”
Crude goes out and a rich man wins.”
Hasty’s latest offering, “The Time of Your Life,” is a major gear shift from the sound of her debut album, released about four years ago.
Opening with “The Highway Song” off her debut album, we got to hear songs that originally had just acoustic backing, brought to full power by the band, which was a treat.
In a time when it feels like a lot of songs on country radio are addressed to no one in particular, Hasty’s tracks are relatable, above all else.
In “The Family Business” she writes about the pains of depending on the ground beneath you to take care of the family. A reality every audience member probably shared in one way or another.
Like all country music, the stories of loves won and lost form the centerpiece of the show.
It’s a strange time to be a young person for sure, and Hasty has more than a few choice words to say about her Texas Exes. Often with a bit more of a thoughtful sense of humor than you hear in a lot of makeup/breakup songs.
“You may think I’m the boss here but actually, she’s the boss” Hasty says, pointing to Deering, who smiles and backs away.
As tour manager, back up vocalist, and all-around Swiss-Army musician, Scarlett Deering wears many hats (including one that she mentioned that reads “Kat Hasty’s Mommy”).
Halfway through the set, Hasty needs a bottle of water, and Deering scurries off only to return with refreshment for the whole band. Clearly, a world class tour-mom.
“So, if I win 10,000 dollars then you get half; if tomorrow’s the day I disappear out of state, you’ll be the first thing I pack.”
— From “You Get Half”
Lead Guitarist Joe Kukura opens this track with a super catchy riff, with style that reminded me of an old school jazz song.
This was my favorite song of the night. With a bouncy beat and melody, and a premise that’s Hank Williams-esque in its simplicity.
Dedicated to her best friend, and detailing the antics that good friends always get up to, this one is sure to make a quick earworm.
Toward the end of the set, Hasty debuted a song from an upcoming EP titled “Last of My Youth”.
Perhaps signaling a new direction for her compositions, the band switched to a thumping backbeat accompanied by doubled violin and guitar.
And the arrangement doubled the lyrics somewhat, following a sort of “birds eye view” looking down on a youthful romance.
“Pretty Things” is her biggest hit, and she says is traditionally the finale of the show. But on this tour, she’s performing a new song called “Bad Woman” in a traditional blues-rock.
That was a real crowd pleaser. I’d give more details, but the crowd was sworn to secrecy.
Hasty seems ready to develop and deepen her style. From a local acoustic act to a full touring band, Hasty’s gift for melody and lyricism shines through.
Opening Act
Performing for a packed house Saturday, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Jackie Darlene opened for Kat Hasty.
Warming up under the bright lights while tuning her guitar, she remarked that she’s more used to performing in the corner of local restaurants.
It’s clear that she’s done her bit in the back-of-house, and I notice right away that she has a very-natural stage presence.
Darlene hails from country music nobility.
Her grandfather, Whitey Shafer, wrote “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” (with Lyndia J.), and “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?” (with Darlene Shafer).
Darlene has a wonderfully simple acoustic style. Her opening tune was titled “Weight of The World”, a ballad about hard work and motherhood.
And there’s no doubt she’s singing from the heart. After her set, she totes her guitar case in one arm, carrying her daughter in the other.
You can listen on her YouTube channel.
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