“This is a win for all of us. It’s for all the scrappy kids who have been underestimated, overlooked or counted out.” That powerful sentiment from Amy Acton resonated deeply with Curt Kiser, the Cincinnati-based musician known as Carriers, who transformed the Americana classic “Look At Miss Ohio” for his recent performance. The track, an adaptation of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings’ 2003 gem, arrived as a significant political shift took hold in Ohio, marking a moment of unexpected hope amid a challenging national climate.
The inspiration for the cover was Acton’s victory in the Ohio governor race on Tuesday night. Kiser, who records lightly psychedelic, Americana-infused indie rock, spent the night tracking the song, a tribute that melded his own artistic vision with Acton’s win. For Kiser, the victory represented a sense of hope for something, anything to change in a positive direction for Ohio and the country.
The Weight of a New Chapter in Ohio’s Political History
Kiser’s reaction to Acton’s campaign was rooted in admiration for her approach to public service. He noted her dedication, citing her work as a public health servant. He remembered watching her on television daily, not just absorbing the data on COVID-19 cases, but witnessing her ability to convey difficult truths with “care, intention and gentleness.” This stewardship, Kiser contended, offered a sense of hope that we could get through this together.
The significance of Acton’s win is viewed through the lens of gender and political representation. Kiser pointed out a statistic: historically, only 15 women have served as governor in the United States. His belief is that this is changing now.
Beyond the political victory, there is a cultural resonance with the song itself. “Look At Miss Ohio” carries a melancholic yet resilient spirit. By choosing this specific song, Carriers is highlighting the duality of the moment: the sadness of the preceding difficult years juxtaposed against the possibility of the future.
A Personal Connection Meets a Political Milestone
The bond between Kiser and Acton predates the campaign. Kiser revealed that he had met Acton several years prior while he was working at a hotel in Cincinnati. He recalls bringing her breakfast to her room, noting that her voice sounded familiar from the pandemic and that he looked forward to listening to her each day.
Kiser shared that during their meeting, Acton was incredibly kind and took time to record a video for his partner Kristin’s milestone birthday. This interaction is now a memory of a public health servant who faced adversity as a kid and made it out alive still believing things could be better.
The Americana genre, which Carriers inhabits, often serves as a mirror for these shifts. When an artist like Kiser chooses to cover such a piece, it is a statement about the emotional climate of the region and the nation.
The Calculus of Hope in a Divided Landscape
The hope generated by Acton’s victory is a factor in the conversation about American governance. Acton’s background as a public health servant, as cited by Kiser, is an emphasis on the human element.
The victory signals that for some Ohio voters, the narrative of change is finally becoming reality. This willingness to support a candidate who represents a change in philosophy—from pure political maneuvering to public service—is what Kiser celebrates.
Carriers’ Interpretation: The Sound of Political Change
The comparison between Carriers’ take on “Look At Miss Ohio” and the original recording by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings is an emotional inflection. Kiser’s stated belief in the song’s power—that it is “sad, but powerful. Kinda how we’re all feeling right now”—encapsulates the zeitgeist. The win for Acton is framed as a win for all of us.
The music, in this context, captures the anticipation, the relief, and the hope of a community watching history unfold. As Kiser expressed, the healing, as Acton herself declared, “begins today.” This moment in Ohio, reflected through the lens of a psychedelic Americana cover, represents a potential pivot point for the state and a belief in a better future.
