From the first notes of Matt Campbell's "The Night I Found Jesus (Down at Robert's Western World)," the imagination fills with images of a charismatic, road-worn troubadour, one like Woody Guthrie, strapped with an acoustic guitar and some scuffed-up boots, who steps up onto a table in a crowded room, and grabs everyone's attention... Continue Reading →
Interview: Sons of Bill
"My dad was a musician and a songwriter. He was also a professor. He was a shy, introverted man who was blessed, and cursed, with six kids. He didn't get all that necessary alone time that I knew he needed. He would get up at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning while everybody still sleeping... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Carnival Barker” by Vanessa Peters
History repeats itself, and Dallas-based folk-rocker Vanessa Peters reached back into it to find the perfect metaphor to embody her timely new tune "Carnival Barker," the new single from her forthcoming album Foxhole Prayers, out October 5th via Idol Records. "I wanted to use the 1920s and '30s as a reference point for where we... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “French Braid” by Besides Daniel
"'French Braid' is a vivid confession," says Danny Brewer, the creative force behind Georgia-based alt-folk outfit Besides Daniel, of the band's new single. A boundless chorus and kinetic verses weave a backdrop while trembling lyrics gush "I will peel back the crust of the earth, I will dive in.” Written over a five-year period, "French Braid,"... Continue Reading →
“The Addict” – New Music from Lyman Ellerman
"Call me an addict," sings Lyman Ellerman--the first words of his recent aptly-titled single "The Addict" which lay all the cards on the table. Dedicated to his late son, who struggled much of his adult life with drug addiction, Ellerman recalls a conversation the two had before his passing; “At the time, he was using... 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 →
Premiere: “Letters” by Bobcat Rob & The Nightly Howl
Santa Cruz, California based Bobcat Rob & The Nightly Howl will release their forthcoming LP A Different Horse on September 14th. Housing twelve roots-infused songs that showcase a range of emotion. From folky contemplations to bluesy rockers, A Different Horse encapsulates the broad facets of the Americana genre. Today, the band unleashes its new single, “Letters,” a dust-tinged tune... Continue Reading →
Interview: Charlie Overbey
Charlie Overbey has done a lot of living; from making music about his many experiences to repurposing vintage beaver pelts to create his own brand of designer hats, he knows a thing or two about second chances. “Oh, man, I've lived 150 lifetimes,” he says with a laugh. “I've been to prison. I've lived in... Continue Reading →
“Break In The Ether” – New Music from Jared & The Mill
Poets paint love as a wild, untamable thing. Falling in love is out of our control, something that doesn't stop at traffic lights and doesn't always follow the speed limit. Arizona folk-rock outfit Jared & The Mill explores the precarious nature of falling and staying in love in their song "Break In The Ether." Longing... Continue Reading →
Premiere: “Timberline” by The Mallett Brothers Band
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 →