Kristen Ford has left the breaking point far behind her. On “Wild Heart”, the latest single from Ford’s upcoming album Pinto, the LA based and Nashville grown singer-songwriter goes farther than ever before. Produced by John Driskell Hopkins and Kristen Ford, the track is a proud entry into the canon of defiant, inspirational queer anthems.
The five minute track confronts rising waves of bigotry in the United States with a crisp drumline and catchy chorus. From the start, it’s explosive and irresistible. In the first 20 seconds, Ford can be heard shouting over a rising, whirring sound. All of it is reminiscent of falling into an abyss. The track then shatters its own ceiling with a snappy bassline and punchy guitar riff. “I’ll be the hero,” Ford croons in her distinctive, rasped voice. This opening line sets the scene for the rest of the song.
Lyrically, Ford does not hold back. There’s no mistaking what the song is about. Ford is proud in her delivery of lines that proudly promise she, and her community, will not back down from the fight for LGBT+ rights. For Ford, there’s no mistaking that trans and nonbinary people are integral to this fight. The song’s bridge is an unmistakable description of the transgender pride flag. In other words, Ford wants to make sure there’s no room for confusion.
This clarity is important. Written in response to Tennessee’s anti-drag act, “Wild Heart” is a direct response to hatred that is no longer masked behind fake smiles and laughs. Ford understands that the time for niceties has passed.
The song is aptly named. When Ford sings, “I was born with a wild, wild heart,” you can’t help but feel galvanized. The track is both an exclamation from Ford herself and a battle call to the rest of us. No where is this more evident than when Ford callbacks to the opening chaos of the track, shouting, “Let’s go” over a wild explosion of sound. Her message is clear: we’ve passed the breaking point, now is the time for action.
The music video echoes these sentiments. Against a purple and picnic backgroup, Ford and her band celebrate their queer identity in front of a gathering of agitators. In the face of hatred, Ford and her group dance on. Ultimately, however, Ford preaches hopes. The video ends with this same crowd joining in on the celebration. For Ford, loves will always win. Her optimism is also seen in her belief that now is the perfect time to reclaim the narrative. “The rulebook has been thrown out by the current administration,” she says, “we can turn this disorder back on them and boldly create the world we want.”
This conviction is commendable in an artist like Ford. As a queer, biracial creative, Ford is no stranger to bigotry. Her upcoming album, “Pinto”, confronts the challenges she’s faced in her own time, while reconciling both past and future. Ford’s search for truth serves as the firm foundation for her ultimate message: you, no matter who you are, matter. “Wild Heart” is, in many ways, a culmination of Ford’s beliefs as an artist and human. There’s no room for doubt when she exclaims she was born for this.
Ford’s upcoming album Pinto is out August 22nd, and is available for pre-order now. Catch Ford on tour this summer at the following dates: June 13th – Huntsville, AL @ Lipz Lounge June 14th – Atlanta, GA @ Red Light Cafe June 15th – Nashville, TN @ 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 July 10 – Chicago, IL @ UncommonGround Lakeview July 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Unitarian Church July 12 – Binghampton, NY @ Atomic Tom’s July 18 – Cambridge, MA @ The Burren Backroom July 19 – Camden, CT @ Canteen July 26 – Berkeley, CA @ The Starry Plough
Ah, SXSW—the annual pilgrimage where sleep is optional, lines are inevitable (unless you have a fancy badge like me), and discovering your new favorite band is just a wrong turn away. This year, I had the honor of being a Music Mentor, which basically meant I got to skip a bunch of lines and pretend I knew what I was talking about. Between catching insane live sets, running into nerdcore legends, and witnessing a band perform with actual puppets, it was a week of pure, beautiful madness. Here’s my completely unfiltered, sleep-deprived recap.
