Your Front Row Seat To Americana Music
John Craigie, self-described class clown, observational humorist, and folky singer of stories, will release his new album, No Rain, No Rose, on January 27th—a follow-up and sonic contrast to his last studio effort, Working On My Farewell. The California native relocated to Portland a couple of years ago, after a long stint on the road... Continue Reading →
Alt-country outfit Vandoliers blend Texas two-stepping country rock with touches of Tejano and mariachi—and throw a little rowdy punk rock in for added flavor. “The punk is my fault,” laughs frontman Joshua "Fireball" Fleming. “I was in a punk band for a long time. When you’re in a three-piece band, it can get a little volatile,... Continue Reading →
Dustbowl Revival - Busted After two years away from the studio playing festivals and shows around the world, The Dustbowl Revival is sharing its first two tracks from their forthcoming new record with a 7" out today via Signature Sounds. The A-side is the soulful "Busted", which flexes the band’s more modern instrumental evolution, using traditional folk instruments and putting them through wah-peddles... Continue Reading →
Nashville’s atmosphere shifted about a year ago, and I couldn’t really put a finger on why it felt just a little off—but then I realized that Nashville-based purveyor of “dad country”, Jonny Fritz, has been in Los Angeles for the last year. That explains it. Musician, leathersmith, nude model—don’t worry, we’ll come back to this—Fritz... Continue Reading →
Singer/songwriter Luke Roberts has one hell of a story; “I was raised in a cult,” he begins, much to my surprise. “In the late 70s and early 80s, there were three blocks of houses in my East Nashville neighborhood owned by people who all went to the same church, it was like city commune. Around... Continue Reading →
With his rich, velvety voice, Cajun crooner Courtney Granger calls to mind country greats like Hank Williams and George Jones, whose high and lonesome wails and honky-tonk shuffles became the stuff of legend. The Grammy-nominated Granger grew up singing along to jukebox country records in the local dancehalls of his Louisiana Bayou hometown, and he brilliantly... Continue Reading →
Alt-country rocker Becky Warren credits her late father for instilling in her a love of music, and Lucinda Williams for inspiring her style. “After he died, I heard Lucinda Williams for the first time, and it reminded me of the music he loved while growing up in rural Virginia,” recalls Warren. “I felt like her... Continue Reading →
“It’s hard to lose your home, it’s hard to lose your identity as a provider or as a husband—there were all these things I equated with myself,” says industry veteran Glen Phillips of the inspiration behind his long-awaited solo album, Swallowed By The New, due for release on October 7th. “I stayed away from other... Continue Reading →
North Carolina duo Mandolin Orange, who combine simplistic melodies with complex lyricism, are set to release their fourth studio album, Blindfaller, on September 30th via Yep Roc Records. Building a musical foundation based upon the long-established sounds of roots music, members Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz are keeping the musical traditions of the Appalachian mountain range... Continue Reading →
In a year of phenomenal releases from folks like Sturgill Simpson, Austin Lucas, and Caleb Caudle, just to name a few, it seems just plain lazy to utter an attack on country music. Sure, commercial country may be nothing more than jingles or dance club cuts, but, if you spend any time looking around, it... Continue Reading →