Even though Mary Kate Teske has moved away from her family’s farm near Terry, her debut album, released last month, prominently showcases a celebration of rural life.
Over the span of ten years, Teske crafted and penned the album’s ten songs, which encompassed a delightful blend of folk, bluegrass, and country twang, all beautifully complemented by her ethereal voice. Collaborating with a talented ten-piece band, Teske’s wife, Ali Ruth Teske, graced the album with her backing vocals and clarinet prowess.
The album encapsulates Teske’s love of nature, her unfrilled approach to storytelling and her yearning to escape the distractions of modern living. The lead single, “June Rise,” for instance, finds her on a river bank during runoff, antsy for the waters to calm but thrilled simply to be in the moment. The album’s opening track, “Planting Season,” offers a sweet and direct ode to the joys of sowing crops, while the jaunty “Hightailing It to the Hi-Line” highlights her wariness of city life and laments the disappearance of farmland.
While Teske — who moved to Billings nearly two decades ago, at age 12 — makes no bones about her preference for the analog life, she also has a knack for captivating audiences on social media. Earlier this month, for instance, she uploaded a six-minute video to TikTok in which she recounts the origin story behind her beloved 1961 Dodge Lancer; the video has already garnered over a million views. Her striking photos of Montana, often taken during trips in the Lancer, have gained a substantial following of their own.
In this installment of “The Sit-Down,” Teske reflects on her childhood in Terry, Montana’s TikTok ban, the value of a life lived slowly, and more.
MTFP: One of the main themes that I hear in your album is a celebration of slowing down and being able to appreciate the natural world a bit more. Does that ring true to you?
Mary Kate Teske: Completely. Being from a town of 500 people and growing up on a farm, it’s really slow. I drive a ’61 Lancer and my top speed is 60 miles an hour. When I’m driving on the highway, people almost rear-end me.
In my opinion, individuals nowadays seem to be in a constant rush, constantly seeking external sources of fulfillment. This lack of patience and presence prevents us from taking the time to appreciate our surroundings, cherish the company of others, and truly immerse ourselves in meaningful experiences.
In my opinion, individuals tend to rush through life and seek fulfillment externally. By being overly rushed, there is no opportunity to pause, appreciate the present moment, enjoy the company of those around you, and truly immerse yourself in experiences.
Mary Kate Teske
It is true that good things require time. As I approach the age of 30, I can confidently say that this album has been a dream of mine for a decade.
I placed a strong focus on three key aspects throughout this album: the profound connection to the land, whether it involves farming or simply immersing oneself in nature; the bond with one’s community; and the deep awareness of one’s inner self.
These elements define my identity and have brought immense joy to my life. Currently, I have no money in my bank account. However, my focus lies not on wealth, but on the richness of experiences, stories, and community.
MTFP: I love your song “Hightailing It to the Hi-Line.” Do bigger cities feel unrelatable to you?
Teske: A little bit. My dad’s side of the family actually come from the Hi-Line. They come from Havre and Chinook. My grandparents met in Roundup. And then my mom’s family is all from Trenton, New Jersey. The pace out there is just crazy. We would actually drive from Terry to Trenton, New Jersey, and visit my mom’s family. I got to experience a very vast dichotomy that showed me what I like and don’t like.
I strongly identify with the rural community. The tranquility and the organic sounds, such as cicadas, grasshoppers, birds, and the river, hold great appeal for me. I find the absence of traffic, planes, trains, and similar disturbances to be refreshing. These distractions tend to overshadow nature, whereas my desire is to appreciate and preserve it.
MTFP: How did your childhood in Terry shape your passion for storytelling?
Teske: Books, home videos and photos have always held a very special place in my life. I became a photographer pretty early on. Living in the country, my parents threw books at me all the time. They didn’t want me watching TV all the time. I have a tattoo of Henry David Thoreau on my forearm, and “Walden” is one of my favorite books. He always talks about, before you sit down to write, you need to go out and live. And so that really influenced me to do just that, go out and live and move around and seek stories and try to answer the questions that I had of my own existence.
While farming, I would often find myself sitting in the combine alongside my grandpa or in the semi truck with my dad, simply enjoying the company of music playing in the background.
My grandpa is a huge fan of fifties music, and his collection is quite impressive. He possesses all the chart books from 1940 to 1980, and he has managed to collect every single No. 1 hit on either CD or record. His archive is massive, and he possesses an extensive knowledge of the stories behind the musicians. Whenever we would spend time together in the combine, he would not only play the songs for me but also enlighten me about their historical significance. He would explain how these albums and music influenced society and shed light on the events happening in the world at that time.
Prince and Depeche Mode are also beloved by my mom. In contrast, my dad and uncles have a strong affinity for eighties music, as it reminds them of their high school days. As a result, I was brought up listening to Def Leppard and Guns N’ Roses by my dad.
My dad also loves country. When I was five years old, my dad took us down to the Cheyenne Frontier Days and we went to the rodeos. Chris LeDoux played one night in the rodeo arena. And I remember my first memory of a concert was of being at his show. As his finale, he got on a mechanical bull while fireworks were shooting.
MTFP: That sounds particularly mind-blowing to a 5-year-old! Switching gears a bit, I’m keen to ask about your experience embracing social media, especially considering your love of the natural world.
Teske: I think my first experiences going viral on the internet actually started in high school. I was writing poems and I published them on Tumblr and I actually became pretty Tumblr famous. I had people even sending me pictures of my poems tattooed on their bodies and weird stuff like that. It kind of freaked me out so I stepped back for a while.
Social media plays a significant role in every aspect of my life. In order to achieve success, I must capture captivating photos not only for personal use but also for promoting my musical aspirations. Whether it’s showcasing my guitar skills or creating a press kit, everything seamlessly merges together. Each component relies on and complements the others, as nothing exists in isolation.
MTFP: What do you think about the TikTok ban in Montana, which Gov. Greg Gianforte signed in to law in May?
Teske: It’s stupid. I think Gianforte needs to withdraw the TikTok ban bill. I’m not very political myself, but I think if he is as strong of a libertarian as he [says he] is, it should be free for all of us. And nobody should ban an app.
The TikTok community is truly remarkable. Despite its global reach, which may intimidate some, I find it incredibly beautiful and beneficial to all. This platform provides individuals with the opportunity to authentically share their stories, just as I recently did when recounting how I acquired my car.
Unless you’re willing to pay, Instagram and Facebook lack the necessary reach. In my opinion, TikTok stands out as the best thing available to the public as a free service.
MTFP: Lastly, before we wrap up: Do you consider yourself an optimist?
At times, I often perceive a significant amount of misfortune, struggle, and hardships surrounding me, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by it. However, I believe that by engaging in the act of creation, putting myself out there, and producing something remarkable to share with others, I find immense hope. This hope serves as a strong motivation for me to keep pushing myself and consistently create. It defines who I am as a person. Rather than allowing sadness and adversity to bring me down, I refuse to be defeated. I refuse to surrender to the darkness. Instead, I will persistently focus on what I can create and share, fostering a sense of community. I believe that bringing forth our best selves and sharing it with others is the most incredible thing we can do in this world.
This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
