With the Christmas holiday just around the corner, we have been remiss in not decorating the studio with the trappings of the season. Instead, we took the advice of our guest and decided to go with hot dogs, tank tops and introspection…

We are extremely thankful for the music coming from the local artists and bands that serenade us with such wonderful songs. This week’s guest is no exception, as Ryan Stolte-Sawa of Columbus’ Mery Steel joins us in the studio.

Even the band’s self-description of their sound as “Haute/bas weird-adjacent moody Ohio twang pop” forces you to stop and think, which is exactly what Ryan wants you to do. Her songs are serious and sometimes uncomfortable subjects, with serene and peaceful music juxtaposed with her lyrical tales.

She broke the news on the show about the John Prine Tribute Night on January 4th at The Rambling House that she’s put together with other local musicians as a benefit show for the Appalachian Citizen’s Law Center.

We chat about the band, get teased with an upcoming suite of videos full of new music, and hear the origins of her songs. We talk about cooking a turkey the old-school way, twigs & berries, and easily come to the consensus that it’s past time that women should be in charge. There are references made about Liz Phair, Johnette Napolitano and Ute Lemper that somewhat surprised Ryan. Of course, you’ll hear some powerful music, too.

She’s playing a solo show at The Rambling House with Linden Hollow and Immediate Family (from Chicago) on December 29th, and the full band is playing January 10th at The Shrunken Head for Lindsay Jordan’s Birthday Bash.

Music on this week’s show:

1. Minuet
2. Riverland
3. Tender Get
4. War – feat. Charlie Smith “live” at Dick’s Den in Columbus

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Download: The Cat Club Podcast with Mery Steel – Episode 135