The Pretty Reckless' Taylor Momsen Covers 'This Land Is Your Land'

The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen Covers ‘This Land Is Your Land’

2018-07-06

Story by Charles Ken, photo by Anne Erickson

Listen to a bluesy cover of ‘This Land Is Your Land’ by Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen got into the 4th of July spirit by unleashing a laid-back, bluesy cover of the patriotic Woody Guthrie folk song, “This Land Is Your Land.” Momsen released the song via a YouTube video, which shows picturesque photos of American landscapes taken by the band’s late producer Kato Khandwala, who passed away earlier this year.

Khandwala served as a producer on all three of The Pretty Reckless’ albums. He passed away in April from injuries following a motorcycle accident. He also worked with Breaking Benjamin, Pop Evil and My Chemical Romance.

Shortly after his passing, Momsen posted a tribute to him on her social media pages. “Ten years ago, while trying to put my band together, through a series of lucky events, I found myself sitting in my apartment on 23rd street in (New York City) across from two men, who, little did I know, would change the entire direction of my life,” she said. “Unlike all the other musicians and producers I had met, here were two longtime best friends, with so much passion for music. They just breathed an infectious and uncompromising love of music. Their names were Kato and Ben (Phillips).”

She added, “I found myself drawn to their relationship and its musical roots. I wanted to join their world. A few months later, we would start making music together, and two best friends would become three. We were inseparable for the next nine years and formed a relationship we all knew would last a lifetime. It was everything. Then on Wednesday night, in a sudden moment, Kato was gone. He was our ringleader, our confidant, my best friend, my family, my musical soulmate. Nothing will be the same without him. All the character and music he brought to this world will have a lasting impact, and he will never be forgotten.”

“I love you, Kato,” she concluded. “I will miss you every minute of every day. I don’t know what to do without you.”

The Pretty Reckless most recently released 2016’s “Who You Selling For,” which includes the hit single “Take Me Down.”

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Charles Ken

Meet the expert - Charles Ken is a graduate of Michigan State University where he studied writing and history. He's a longtime music buff and covers classic rock for Audio Ink Radio. Contact him at ken@audioinkradio.com.