Classic Spirit, Modern Fire: Katie Dauson’s ‘Get Ready’

Last updated: January 16, 2026 6:59 am

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PHOTO CREDITS: James Nickle

Toronto’s Katie Dauson returns with Get Ready, a high-octane blast of rock and roll swagger that feels both reverent and rebellious. Known for blurring genre boundaries with ease, Dauson once again proves that roots music doesn’t have to feel retrograde. Instead, Get Ready pulses with urgency, channeling the past while sounding undeniably alive in the present.

Sonically, the track is driven by a propulsive rhythm guitar and a snarling blues harmonica that instantly commands attention. The rockabilly influence is undeniable, but it’s filtered through a modern lens — raw, unfussy, and confident. There’s a looseness here that feels intentional, like a band caught mid-groove rather than polished to perfection.

Lyrically, Get Ready thrives on confrontation. Dauson turns self-doubt into fuel, reframing criticism as a challenge rather than a setback. It’s a call-and-response with the naysayers, daring them to either rise up or step aside, all while maintaining a buoyant, almost defiant optimism.

Her vocal delivery is a highlight — gritty, commanding, and emotionally grounded. There’s a classic rock rasp to her tone that nods to Bob Seger and Wanda Jackson, yet it never feels like imitation. Dauson’s voice carries lived-in conviction, elevating the song’s message without weighing it down.

Produced by James Nickle, Get Ready captures Dauson at her most energized and self-assured. It’s a song that thrives on momentum, proving that timeless rock and roll still has plenty of room to grow — especially in the hands of an artist this fearless.

“I was listening to a lot of 70s rock and roll and rockabilly music, which inspired me to write this song. Originally, there was no harmonica in the track, but after hearing Bob Seger’s Katmandu and his iconic harmonica solos, I knew I had to add them—and play them myself. The song is full of energy, from the vocals to the rhythm guitar and harmonica solos. Lyrically, it’s about self-doubt pushing me to do better, confronting detractors, and challenging them to rise up too. Even with its deeper meaning, I wanted to keep the song positive and upbeat.”