One of the things I find so intriguing about music is how an artist, citing the same influences as their peers, can nonetheless produce a totally unique sound. Current Nashville residents Adrian + Meredith exemplify that on their latest album, Bad For Business. Listing unsurprising inspirations like Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, the […]
AJ Lee & Blue Summit – I’ll Come Back
Although not as well known as what’s happening in the Rockies or Appalachians, there’s a strong bluegrass scene in the northern California Bay Area. The most famous product of that community right now is undoubtedly Molly Tuttle. But there are several other emerging talents, notably AJ Lee and her band, Blue Summit. In fact, Lee […]
Joe Troop – Borrowed Time
After being nominated for a Grammy in early 2020 for the debut album of his group, Che Apalache, Joe Troop had plans. When the pandemic hit, though, he pivoted to work alongside the everyday heroes he writes songs about, most notably a migrant assistance program on the border with Mexico. In his spare time he […]
Ryan Curtis – Rust Belt Broken Heart
A few weeks ago I reviewed the Jeremy James Meyer album that had been recorded at the OK Theater in Enterprise, OR. Not long after, another release crossed my earbuds that was recorded there. The first solo effort from Boise resident Ryan Curtis, it also seems blessed with some magic from that venue. Entitled Rust […]
Herrick Song Premiere – Old Bridges
Personal lives in the music business can take a back seat to the music itself, so there tends to be plenty of material for the classic country music break-up song. Running against the current of that are husband and wife Donna and Kerry Herrick, known collectively as the band Herrick. Theirs is a story of […]
I See Hawks In L.A. – On Our Way
There’s an otherworldliness that inhabits the deserts of California. It’s not just the inhospitable environment, it’s also a sense of realness that comes to the improbable. From the conspiracy theorists outside China Lake to the mystics in Joshua Tree, some of the inhabitants embrace that difference in life. With their roots in the high desert […]
Cashavelly Morrison – Metamorphosis
Someone once said, maybe it was Ray Wylie Hubbard, that, “good poets didn’t have good childhoods.” I don’t know about her childhood, but Cashavelly Morrison has had her share of traumatic experiences and the emotional journey of acceptance is reflected in her new album, Metamorphosis. Morrison started her professional career as a dancer, but after […]
Jacob Groopman – Through the Gates
I love it when musicians do musical side projects. It usually means they’re passionate enough about something they’ve made time for it despite all the other demands for their attention, and the result generally reflects that passion. Such is the case with the album from Front Country multi-instrumentalist guitar player Jacob Groopman, entitled Through the […]
Curtis Grimes Premiere – Miles Don’t Matter
My preferences in country music tend to lean to gravelly voices over a Bakersfield beat. Every now and then I come across a velvet voice and mainstream country sound that restores a little of my faith in the hits side of country music. Such was the case with Curtis Grimes. You could fill an entire […]
Nobody’s Girl – Nobody’s Girl
Back in 2017 three friends (BettySoo, Grace Pettis & Rebecca Loebe) decided to do a tour together as set of singer-songwriters, you know, just a few weeks, a one-time shot. Long story short, they had so much fun the trio decided to temporarily set aside their personal projects and form a group, Nobody’s Girl. They […]