Nothing like an early morning flight from TPA to AUS to remind you that sleep is for
the weak.First stop: badge pickup. This year, I was a Music Mentor, which means I was an “Official Speaker.” This also means I had the SXSW equivalent of a Disney Fastpass and could waltz past lines like a VIP.After securing my golden ticket, I hit SXSW Songs at Arlyn Studios, an
international songwriting camp where artists, producers, and songwriters from all over the world
come together to create magic. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of SXSW—like a hidden level in a video game.First show of the week? Japanese heavy metal band Gokumon. They had
synchronized dance moves, headbanging, their own hype person, and even projected lyrics in both Japanese and English. Their soundcheck was so serious I half expected a NASA countdown. 10/10, would headbang again.People say “Rock is Dead” while a Japanese band absolutely destroys a venue in Austin, Texas, in front of a mostly Japanese audience. Yeah… rock’s fine, guys. Maybe you just need to leave the US.“Hey man, are you a Bucs fan?” “Nah cuz, the hat just goes with the shoes.”It doesn’t get any more Austin than Bob Schneider, who’s been playing at Saxon Pub
every Monday for 26 years. I caught him not at Saxon, but performing a few songs for a live
radio broadcast on Sun Radio.Randomly ran into MC Frontalot, a nerdcore hip-hop pioneer (per Wikipedia, the
most trusted source of SXSW bathroom line debates). We had a full conversation before I
realized who he was. Later, I tried to watch his documentary, Nerdcore Rising, on the flight
home… but, plot twist: it’s not on streaming.Thanks to MC Frontalot, I caught British duo Alt Blk Era at Parish. Easily one of the best sets of the week. Their stage was a fog machine’s dream, and their lyrics included gems
like: “She’s snorting cocaine every other weekend / She’s partly insane, she’s my drummer’s
girlfriend.” Poetry.Hardcore Montreal band Truck Violence performed like they had a personal vendetta against silence. I respect the energy.Saw the amazing Quelle Rox at the very fancy Driskill Hotel during a party hosted by
Notorious Noise and The Luna Collective—two badass, women-run companies with
impeccable taste. Nothing says “rock and roll” like a luxurious chandelier above a mosh pit. Baths played in direct sunlight at Flood Magazine’s Floodfest, making it the
Hottest Set at SXSW (literally). We all barely survived. This was my annual reminder to drink
water.Irish post-punk band Gurriers played next and proved why they were one of the
most hyped bands this year. With 35% of SXSW bands coming from overseas, it felt like Austin became the most cultured city in Texas.Tried to see Dead Gowns at Cheer Up Charlie’s. This is as close as I got.The Creem Mag/Third Man Records Showcase was a masterclass in chaos, but
Brooklyn’s TVOD (Television Overdose) took the crown. They played 13 shows in 6 days, which is either legendary or a cry for help.Met Sons of Sevilla at a party early in the week. They told me about their set at the
Space Agency party, so I made it a point to check them out. Glad I did—great music, great
guys. Also, this is your reminder to talk to strangers (at SXSW, not in dark alleys).Speaking of the Space Agency party, the wildest set of the week came from
Worn-Tin and the Freak Nature Puppets. Yes, puppets. The crowd lost their minds. I can’t
even explain it, and honestly, I don’t want to.Acid Baby Jesus packed Hotel Vegas to the point where it was one in, one out the
entire set. I was shoved into a wall but accepted my fate. Greek psych rock waits for no one.Jasmine.4.t ended their set with a System of a Down cover, which instantly made
them my new favorite band.Before heading to the airport, I had to catch Frankie and the Witch Fingers. They
were the most talked-about band at SXSW, and somehow I had scheduling conflicts every time
they played—except for this one last set at the BrooklynVegan party. Perfect way to close out
the madness.
SXSW TLDR:
Rock is alive and well
Hydration is essential
Nerdcore legends walk among us
Puppets belong in live music
My SXSW Fastpass badge was the real MVP
See you next year, Austin.
About the Author: Randy Ojeda is an entertainment attorney dedicated to protecting the rights of musicians and creatives. As the founder of Randy Ojeda Law, he provides legal counsel on contracts, intellectual property, and business matters, helping artists navigate the complexities of the music industry. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a member of The Florida Bar, Randy combines his legal expertise with real-world industry experience. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Cigar City Management, an artist management company, and the host of Cigar City Radio, a podcast featuring interviews with musicians and industry professionals. Follow Randy @realrandyojeda https://www.randyojedalaw.com/
Day one at Newport Folk Festival 2024 was an absolute whirlwind. There were almost too many amazing sets to photograph, and not enough time. Performers included Billie Marten, Petey, Sir Woman, and Wednesday that Friday. Eric Tsurumoto grabbed some quick pics of them all.
Award-winning musicians Madison Cunningham and Andrew Bird have taken their mass of individual talents and teamed up to form the folk power duo of Cunningham & Bird. They have been taking the festival circuit together, bringing a sense of calm and power to each set. Eric Tsurumoto captured some of their magic.
Minneapolis-based guitarist, songwriter, and producer Cory Wong entertained the masses on day three at Newport Folk Festival 2024. The musician takes to a variety of genres quite well, blending aspects from soul, folk, R&B, jazz, and more to bring a funky, community feel to his performance. Eric Tsurumoto captured the energy of this performance perfectly.
If you have ever had the pleasure of seeing Brittany Howard perform live, then you surely understand the meaning of the word “enchanted.” Witnessing her live performance is like heaven itself, and it was no different on day three of the Newport Folk Festival. Eric Tsurumoto got us some highlights, below.
American rock outfit The War On Drugs took the stage at Newport Folk Festival on day 2 to an excited audience. The band seemed to really appreciate their circumstance while they began the set, an appreciation that almost rippled through the crowd as well. Eric Tsurumoto caught some highlights for us.
The world’s favorite cowboy, Orville Peck, took the stage on Day 2 of the Newport Folk Festival 2024. His feisty set — and incredible boots — was a standout, and Eric Tsurumoto got a few fun photos for proof.
Alternative pop trio MUNA dropped by the first day of Newport Folk Festival 2024 in Rhode Island to check out some of their favs. They were also there to perform and, actually first and foremost, did just that. In fact, they performed their asses off. Katie Gavin performed some acoustic solo tracks as well. Thankfully, Eric Tsurumoto grabbed some highlights for us.
