-Harriett

First cousins Bryan Russo and Christopher Shearer, the duo known as Boys Called Susan, released their outstanding debut album, Pennsyltucky, on October 26th.  It’s a project born from shared grief and individual promises made to a dying woman, Shearer’s mother and Russo’s aunt, Susan Knudson. Both men have extensive backgrounds in music (Russo as a singer-songwriter and Shearer as a multi instrumentalist, audio engineer and producer) and they showcase their talents with rhythm and blues infused roots music with an abundance of soul and heart.

Pennsyltucky starts strong with the up-tempo “Slumlords of Paradise”, a wry reflection on the curveballs life dishes out even in the best of times and the necessity of taking the high road in some situations. The concept of facing hardships continues in a most poignant way with the lovely “Unfinished Symphony” which explores the struggle of carrying on in a world that no longer makes sense following the death of a partner. In contrast to “Unfinished Symphony”, a couple lives an opposite reality in “Pretty Pantomime”, a country tinged tale of carrying on in a bad relationship – "Cause honey I’ve grown tired of cursing the stars that shine. Going through the motions just to try to feel alright. ‘Cause honey I get lost, oh so lost, in your rattlesnake eyes. Oh just waltz with me through this pretty pantomime.”

The first single from Pennsyltucky is “Company Man”. It’s a salute to blue collar workers who show up and do their less than ideal jobs to make sure the bills get paid and food makes it to their tables. The steady, driving percussion serves as a sonic portrayal of the hustle and dedication required while “Girl From Pennsyltucky” looks at the hardships of leaving a piece of your heart behind in pursuit of your dreams.

A message of unity is expressed on “The Home Team” which stresses the need for seeking out the things we have in common during this divisive time for our society. The final track, “Heaven Knows” has the fitting sound of a gospel/spiritual and is a lesson in accepting the universality of adversity and finding a path by choosing to focus on the positive because with most good things there’s always “a little bit of hell to pay.” 

With Pennsyltucky, Russo and Shearer deliver on the promise to Susan to combine their talents to make “music that matters.” Pennsyltucky serves up slices of life – the dreams, temptations, struggles and stumbles – with a cohesive message of perseverance and hope which mirrors the compelling back story of Boys Called Susan.  

​Visit the website at www.boyscalledsusan.com for more info on the duo as well as links to purchase the album         

-Harriett

​After performing in Nashville at a John Prine tribute show, Lauren Morrow and her husband Jason, both formerly with The Whiskey Gentry, decided to sell their Georgia home and move to Music City to begin a new musical direction; one focused on Lauren as a solo artist.  The result is a four song, self-titled EP released October 12th.  While many critics fail to give EPs due credit, Morrow is proving that such a release can still pack a powerful punch.    

The project opens with “Viki Lynn” an up-tempo homage to a women’s life told from the perspective of her now adult daughter. Things slow and soften on the second track, “I Don’t Think  About You At All”, a clever take on the old adage that the opposite of love is not hate, but apathy.  The easy drawl of pedal steel serves as the perfect backdrop.

“Mess Around” is relatable to anyone who has learned to keep a watchful eye on people who portray themselves as friends but may not have your best interest at heart.  Morrow  closes strong with “Barbara Jean”, a classic country tale of a relationship gone sour but with a mysterious twist.

A singer’s singer, Lauren Morrow delivers with flawless vocals full of emotion. As a lyricist, she brings a fresh perspective to themes common in country, roots and bluegrass music. Visit her website at www.laurenmorrow.com to find upcoming shows and links to purchase this stellar release that is sure to leave you hungry for more.        

Born in the UK, Katy Hurt spent some of her youth growing up on Long Island, NY before moving back to England where she brought her love of country, including Patsy Cline and Rascal Flatts, with her. 

From her upcoming EP, Unfinished Business, the infectious, and highly relatable, pop-country track "See Ya Later" is a contemporary female anthem for those experiencing dating in the swipe right climate.

Now you’re insistent
That you’re committed
To do what it takes to win my hand
But you’ll let it go
As soon as you know
That I’m calling you my man
I’ve been there before picking up the pieces
For my friends who let themselves believe those
Baby’s but oh baby there's no maybes

For more information visit HERE

-Harriett

Texas singer-songwriter William Clark Green has his fifth studio album, Hebert Island, set to release on August tenth. It follows his excellent 2015 outing, Ringling Road, and 2016’s fan favorite live album Live At Gruene Hall.  Green retains his signature roots rock sound (which has always been heavy on the rock side of the equation) but keeps it fresh and interesting by placing a bit more emphasis on the roots side on Hebert Island. He is consistently an excellent writer with the ability to engage the listener with relatable stories relayed with ease and poetic elegance and you’ll find no exception in the 14 tracks included here.

