Inspired by the quiet musings of troublesome love and the path to understanding, the emotionally evocative music of indie-folk singer-songwriter, Kyle Britton, epitomizes storytelling in its truest fashion. Britton’s distinctive sound combines undeniable dark undertones with roving melodies and atmospheric refrains, offering a unique experience for his listeners. On “Villain”, Britton successfully demonstrates diversity as both a lyricist and performer. The dramatic self-confession, encapsulates its audience through the use of defiance against typical folk arrangements, opening us up to our ‘villainous’ side.

Britton's EP is a demonstration of his continuous hard work towards his childhood dream. His natural dedication has led him from ‘fake-playing’ his 7-year-old rendition of Def Leppard’s ‘Pour some sugar on me’ to creating an EP that actively analyzes his decisions in life, whilst convincing us to do the same. The EP, Riddle, is set for release June 10th worldwide.

Jessica Rotter, who has worked with such artists as Sam Smith, Carole King, and Daft Punk, is preparing to release her new full-length project, Plains, April 22nd. Produced by Cazz Brindis and mixed by Scott M. Smith, the eleven track record is stunning, cinematic and most uniquely, organically raw, with the listener being able to hear breath in every track.

One of the tracks from that collection is "Porch Song," a gorgeously scaled back, emotional and inspirational song whose center is Rotter's utterly breathtaking vocal delivery. "Life. Life isn't so hard when you let your head fall on my shoulders./Life. Life isn't so hard when you let your heart fall into mine." Give a listen to the track below and visit her website for more information.

Love this track so much, I'm posting it twice: once on the news page and then again here just so you don't miss it.

A fifth-generation descendant of Wyoming homesteaders, Luke Bell is a ranch hand turned troubadour who has seen a lot of life in his 26 years. The singer-songwriter just released a new tune, "Sometimes," and it's one that you will want to give a listen. Bell says of the track:  "I wrote this song a few years ago about the mixed feelings a person has when they leave something behind before they've decided whether it's the right thing to do or not. At the time I was living down in Texas and havin a ball of a time with good friends at places like The Hole in the Wall, The Broken Spoke and The White Horse, but grew restless and hit the road. I had it half written and sang it in the studio just foolin around- the band thought it was a blast to jam on so I finished it and we cut it in just a few takes if I remember right. It's a straight forward Bakersfield style Honky-Tonk-punk-rock-two-steppin-long-legged thoroughbred; nothin fancy, just fun."

Bell sounds like no one else out there right now yet he evokes the familiar sound of country icons from the past. There's not too many MUST listens that come along, "Sometimes" is one of them.

Listen to the track above or download the track for free via Bandcamp:
https://lukebell.bandcamp.com/releases

Bell will release a new album later this year and will appear at the Stagecoach Festival on Saturday, April 30th. Tour dates to be announced.
 
www.lukebellmusic.com
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​Brooklyn's Mail the Horse released their latest album, Planet Gates, in June of last year and are gearing up for a very busy 2016. Currently on tour, the quintet head to SXSW next week, and are confirmed for Firefly Music Festival in June.

If you haven't checked out Planet Gates yet, let "Flowers Keys & Gasoline" be your introduction. There's a throwback country bent to this shuffling keys filled tune that's infused with a bit of roots rock permeated by an overall 70's air.....that just works. Give a listen to "Flowers Keys & Gasoline" below. 

The Mining Co._ bring a heartfelt and lush collection with their debut album Burning Sun & the Atomic Powers Within, out March 11th. Co-produced in Spain by lead singer Michael Gallagher with Paco Loco, Gallagher’s melodies and lyrics have a moodiness and a fragility alongside a depth and a warmth that seeps from the first track to the last. Listen to the title track below.

Americana singer-songwriter and banjoist Anielle Reid, who released Ain't Like 'Em in 2015, returns with new music in the form of her latest single, "Love Song." The song, released on March 4th, is the first single from her sophomore album, Rememberin', due mid-June. Featured in the 2015 short Neo Love Story, "Love Song" is an acoustic tale about the push and pull of love (and the crazy things that it makes you do) that's propelled by banjo, percussion and Reid's airy vocals. Give a listen below.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Qv3K7L
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OFFICIAL WEBSITE:http://www.aniellereid.com
FACEBOOK:http://www.facebook.com/aniellereid
INSTAGRAM:http://www.instagram.com/aniellereid
TWITTER:http://www.twitter.com/aniellereid

I had never heard of Eilen Jewell until seeing her at the BBR this year, and I found myself connecting with and enjoying every song she sang, so much so that I went out and further acquainted myself with her music starting with her newest release, Sundown Over Ghost Town. Released on May 26th, the album was recorded in Jewell's native Idaho with her (simply outstanding) band which includes Jerry Miller on guitar, drummer Jason Beek (her husband) and upright bassist Johnny Sciascia. 

