Katie Herzig "Free My Mind"

We loved Katie Herzig's last record, and we were happy to play it.

But I know, from her manager, that promoting the record was made tough by a crowded field.

Katie is a talented singer and songwriter, with smart, observant lyrics and enough pop acumen to cross from our little neo-folkie world to gain more mainstream attention.

And while that is a generally positive description, it also happens to be an apt description for a crowded current crop of talented smart female singer songwriters with potential crossover appeal.

I don't think Katie's last record sounded just like Ingrid Michaelson or Cobie Calliat or Sarah Bareilles or Brandi Carlile or Regina Spektor or Yael Naim or A Fine Frenzy or Brooke White or . . . well, you get the picture. It's a crowded field.

What do you do to distinguish yourself?

Well, you make a record that goes beyond that. Pushes further. Proves that you're not just a songwriter, you're an artist.

"Free My Mind" from Katie's forthcoming record, seems to go further and draws a definitive line between a standard-issue singer-songwriter, and where she is.

More importantly, it suggests that she will grow. And that makes the journey worth taking.


Hear the song on Youtube.