Watch Danny Golden - “Hangover”

Austin - by way of Colorado, Pittsburgh and places in between - singer-songwriter Danny Golden believes the job of an artist is to "investigate the depths of our world and bring some meaning back to the surface." Golden does his job, and does it extremely well, with his new LP, Old Love, a ten-song collection that invites you to explore relationships, situations, and moments - both clear and cloudy, inspiring and frustrating - we find ourselves in when we let someone into our lives.

Recently, Golden took the time to answer his Essential 8 where he spoke about the album, shared the story behind "Delilah," his first (but not favorite) concert, and much more!

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
I walk away from every conversation with my friend David Ramirez with a whole new understanding of what it means to be a musician. That guy just knows where it's at. Every songwriter should listen to David’s song “Stone”.

When/where do you do your best writing?
Home alone, sitting at my kitchen table in the middle of the night. Surrounded by candles, books, notebooks, and instruments. The outside world starts to fade away and i lose track of time. When i’m lucky, Inspiration comes to find me there.

Is there a song of yours that gets the best crowd response?
‘Hangover” without a doubt. It's simple and relatable on the most basic human level. And the band rocks out to another dimension on that one. And i get to blow off all my steam at the microphone.

Hailing from the UK, Lucy Grubb is an Americana singer-songwriter who draws from genre heavyweights such as Johnny Cash and Paul Simon, and more currently, Jason Isbell and Courtney Marie Andrews. On October 31st, she released her second EP, Dear Walter, and here answers her Essential 8 where she talks about the EP, personal songwriting, where we'd find her if she wasn't making music, John Mayer, the Opry, and more!

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
 When I was choosing songs for my first EP ‘18 Miles’, I actively decided that I wanted there to be one song about my grandad on it, as he was the one that got me into Country music and ultimately led me down this path. So when choosing songs for this upcoming EP, I wanted there to be a few shared themes throughout both of the releases, one of them being another song about my grandad. This time I had a track ready and waiting, and it was called ‘Dear Walter’. It seemed fitting to call the second EP ‘Dear Walter’, because these tracks are for him. Not all in the literal sense, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without his input, so this is my way of reaching out to him and saying thank you. Even though he’s no longer around, I think he’d appreciate the sentiment.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
I jot down a lot of notes on my phone on the bus, but I exclusively write full songs on the sofa in my parent’s house. I have tried writing in other rooms, other houses, different modes of transport, but it only works on the sofa. It’s a pretty comfy sofa so maybe that’s it.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
When I was younger I had a pretty wild imagination so my songs were all fantasy based. I guess you could say that as a 12 year old I wasn’t really going through a lot at the time, so I didn’t have a lot to write about in my personal life.

As I got older, and I reached about 16, I started drawing in on my own experiences, simply because I enjoy writing about what I know. I feel like I don’t really have the authority to write about the experience or feelings of others, only my own. It has almost become therapeutic, kind of like writing in a diary. My songs get very personal, and that’s OK with me. Most of the time when I’m writing about my feelings towards someone else, its subtle or disguised in a metaphor. This way I don’t have to address them directly, and it means that other people can relate to the songs a lot easier.

After a time-out working as a writer for the past five years, Dublin's ​Robert O’Connor returns with his latest single, "No Second Chances." Produced by Stuart Gray with Steve Hogan at Jealoustown Studios in County Meath, Ireland, the emotional shuffler has received major radio support from stations across Ireland, as well as plays in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Germany and France, despite O'Connor being an entirely independent artist. Here, get to know O'Connor as he answers his Essential 8 and shares the story behind the song, talks about his producer and mentor Stuart Gray, honest songwriting, radio play, and much more!


​Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My producer Stuart Gray sat me down at the beginning of this year right after we’d met. We were going through ideas that I had and I really wanted to come back with an upbeat country record but I was constantly questioning myself and what people would think and he just said, “make this for you, let’s make sure the three of us in this room are happy with this work when you’re leaving, and forget about everything and everyone else”. He was basically saying that you can never predict trends or what people are going to like, and when they’re going to suddenly stop liking it and move on to the next thing. That was re-iterated when I had a meeting with First Music Contact’s Angela Dorgan here in Dublin recently, a few times when I mentioned about doing things for a very specific commercial purpose she’d say to me “be careful”, and I do need to be reined in sometimes because I’m 50% about loving to make music on my own terms and 50% about wanting to gain that popularity that can take me to the next level!

