“...inhabiting the same musical geography as Gillian Welch and Aoife O’Donovan, fiddle and guitar combining to create a sublime bluegrass ambience.” -Graeme Tate

Americana UK

“Powderly possesses a singing style similar to Gillian Welch, Natalie Merchant, and Emmylou Harris in its soft sensual delivery.”
- Lee Zimmerman

The Alternate Root Magazine

“Katie Powderly’s ‘Live By The Song, Die By The Song’ Is a puzzle uou put together by listening.”
-Hannah Means-Shannon

Wildfire Music + News

“Celebrating the beauty of simplicity with stripped-down, acoustic instrumentation, [Live by the Song, Die by the Song] features a blend of acoustic guitar, haunting vocals and occasional touches of mandolin and fiddle, bringing the spirit of the mountains to life.

It showcases 10 songs that demonstrate Powderly’s evolution as a songwriter and a reflection of her experiences living in Appalachia.”
- Lauren LaRocca

The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, MD)

“Appalachian ballads, the outcrop of a summer affair that turned sour, are all allegories, opening in smoking style with the fingerpicked tumbling and fiddle coloured 'Tobacco' which pretty much lays out the emotional backdrop....

The last of the five, graced with poignant forlorn folksy violin 'Love Me One More Time Before I Go' is also perhaps the loveliest and most heartbreaking and glows with the warmth of a traditional American folk ballad.... She's most definitely now on my radar to flag up future releases. She should be on yours too.”
-Mike Davies

FATEA Magazine

“"When it’s just you, your voice, and your guitar, there isn’t much to hide behind, which is how Katie Powderly likes it.

The singer-songwriter shines brightly on her latest release, the five-song EP Live by the Song, Die by the Song… Powderly utilized a stripped-down approach, relying predominantly on her talents as a songwriter and vocalist. And it’s those talents that are very apparent, with a collection of powerful, heartfelt tracks.

They will get you thinking, but the answers, those you will have to seek out for yourself. Her powerful lyrics and bold, honest approach lend a cathartic quality to these songs. Impressively and sincerely, Powderly packs a lot into five tracks.”
– Christopher Gonda

V13 Magazine

"Powderly brings poetic justice and a feminist reinterpretation to the century-old murder ballad." - Lauren LaRocca

The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, MD)

“Powderly’s impassioned delivery of these lyrics, combined with [her partner’s] harmonies and a keen ear for Smoky Mountains folk and bluegrass tunes, echo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings’ collaboration on Time (The Revelator).” - Jessica Stein

Isthmus (Madison, WI)

“Besides this Gypsy aesthetic, Powderly is a singer with a plaintive voice rising above her at-times-rollicking finger-style guitar. There's a hint of the Grievous Angel in this mid-west mama's music.” - Frank Di Blase

City Newspaper (Rochester, NY)