The rapidly growing fanbase of Drayton Farley is about to need to put a double-decker on the bandwagon. Farley will be releasing “Twenty on High” via Hargrove Records/Thirty Tigers on March 3rd. Up until now his records have been one man DIY releases. However, that hasn’t stopped him from amassing millions of streams on Spotify […]
Chip’s Best of Americana 2022
First off, year-end lists are hard to do. Especially rank ordering, which becomes murky as you proceed down the list. That being said number one was a no brainer for me. Marcus King’s “Young Blood” was addictive start to finish with his blues-tinged 70’s arena rock. Below is the rest of my list: 2. Old […]
Drayton Farley – Walk Home
Before I get into his excellent new EP, let me reflect on the near meteoric rise of singer-songwriter Drayton Farley. His is a true DIY story and proof that talent, not publicists, sometimes win the day. He started out recording in his home studio with no publicists or street team and no label. He persists […]
Marcus King “Young Blood”
Marcus King has gone to the arena on his new album “Young Blood”. The Blues and Soul are still there, but they take a back seat to 70’s Hard Rock. This album shows influences of Free, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath and Bad Company. This is an arena sized album. King and producer Dan Auerbach (Black […]
Aaron Skiles – Wreckage from the Fire
It is always nice to unearth a hidden gem from an under the radar artist. Aaron Skiles is a Bay area musician and former front man of Bourbon Therapy. His new solo album, “Wreckage from the Fire”, was co-produced and co-written by Matt Patton, bass player for the Drive-By Truckers. For the project, Patton assembled […]
Cactus Blossoms – One Day
They call it blood harmony. It is that special coherent blend that siblings can attain when they harmonize. In the case of The Cactus Blossoms, comparisons are abundant to the Everly Brothers. However, sometimes the obvious is the most apropos. The blend of their vocals seems effortless and gives each song a comfortable, smooth vibe […]
Greensky Bluegrass – Stress Dreams
Greensky Bluegrass will be releasing their new album “Stress Dreams” Friday January 21. It is a vibrant high charged album that almost ignores the fact that we have been in a pandemic. Not that they are in denial, and in fact some lyrics address separation and loneliness. However, the arrangements emanate positive vibes as is […]
Stash – Walk the Walk
Stash is an all-star group from the West Coast roots rock scene. They will be releasing their excellent album “Walk the Walk” on November 5th. Born out of the pandemic the album should not be this much fun. Thankfully it is an eclectic Rock N’ Roll gem that I have had on repeat since getting […]
Tim Easton – You Don’t Really Know Me
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tim Easton is releasing his new album, “You Don’t Really Know Meâ€, tomorrow August 27th. It is no doubt some of his finest work, which is saying a lot for someone with a highly acclaimed 20-year career under his belt. It is also his most personal album. Although it seems trite to call […]
Tylor and the Train Robbers -Non-Typical Find
Tylor and the Train Robbers are a family band that has toured relentlessly and been their own producers over two previous studio albums. Then, faster than you can say “pandemicâ€, things changed. Suddenly they were off the road and had a chance rethink their approach in their native Boise, Idaho. First hey jumped head first […]