The title track kicks thing off with a fast paced, Cajun-injected ode to campfires, whiskey and leaving stress behind followed by the album’s first single, “Hit You Where It Hurts”. It’s a fist- in- the- air anthem for anyone who has ever been jilted by a lover and finds the hurt turning to thoughts of revenge. “Goner” contemplates why things went wrong and owning up to shortcomings -  “I’m a dreamer, an under-thinker, an over-drinker, I’m getting meaner. I’m a fall- in- lover, a  bridge burner. I ‘m never ever gonna learn.”  The rose colored filter of new love is replaced with the acknowledgment of the hard work involved in maintaining a long term relationships on “This Is Us”.   

Hebert Island slows and softens on the final three outstanding songs which are more acoustic and deeply vulnerable. “If You Ask Me To” expresses the longing and desire to be and to do whatever it takes to make things work while “I Miss You” explores the pain of a breakup – “I miss your hair on the pillow, perfume in the air. I miss coming home to work to your shoes everwhere.” The album closes with a track that may find its way to many 2018 “best of” lists, “Mother”, a touching tribute to the woman who has “always been my better half” and has been there “from busted knees to broken hearts.”
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Thematically, Green digs deep to mine the gold in the people, places and experiences that shape us all and he does it well. You can find out how to order Hebert Island and where you can catch a show at www.williamclarkgreen.com  

-Harriett

Honing his craft since he was eight years old, singer-songwriter Tyller Gummersall grabbed the ears of traditional country fans and critics alike with the release of his third studio album, Long Ride Home, in 2016.  The record deftly filled the gap between modern mainstream country and more Americana- leaning offerings.  He’s recently been back in the studio in Nashville and has a new single, “Heartbreak College” and fans of his previous releases will not be disappointed.

Everything about “Heartbreak College” is bona fide country. The smooth, lilting twang of guitar lends itself to grabbing a partner for a round of Two-Stepping on the dance floor while the relatable lyrics lend themselves to grabbing a buddy and raising a glass in solidarity to learning love’s lessons the hard way.
 
“I was in your shape yesterday. I’m familiar with that brand of tear-stained smile. You gain a whole lot of knowledge, when you graduate from Heartbreak College. I was in your shape just yesterday. There’s a class on which glass is best for washing tears away. The professors all have common names like Jack, Jim and Jose.”

To learn more about the artist and his music, visit his website HERE.     

-Harriett

In the fall of 2018, Massachusetts based band the Daybreakers plan to release a concept album revolving around the story of a struggling band deciding to call it quits. There should be plenty of songwriting material to mine as the band, led by Kyle Murphy (lead vocals and guitar) and Matt Schairer (bassist) paid their dues developing their root rock sound in small clubs in the early years.

“Take Two”, the first single from the project finds the lead singer of the fictitious band pondering his future on the night of the band’s final show. From the engaging drum intro that melts into swampy guitar riffs, driving horns and strong vocals the song is infectious, making it impossible to sit still while listening. The writing is equally compelling as it conveys the bittersweet experience of leaving a dream behind.
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“Tired of making no damn money,  calling it a hippie dream.  Tired of telling you I’m sorry, knowing what it doesn’t mean. You don’t have to wait much longer, I ain’t gonna let you down. Know this dream is harmless as long as you make it out.”

As you wait for their fall album release, you can follow the Daybreakers for updates on the band, their music and their shows on their website at www.daybreakersband.com 

-Harriett

Kansas native, and current Nashville resident, Erik Dylan made quite the positive impression on critics and music fans alike with his May 2016 release, Heart of a Flatland Boy. Two years later, the singer-songwriter has released his sophomore album, Baseball on the Moon. Produced by Dylan himself, the 13 track country/roots rock collection features electric guitars, drums and flourishes of steel guitar as the vehicle for the delivery of well written, relatable songs.
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The title track, featuring Luke Combs, is a lovely, uplifting lesson on never letting go of your dreams and never letting detractors keep you from aiming high because “your want-to, got-to’s gotta be bigger than your givin’ up.” The theme of hopes and dreams recurs on “Someday” where Dylan, along with Steve Earle, sings of working at the gas station by the interstate, counting the out-of-state license plates and planning his way out.

Stories of small town America are approached with more originality than many have come to expect from modern country music on “Funerals & Football Games” about putting on your game face while coping with hardship and the defiant “Ain’t My Town” which bucks against the stereotypical depictions of rural towns and their people. Erik Dylan is a gifted wordsmith and obviously in touch with grit and perseverance but where Baseball on the Moon shines most brightly is when the writing focuses on the vulnerability of people dealing with what life has offered up. 

“13th Floor” is a gripping, compelling depiction of the place we hide bad luck, our pain, and regrets, or as Dylan says, “the ghosts draggin’ those chains around.” The inevitability of losing your independence to old age is beautifully explored on “When They Take Your Truck” while the persistent chains of racism that continue to enslave us as a nation are boldly confronted on “Color Blind”.   

