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 →
MCP Picks: The Best Albums of 2017
With the new year knocking at our door and calling us forward, we can't forget all the goodness that 2017 had to offer--maybe not so much culturally or politically, but there were definitely some damn fine albums released this year. MCP highlights ten releases that made an indelible impression on us--drum roll please! Andrew Combs... Continue Reading →
Off The Stage: JD McPherson
For most casual fans of music, the forty-five minutes that a band spends on the stage is all they can see. However, when the guitar cases are closed and the venue’s floor is littered with empty beer cans and trash, most bands load their gear into the van and return back to their normal lives.... Continue Reading →
Pew Playlist: 3 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar, 10/27/17
Animal Years - Far From Home Brooklyn-by-way-of-Baltimore pop rockicana trio Animal Years released their new EP today via eOne Records, a follow up to their acclaimed debut Sun Will Rise. Produced by Ryan Hadlock, renowned for his work with The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile and Vance Joy, Far From Home houses five life-affirming fist-pumpers that are a guilty pleasure... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: JD McPherson Record Release
The intensity of a show in a record store is much more than I imagined. So close to the band. So loud. So amazing! For those of us that remember when record store showings were more common, the word “treat” doesn’t begin to describe what a fantastic opportunity this was. Realizing that today, fantastic record... Continue Reading →
Interview: Lilly Hiatt
Lilly Hiatt is no stranger to vulnerability, and uses it to build connections to those who listen to her heartfelt brand of rockicana. The twangy songstress is gearing up to release her intensely personal, autobiographical album, Trinity Lane, via New West Records on August 25th. Written mostly upon her return from a cross-country tour, Hiatt... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Andrew Combs
Take me home country roads, for I have never been so homesick for the South as after seeing Andrew Combs last night at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon. After I obsessively listened to his music over the last two months, I was anxiously waiting to see this performance by the man from Nashville that could... Continue Reading →
MCP Sessions: Sammy Brue -“I Know”
Poetic troubadour and finger-picking wunderkind Sammy Brue is set to release his debut album, I Am Nice, on June 16th via New West Records. The 12-song set was produced by John Paul White of the Civil Wars and Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes and recorded at their Sun Drop Sound studio in Florence, Alabama. A native... Continue Reading →
Interview: Daniel Romano
Daniel Romano is irritated with the monarchy. “I had so many things I wanted to do today,” laughs the native Canadian, whose to-do list is being seriously impeded by the celebration of the government holiday Victoria Day, though it’s hard to believe much would slow him down. Romano recently released his latest album, Modern Pressure,... Continue Reading →
MCP Sessions: Justin Townes Earle – “What’s She Crying For”
After a decade-long career as an artist, seasoned performer Justin Townes Earle is in the midst of experiencing several "firsts"-- on May 26th, Earle will release his New West Records debut Kids In The Street, which marks his first time working with an outside producer on his first album recorded outside of Nashville. It's also his first... Continue Reading →