Loose Cattle, the New Orleans-based Americana band, has taken an unorthodox path in their musical journey. Defying conventional wisdom, they started with a live album in 2013 and followed it up with a well-received Christmas record, before finally releasing their studio-recorded full-length album "Heavy Lifting" in 2021. Now, their newest offering, "Someone's Monster," showcases the band's growth and their focus on their own songwriting.

Embracing the Unexpected: Loose Cattle's Unconventional Approach

Reversing the Norm

Loose Cattle, led by vocalist and guitarist Michael Cerveris and vocalist Kimberly Kaye, has done things differently from the start. As Cerveris notes, "It usually takes a while for bands to record outside of the studio or to tackle holiday music. But the New Orleans-based Americana band started out with a live album in 2013 and followed it up a few years later with a well-received Christmas record." This unorthodox approach set the stage for their eventual studio-recorded full-length album, "Heavy Lifting," which was released in 2021, more than a decade after the band's formation.

Centering Their Own Songwriting

With "Someone's Monster," Loose Cattle has taken a significant step forward, centering their own songwriting. As Cerveris explains, "After 'Heavy Lifting,' Kim and I said to each other, 'We want to write the next record,' and we felt confident that we could and would." The pandemic shutdowns provided the band with the time and space to develop many of the songs that appear on their newest album.

Embracing Collaboration and Community

The recording process for "Someone's Monster" was a special experience for the band. As Kaye reflects, "When we were in the studio at Dockside together, it kind of dawned on me that I hadn't been with a group of people for a period of time in almost two years at that point. It felt very special to me. Community really does matter." The album features collaborations with acclaimed Americana artists, including Lucinda Williams, Patterson Hood, and a number of other guest musicians.

Exploring Empathy and Humanity

The album's title, "Someone's Monster," reflects the band's exploration of the human condition. As Kaye explains, "It nods to the fact that everyone is capable of hurting someone else. But it depends on how we handle that reality." Throughout the album, Loose Cattle takes an empathetic, humanity-focused lens, delving into their progressive worldview.

Evolving Artistry and Maturity

Cerveris and Kaye, both seasoned musicians, have seen their artistic journey evolve over the years. As Kaye notes, "When it started, Michael and I were a couple, I was in my 20s, and we were just trying to be a backyard party band. It's now clearly something different. But we didn't force it to become that … I'm in my 40s now, and a lot has happened to the world and to all of us. The way we communicate that has changed as we've gotten older and wiser."Loose Cattle's unconventional path has led them to a place of artistic maturity and a deeper exploration of their own songwriting and collaborative spirit. With "Someone's Monster," the band continues to push the boundaries of the Americana genre, offering a unique and empathetic perspective on the human experience.