The final track is as powerful as it is timely. “Honest Work” features the story of a young woman who left her family and came to the United States in search of the same thing that brought our ancestors here - the promise of a better life.  Asking little but the opportunity to do an honest day’s work, she finds herself discouraged by a lack of acceptance even though “She cleans your house and tends your kids and helps you live the life you’re living at half the price/Well ain’t that nice?"

With Baseball on the Moon, Erik Dylan proves he had no intention of falling prey to a sophomore slump. If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to his music, now would be a good time to catch up. You can get physical copies of his albums at www.erikdylan.com or purchase downloads through itunes or Amazon.             

-Harriett

Colorado native Gerry Spehar’s musical career has spanned decades beginning in the 1970’s. Through various incarnations, and a slight detour to the corporate world while raising a family, the singer-songwriter returned full force in 2017 with the release of his critically acclaimed album I Hold Gravity. Obviously having no intent of slowing down, Spehar’s next album, Anger Management, drops on May 18th.  Equal parts cathartic release and contemporaneous account of what will become our history, the project is unapologetically political and sonically diverse; drawing on blues, folk, rock, bluegrass and country influences.

“Thank You Donald” is witty, up-tempo, bluegrass-influenced song about a desolate liberal who finds renewed purpose in life: exposing and fighting against the current administration. Through the folk-rock of “Son Of An Immigrant” Spehar tackles racism and intolerance. Blues-heavy guitar work and driving percussion provide the perfect soundtrack for the message in “Anger Management” which stresses the importance of being true to yourself and using your voice to bring about change. The deeply moving “A Soldier’s Spiritual” focuses on the difficulties veterans face daily upon returning to civilian life.

The universally recognizable sound associated with a circus calliope introduces “Carnival”, which provides an interesting take on the political legacy of LBJ and a rendition of Hail To The Chief, begins the lampooning of Trump and those infamous Access Hollywood tapes on “Freedom to Grab”. Spehar’s thirteen track collection closes with the reflective “What Would Jesus Do”,  pondering the contrast between the words and the deeds of some who profess to be Christians.

With Anger Management, Gerry Spehar combines his vast and varied music experience with his equally diverse life experience to deliver an interesting album that entertains and challenges the listener. To learn more about his backstory and his music, visit www.gerryspehar.com            

Founded in 2009, The Mallett Brothers Band have had multiple lineup changes and stylistic shifts over the years, but they’ve remained steadfast in delivering heartfelt songs with emotional lyricism, vivid imagery, and dynamic musical tones, all of which are evident on their upcoming release, Vive L’Acadie! Due June 15th, Vive L’Acadie!, the follow-up to 2017’s concept album, The Falling of the Pine, is a ten-song set inspired by their Maine homeland and grounded in roots rock with touches of blues, southern rock, and folk. Traversing vast emotional territory, the tunes on Vive L’Acadie! include the deeply moving (“Timberline (High Times)"), the celebratory (“Vive L’Acadie”), and the spirited (“Losin’ Horses”).

Penned by Will Mallett, the infectious “Losin’ Horses” is a twangy shuffler set apart by pedal steel, mandolin and a touch of reverb whose warm melody juxtaposes the story of a down on his luck gambler dealing with his wagers and losses.
 
"You keep betting on those losing horses
Getting drawn by all those mystic needs
Getting torn by the confusing forces
Yeah, you keep betting on the losing steed."
 
Will Mallett relays the story behind the tune, “This is just one of those classic story songs, a portrait of a gambler down on his luck. The chorus came first in the writing process, and I sat on it for months thinking the verses needed to build out a metaphor, but in the end, I realized it should just stick with the horse racing theme and kept it sort of thematically streamlined. It’s a typical “sad song that sounds happy.” 
 
There’s a big-time Big Duane Eddy influence in the sound, and lyrically it comes from a lot of places, but I think I had some combination of Woody Guthrie and Van Morrison in mind when it was coming together. For the hard-living hero, I had an image of someone from a Woody Guthrie song or a Steinbeck novel, but the vague mysticism in the chorus was definitely influenced by Van Morrison... I distinctly recall questioning some of the word choices and then thinking “what would Van Morrison do?” and leaving it as it was.
 
Nothing crazy with the writing or recording processes on this one, but I will say, this one is a lot of fun to play live and was especially so during our recent tour with Jon Fishman on the second drum kit. A couple shows into the tour Jon started doing this very cool gallop pattern during the instrumental section that Chuck then started playing around with, and it got me to kick my acoustic into high gear a little bit, and we ended up stretching it out and having some good fun... off to the races, ya know?” 
 
The Mallett Brothers Band are Luke Mallett (vocals/guitar), Will Mallett (vocals/guitar), Nick Leen (bass), Wally Wenzel (dobro/electric guitar/vocals), Chuck Gange (drums), and Andrew Martell (fiddle/guitar/mandolin).
 
Vive L’Acadie! is due June 15th.