The title track to The Hackles' third studio album, "What A Beautiful Thing I Have Made" is about longing, regret and all the things that can't be controlled in life -- and how we try to make peace with that reality. The themes weave through the album, personal and weighty but with a sly side of fantasy novel references. (Can you spot the nod to Terry Pratchett Hint: It's not turtles all the way down)
Formed in 2017, The Hackles are Kati Claborn (vocals/guitar/banjo/clarinet) and Luke Ydstie (vocals/guitar/bass/keys) of Blind Pilot, and Halli Anderson (vocals/violin) of River Whyless and Horse Feathers. Claborn and Ydstie also play regularly with Horse Feathers as well as folk legend Michael Hurley and "cosmic country lawn gnome" Bart Budwig.
The Hackles' new album pushes the trio's experimental folk sound and interest in playing with harmony, voice and genre. It is an album firmly rooted in place, written from their homes above the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore., and recorded in the Astoria-based Rope Room studio.