A singer songwriter to the core, Jewell's songs are thoughtful, personal, textured and incredibly poetic in nature. At first listen, you are drawn in by the writing, the melodies and her unique vocals; then you are held there until you listen again (and again) and discover something new with each song, every time. Those songs range from the bittersweet opening track, "Worried Mind" to the mariachi flavored "Rio Grande" to the country noir of "My Hometown." Closing track "Songbird" is a gorgeous, touching ode to a new family member, her daughter Mavis, who was born during the recording of the record. Each elegant tune can stand alone, yet together combine into something magnificent.

Sundown Over Ghost Town cannot figure squarely into one genre as it is infused with country, folk, western swing and rockabilly....but ultimately it can simply be categorized as good music. It's an album where the stories, vocals and instrumentation blend into an album that is full of heart and soul....and incredibly special. Give it a listen.

Lindi Ortega has firmly planted herself as one of Americana’s stand outs. Playing everywhere from clubs to festivals to roadhouses, she can simultaneously be retro, new school, edgy and outlaw with vocals raw and gritty or tender and soothing, yet always captivating. All of these facets can be found on her latest album, Faded Gloryville, which was released August 7th.

The album was recorded in three different sessions with Ortega teaming up with award-winning producers Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Shooter Jennings), Colin Linden (T Bone Burnett) and the Muscle Shoals-based team of Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes) and John Paul White (Civil Wars). The goal was to create a record as broad as varied as Ortega's influences-which run the gamut from '70s country records to classic soul. And she succeeds with a varied, yet unified collection. There’s the bluesy “Tell It Like It Is,” the soulful, plump with horns rendition of The Bee Gees “To Love Somebody” and the old school flavor of “Someday Soon.” Faded Gloryville also includes the title track which visits that dreary place one often travels on the way to our final destination, carrying out our dreams, the rockabilly toe-tappers “Run-Down Neighborhood” and “Run Amuck” and the clever “I Ain’t The Girl.”

The stirring “Ashes” and the gorgeous, scaled back “Half Moon” booked an album that is filled with sweetness, swagger and sometimes, a truthful sadness. Give it a listen.

Lindi Ortega will be at  Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY on October 17th. Standing room only remain. Tickets here.

After lengthy legal issues, The Damn Quails, via a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign, released their latest album, Out Of The Birdcage on September 4th. The twelve tracks were all written by co-front men Bryon White and Gabe Marshall sans for two that were penned with (“Rattlesnakes Through the Cotton”), and by (“Oklahoma Blue”), Buffalo Rogers. Produced by Dave Abeyta (of Reckless Kelly, who also brings his incredible guitar skills to the record), the album finds the band moving forward with the same insightful lyrics and unique sound you would expect, but sharpened to a fine point. Pedal steel (courtesy of Lloyd Maines), fiddle, mandolin, organ, dobro and lap steel aren’t relegated to supporting players, they share the stage right alongside the songwriting and vocal delivery. And speaking of vocals, both Marshall and White sing with an honesty and believability while White’s vocals have become softer, restrained--making them even more effective.

The album kicks off with the anthemic title track followed by “Tough Luck & Cryin’ Shame” which finds him stating “If you ever wondered how a man goes wrong/Watch and wait baby well it won’t take long.” Marshall takes lead on “Tightrope Walker” a bluesy jam about being caught between saint and sinner, “Song of Home” a story song that’s just perfect with its cadence and a sing along ready “la la la” and the groovy, funky “Give It Some Time.” White is back on “Oklahoma Blue” which features harmonies and harmonica in a bar ready sing along and the emotional “The Man In The Mirror” (The Girl On The Plane). The rootsy “Just A Little While” and “Vastness” close out the record.

Out Of The Birdcage makes an impact both lyrically and sonically. It’s vivid, mature story-telling and musicianship brought to life in an album that you should definitely give a listen. 

I for one cannot wait to hear these tracks live. And lucky for us, they play Hill Country on Saturday 9/19. It’s a late show, but I promise it will be worth it.