Singer-songwriter and activist Crys Matthews is one of our favorite folk meets country crooners. Her new single is called "Waking Up the Dead" and the song is shared alongside a music video. The track is the second off of her upcoming album Reclamation where she reclaims the space of Americana and Country music where many black and LGBTQ+ artists have been denied.
With "Waking Up the Dead", Crys pens a song all about a crazy and unique experience she had. The artist was inspired by a supernatural encounter at a Quaker Meeting House in Fallsington, PA, which is where the video was filmed. She shares, "I was there for a show back in January and, because I am notoriously early, they weren't quite ready for me to set up yet. I didn't want to stress them out, so I just went out back and started walking around, and I could feel somebody in that cemetery being so incredibly happy to see me there. It was surreal. I went back inside and immediately started writing." Lyrics including "Wondering who they were when they were alive / Dirt on my souls from a graveyard stroll / Picking up the pieces of the past / And the ghosts don't scare me in this cemetery / No no / They're singing freedom / freedom at last," show this paranormal experience. Musically, Crys dives into bluegrass on "Waking Up the Dead", complete with emotive banjo, spirited mandolin and poignant fiddle. The fast-paced rhythm of the song and the intricate melodies invite listeners to tap their feet while also offering a profound connection to the otherworldly story being told. Her ability to blend bluegrass, folk, and country elements creates a unique sound that resonates with a wide audience. The music video shows the artist at the place where she felt the dead. The video also cuts to footage of the studio showing all the talented musicians who performed on the song.
Crys Matthews is a proud daughter of the south who uses her music to amplify voices of the unheard. She is an award-winning artist, musician and songwriter who often writes about socially conscious themes. Check out "Waking Up the Dead" now and get lost in the sound.
Connect with Crys Matthews: INSTAGRAM
