Biracial queer alt-folk artist Kristen Ford explodes past her breaking point on new single “Wild Heart”, out everywhere today. Click here to listen.
“Wild Heart” finds Ford at her most unfiltered as she calls out political persecution and preaches defiance in the face of the oppression of trans and non-binary communities.
“Wild Heart” was written in the immediate aftermath of the governor of Tennessee signing the state’s ‘drag ban’; a piece of legislation that aimed to effectively outlaw drag performances in front of minors. For Ford, who spent eight years calling Nashville home, before recently relocating to California, the bill was an unconscionable kick in the gut aimed squarely at the “beautiful queer culture” she had found in Music City. Says Ford, “I stand with my trans family and I feel an anger within me which is uncontained and unpredictable. Give me a sword to slay these dragons, to protect them and fight against hatred and lies”.
“Wild Heart” is accompanied by a celebratory video that features Ford and friends (including trans artist and activist Ryan Cassata) partying with queer pride in the face of a bigoted mob. Eventually, love wins as the mob finds themselves swept up in the positive camaraderie. With its raw message wrapped in sleek guitar chops, percolating percussion, and Ford’s honeyed-husky vocals, “Wild Heart” serves as a spirited indication of Pinto (out August 22nd via Righteous Babe Records), and the trusted conspirators that have helped to bring this upcoming album to life.
Legendary songwriter Ani DiFranco co-wrote the track; helping to hone Ford’s raw initial demo into its finished lyrical content, and adding her own soaring vocal parts at her Righteous Babe Studios in New Orleans. The track was not complete without John Driskell Hopkins adding his rich baritone to the mix, and dialing up the production to take the track from angry acoustic demo to full blown pissed off stadium rock energy.
Pinto is Ford’s label-debut full length release on DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records and is the result of a relationship that began in 2022 when DiFranco met Ford at a show in Provincetown, MA, quickly becoming a fan (while Ford credits a DiFranco live show as being the spark that led her teen-self to devote her life to songwriting). In the time since, these two artists have toured together, co-written four of the Pinto songs, and worked on numerous album tweaks at Righteous Babe Studios.
Fans can now pre-order limited special album packages exclusively via Kickstarter. These perks include signed vinyl and limited edition prints.
Ford is on tour across the US this summer. Info and tickets available here.
June 6th - Milwaukee, WI @ PrideFest
June 11th - Cleveland, OH @ Dunlap’s Corner Bar
June 12th - Cincinnati, OH @ Tillie’s Lounge
June 13th - Huntsville, AL @ Lipz Lounge
June 14th - Atlanta, GA @ Red Light Cafe
June 15th - Nashville, TN @ The 5 Spot
June 18th - Charleston, SC @ The Purple Buffalo
June 21st - Hoboken, NJ @ 503 Social Club
June 22nd - Worcester, MA @ Electric Haze
June 28 - Sioux Falls, SD @ The Den
June 29 - Minneapolis, MN @ Twin Cities Pride
July 4 - Madison, WI @ National Women’s Music Festival
July 7 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music
July 9 - Columbus, OH @ Natalie’s Grandview
July 10 - Chicago, IL @ UncommonGround Lakeview
July 11 - Pittsburgh, PA @ First Unitarian Church
July 12 - Binghampton, NY @ Atomic Tom’s
July 18 - Cambridge, MA @ The Burren Backroom
July 19 - Camden, CT @ Cantean
July 26 - Berkeley, CA @ The Starry Plough
Kristen Ford Online
kristenfordmusic.com
instagram.com/kristenfordmusic
facebook.com/thekristenford
tiktok.com/@kristenfordmusic
youtube.com/kristenfordmusic
open.spotify.com/artist/277P5A7cEQj8B4xfSfHyNJ
kristenfordband.bandcamp.com
For all press inquiries:
Henry Bainbridge - Death To Slow Music
henry@deathtoslowmusic.com
