Delicate-yet-expressive vocals are set beautifully to an acoustic melody full of playful banjo and building strings. With a dreamy folk haze, summer sensations are synthesized into song on “This Year Be,” the latest from Bend, Oregon’s Left Vessel. Continue Reading
Authenticity can be gleaned from a singer’s delivery. You can often tell if the words have personal meaning to the artist, rather than simply being text set to music, which is exactly what Ashley Riley was able to capture on her latest album, Set You Free. Thanks to her always expressive, often aching, sometimes raw, vocal delivery, she leaves no doubt we’re getting the real deal. Continue Reading
The muddy rocker, “Come On Home To Yourself,” features a complete taste of the delta from its swampy electric guitar riffs to Kline’s straight from the heart, soulful vocals. Continue Reading
On “Thank You,” The Ladles, showcase their mastery of the art of three-part harmonies. The song feels like a spontaneous flow of appreciation. It’s well balanced—a gentle current of banjo keeps the song minimal behind the vocals, but lush fiddle and acoustic guitar builds throughout. Continue Reading
There are a handful of tried-and-true words we use when talking about music. Introspective, reflective, and musing quickly come to mind. Usually these words are paired with ominous, brooding, or melancholy. One might think that artists remain in a constant… Continue Reading