Over the last year, Ruston Kelly has rapidly transformed from a critically-acclaimed rising star to a household name. During that time, conversations about Kelly have taken two paths— redemption is always topic number one. Skim his bio, listen to any of his songs, leaf through a couple of tabloids, and the stories quickly reveal that... Continue Reading →
Album Review: Strong Water – Bearfoot
From the very first notes of “Tuscarora,” the opening track of Strong Water’s latest album Bearfoot, we sonically soar through the verdant Virginia landscape that the band calls home. With stretches of singing fiddle and bubbling banjo rolls, the band puts down their proverbial kickstand in the inclusive soil of the Americana landscape with resolve... Continue Reading →
Album Review: VON GREY – In Bloom EP
It's a common understanding that the strongest trees have the deepest roots--in their new EP In Bloom, folk-pop trio VON GREY celebrates their acoustic roots and spreads their wings of independence. The six-song gem features new tunes and breathes life into previously-released ones, all anchored by the sisters’ signature blood harmony, stringed mastery, and gut-punching lyricism. ... Continue Reading →
Album Review: American Aquarium – Things Change
When American Aquarium releases new recordings every couple of years, the bulk of their songs often come straight from the observations and life experiences of lead singer BJ Barham. In their upcoming June 1st release Things Change, that fact garners even more credence. You see, the American Aquarium that many of their fans knew no... Continue Reading →
Album Review: John Calvin Abney – Coyote
John Calvin Abney’s new album Coyote is a diverse offering of densely literate musicianship and catchy lyricism with a thoughtful approach—blending the bygone era with a healthy dash of modernity. Abney, who comes further into his own as the mature melodic composer we glimpsed in 2016’s Far Cries and Close Calls, takes a barge down narrow straits using finely-painted... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Hugh Masterson
Hugh Masterson is a wonder--that was my impression after seeing him perform at Portland’s Mississippi Studios recently. This Wisconsin-born Nashville resident handily won the crowd’s hearts and souls with his road-worn brand of Americana. Touring with the venerable Lindi Ortega to showcase his debut EP, Lost + Found, Masterson took us with him through his... Continue Reading →
Album Review: Great Peacock – Gran Pavo Real
Anthemic acoustic guitar riffs mixed with contemplative finger-picked melodies. Lyrics spanning from reflective to whiskey-drunk. Dramatic vocal builds alongside gentle harmonies. Waves of folk crashing against shoals of rock and blues. Together, these traits define both the heart of Americana music as well as the soul of Great Peacock’s new album, Gran Pavo Real. It... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Lisa LeBlanc
Lisa LeBlanc, rockicana shredder and master of all things stringed, played her first headlining show in Nashville recently, appearing in the upstairs lounge of the City Winery. There were four players, a drum kit, microphones decorated with strings of lights in the shapes of lobsters, flamingos, and lemony yellow circles, and a music store’s worth... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Ron Pope
Ron Pope’s voice sinks into your soul, digging deep to set up camp as it attaches and winds itself around the heartstrings. Through his earlier works into his recent album Work and its companion EP Worktapes, he continues to be the torchbearer of the independent music scene as he vigilantly brings his sound to the... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Banditos
I always think of East Nashville as the Music City’s melting pot of artistic talent. Nashville is where you see a punk rocker, a gospel singer, and a country legend walk into a bar…and it’s not the beginning of a corny joke. Often, the musical influences remain separate; an indie rock concert here, a country... Continue Reading →