Rowdy roots rockers The Mallett Brothers Band have a new album on the way—Vive L’Acadie!— and are unleashing a new single, “Timberline (High Times)” today. The song is a road-worn rocker, barely contained as it barrels down a dusty musical road. “Timberline,” a hopeful song about struggles faced by returning veterans, was written lakeside on... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Mole Hills” by Baerd
Recorded in May 2017 in the mountain town of Hope, Idaho, Boston folk outfit Baerd’s forthcoming album Crete is steeped in elusive but firm folk sensibilities and pushes beyond the sonic boundaries of their previous releases. Today, the band unleashes "Mole Hills," inspired by frontman Isaiah Beard's reflection on his personal growth. "It is a... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “A Hole In My Grave” by Chuck Westmoreland
It’s been said that knowledge is limited, but imagination circles the world. Portland-based alt-country artist Chuck Westmoreland has taken the best of both and bent them to his will. The proud owner of Portland bar The Red Fox, which he compares to the creepy watering holes of Twin Peaks, Westmoreland weaves his sonic stories from... Continue Reading →
Video Premiere: “Dixie Crystals” by Ben de la Cour
Storyteller. It’s a word that is bandied about incessantly in the Americana world-- understandably so, since Americana music has become the alternative to mainstream country, where it’s okay for envelopes to be pushed, for taboos to be explored, and for societal norms to be called into question. Some fall short of the title; Nashville-based troubadour... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “This House” by Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets
It’s been said that home is where the heart is, and that’s exactly what Wisconsin-based trio Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets explore in their new single “This House,” a song from their forthcoming album Lean, out June 1st. "'This House' is a song about how a home is not made up of nails and bricks,... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Amen” by The Dryes
“I met him singing in the church choir/lit up my heart like that holy fire,” confesses Katelyn Drye, one-half of Nashville-by-way-of-North Carolina husband-wife country duo The Dryes, in the pair’s debut single, “Amen.” Searing guitar licks, slinky groove, and an army of backing vocals provide a firm foundation for lyrical cleverness—using church-y references to describe, and... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Blue Eyes Don’t Fail Me Now” by Jake Winstrom
“You’re coming to a fork in the road, how will you choose?” sings folkicana songcrafter Jake Winstrom in his new single, “Blue Eyes Don’t Fail Me Now.” With bright fiddle licks that match sweetly executed harmonies, it’s hard not to be won over by Winstrom and his jangly new tune. “I’m embarrassed to admit I... Continue Reading →
Video Premiere: “Turn Around” by Frank Viele
Frank Viele, who until now has been New England’s songwriting secret weapon, recently released his new album, What’s His Name?, featuring a blend of blues-tinged gut-punchers flavored with searing slide guitar licks and his signature rasp and growl. Today, Viele unleashes an in-studio video of album track “Turn Around.”I wrote ‘Turn Around’ on a plane ride to the... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Dance With Me” by Karen Jonas
"Nobody told me that life would be so hard," Karen Jonas sings as she makes the understatement of the century in her new single "Dance With Me," featured on her new album Butter, set for release on June 1st. "Dance With Me" is an invitation to the listener to participate, to "step down from the mansion... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Rampages Eastward” by Red Steppes
"When I wrote ‘Rampages Eastward’ I was renting an old converted porch in East Oakland as a bedroom for $350 a month,” says Nika States, who makes music under the moniker Red Steppes. “It was barely 6'x8' with walls made of barred windows, freezing at night and stifling as soon as the sun came up,... Continue Reading →