In 2000, award-winning singer-songwriter Michael Braunfeld hung up his guitar and stopped making music to focus on his family; after his years-long hiatus, Braunfeld began to rebuild his career from scratch and released two EPs followed by a live album, Full Circle, in 2015. On March 22nd, Braunfeld unveiled Driver, an expansive 13-song set that he... Continue Reading →
Queens of The Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender: Nikki Lane
Last Friday Night at the Nashville Boogie Weekender was a royal affair featuring both the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, and the Queen of Outlaw Country, Nikki Lane. After soaking in a fabulous performance from Ms. Jackson, I was on the run to the Nashville Palace Stage for Lane's rocking country barn-burner. Luckily, the party... Continue Reading →
Review: Sarah Vista at The Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender
It happens every time I go to a music festival. Every. Single. Time. It’s also one of my top reasons for going to festivals—there’s always that artist that jumps out at me and makes me ask, “why am I just learning about this person? Why don’t I have these songs on repeat at home?” At... Continue Reading →
Pew Playlist: 3 Albums That Should Be On Your Radar, 4/7/17
Craig Brown Band--The Lucky Ones Forget Detroit's Craig Brown released his debut full-length via Third Man Records (SWOON), and it's a countrified hum-dinger. Equal parts honky-tonk hillbilly and dive bar derelict, Brown has crafted a rock and pedal steel-infused collection of barroom punkicana that will surely delight showgoers of all ages. The Company Stores--Little Lights... Continue Reading →
Interview: Boo Ray
“I moved to Nashville with a girl so she could join the roller derby,” declares Boo Ray, in probably the best statement ever uttered at the beginning of an interview. The North Carolina-bred countrified rocker, who splits his time between both sides of the country, calls the Music City home base. Making rowdy records that... Continue Reading →
Album Review: Nikki Lane – Highway Queen
In this era of manufactured blonde Barbie Doll country queens, the landscape is crying out for authenticity and truth. Nikki Lane has answered that call. With her third album, Highway Queen, set for release on February 17th via New West Records, Lane bares her soul. In the grand tradition of the lauded female pioneers of... Continue Reading →
Review: Sturgill Simpson at The Ryman Auditorium
Few, if any, musical experiences that I have had in my years of attending concerts were quite like what I experienced recently at the historic Ryman Auditorium; there was something different in the air during the second evening of Sturgill Simpson’s two night stand at the mother church. When the attendant escorted me to my... Continue Reading →
Album Review: Yarn – This Is The Year
The only sure thing is change, some say; some also say there’s a season for everything. North Carolina-based Americountry outfit Yarn says this is the season for change, and have chronicled it on their scrumptious new album, This Is The Year, set for release on May 27th. “Oh Carolina, won’t you rescue my heart/It’s barely... Continue Reading →
Interview: Willa Rae & The Minor Arcana
When one thinks of the Detroit music scene, garage rock is generally what comes to mind. Not so in the case of Americana outfit Willa Rae & The Minor Arcana. “There’s a home for any kind of music you want to play in Detroit; there’s a huge garage rock scene here, but there are country... Continue Reading →