“I grew up listening to a lot of folk music, inspired by song leaders—those people who can stand up with a guitar and get people to sing, like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie,” says singer/songwriter Josh Lovelace, who is well-known as the keyboardist for Grammy-nominated anthemic folk rock band NEEDTOBREATHE, currently recording their seventh album... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Brother” by The Promise Is Hope
"Growing up an only child in a divorced home, I had to find family in communities outside of my house. Friends became like brothers & sisters, and this song is about the journey of one of those brothers,” explains Ashley L’Esperance, one-half of folk outfit The Promise Is Hope of their new single, “Brother.” “He... 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 →
Interview: Daniel Daniel
“If you’re a songwriter, it will find you. It blooms early for some and late for others. When I found it, there was no turning back,” says Nashville-based folkster Daniel Daniel. “There are some people who are perfectly content with the white picket fence and a summer home, making egg salad on the weekends, and it’s... Continue Reading →
Video Premiere: “Sweet Thursday” by Janie Barnett ft. Blue Room
Virginia native Janie Barnett cut her teeth on bluegrass festivals, church coffeehouses, and the American Folklife Festival. When she met iconic Americana barnstormer and newgrass pioneer John Hartford at Folklife, so began her love affair with the alternate roots movement. Always dancing along outside-of-the-box boundaries, Barnett found her place in New York City, making a... Continue Reading →
“Please Don’t Leave Me Like This” – New Music from Edward + Jane
It goes without saying that feelings are complicated things; even the idea of discussing them strikes fear in the hearts of the strongest. While words may fail to adequately describe an emotion itself, its effects are far-reaching and most of the time, unforgettable. Feelings have the ability to connect us to others in powerful ways,... Continue Reading →
Video Premiere: “Waiting For Change” by Emily Mure
On her recently-released album Worth, New York City-based folkster Emily Mure sings of a journey of personal healing. With an ethereal voice that could quiet the noisiest room, Mure delivers the poignantly personal in the most relatable of ways. Ahead of her upcoming appearance at this year’s Folk Alliance International Conference, she unleashes the video... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: The Lumineers
When you finally get a chance to see a group you’ve liked for years perform live for the first time, the excitement and anticipation is next level. You spend more time getting ready. You rush your friends out the door so you’re sure to get a good vantage point. You’re amped the minute you walk... Continue Reading →
Album Review: The Oh Hellos – Notos EP
It’s so refreshing when artists challenge themselves to push the boundaries of their previous work, when you can’t help but know that each word, phrase, and musical note is carefully crafted and precisely placed. Siblings Tyler and Maggie Heath, who together are folkicana duo The Oh Hellos, have taken intelligent creativity to a new level... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: The Contenders
Part listening room, part laid-back, boozy music club, Nashville’s The Basement was the perfect place for me to get to know The Contenders. Featuring two seasoned vets of the music scene--Jay Nash on guitar and Josh Day on drums--the Americana-Folk duo shared a slate of lyrical tales that can only come from the perspective of... Continue Reading →