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
When I went into the studio in January this year it was my first time recording in seven years, and it had been five years since I’d released anything, so it was really daunting. I went to my producers Stuart and Steve with “You Found Me” which would become the first single, and it was kind of ‘80s-influenced soft rock, and then we made it into this brooding downbeat track with industrial drums, and it lost its catchiness but damn it was cool, but the part of me that wanted a fun song to perform live won, and so we went back to the commercial ‘80s rock. Then we questioned the chorus, wrote a new one, I kept saying “I want a Coldplay stadium sing-along-chorus, so I went into the booth and did exactly that, and then we sort of said “well there needs to be a country element because that’s where we’re going with the next single, so Stuart made that happen and that’s when I really felt “These are the ingredients, this is my sound”. We really went back and forth on so many elements and disagreed on things too, but we got there in the end and I think because of that fusion of sounds, I’ve had people like it who mightn’t usually like country. 

​After receiving critical acclaim for her 2018 album, Barnstormer, Rhyan Sinclair returns with a joyful holiday album of classics and originals.  Released on November 2nd, Marshmallow World  touches on Sinclair's varied musical influences with originals that are both timeless and timely, fun, and poignant.  "Santa How You Gettin’ in My House?" is a playful country romp that would be at home on an old Dolly Parton album, while "Let the Light in (In the Name of Christmas)" touches on the hope that the holiday season can bring us together. Here, Sinclair answers her Essential 8 and talks about the album, shares some of her favorite concerts (Cyndi Lauper, Steve Earle) as well as her must have albums for the road, and much more!

How did you choose the standards you put on the Christmas album?
I had a long list that I narrowed down. It was hard to choose, but it really came down to which songs I had the clearest, most fresh vision for, sonically and arrangement wise. I was kind of changing it up until the last minute, until the selection of songs felt right.

Can you please share the story behind "Let The Light In" which is timely and hopeful?
I wrote "Let the Light In" about the divisive times we're living in now. I think the song kind of pleads with everyone to show empathy and find peace, amongst turmoil and disagreement. To let the time of year heal and center us, bring us closer and let us re-evaluate.

Have you met any of your musical heroes and how did it go?
One of the first songs I learned with my first band, All the Little Pieces, was "Soap, Soup and Salvation" by Lone Justice. We posted a live video of the song on YouTube and we sent it to a Maria McKee fan page, not realizing it was actually her, and got a super nice note back from Maria herself. We kept in touch and when I went to California for my sweet sixteen, we got to walk around L.A with Maria and her pug on my birthday. Best day ever! Also, my family and I are huge Steve Earle fans. We've met him a couple of times after his shows and he's really great. One time, we saw him at a library in Cincinnati. He played a few songs and read from his book. It was a super cool, intimate event and we got to have a great conversation with him afterwards and he shared some of his wisdom. It was awesome.

The musical project of guitarist and vocalist Zack Kardon, Southern Pine offers subtle yet intricate, and deeply personal, songs - layering multiple instruments and voices to create an ethereal soundscape that can support raucous guitar solos and delicate string arrangements alike. 

The newest single, "Way Back Home" was inspired by Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and written to illustrate the sweet melancholy of nostalgia. Reminiscent of Sam Beam of Iron & Wine, Kardon’s voice is "dusty and intimate, like an attic full of forgotten treasures." Here, Kardon answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, traveling the country, his guilty pleasure song, and much more.
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Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made up stories, something else or a combination?
Almost all of my songs are rooted in personal experience. I think my best writing is allegorical. More than telling a story, I try to write songs that paint the vignette of a feeling. My story is specific to me, but feelings are universal, and if you can tap into a feeling that seems very specific and maybe even a little isolating then I think that's where music can have a tremendous catharsis.

When/Where do you do your best writing?
There are a handful of factors that put me into a space that is conducive for writing. Probably the the biggest is travel. When I go to a new place I see the world with fresh eyes. Home life is comprised of routine, which has it's own beautiful reward, but when I'm out of my element I'm able to observe small details that otherwise live in my periphery. Another important factor is to make sure I'm ingesting steady diet of art. It's pretty simple, I'm able to produce satisfying work when I am prioritizing my intake. That means trying to always have a book I'm reading, searching for new music, journaling daily; If i'm growing and moving forward then songs are a natural by product of that.

Do you have any touring tips?
Southern Pine is a new project so I've yet to do any touring in that context, but I've been touring regularly since I was 19 years old. My touring experience has always been on a pretty serious budget, so things I've learned prioritize staying happy and healthy on the road and doing it all for cheap. Bringing a portable stove is a must in my opinion, especially if you're traveling with multiple people. Eating Sheets for a month straight (I admittedly love sheets) will take a pretty serious toll on ones energy level. If you bring a cook top you can make use of down time and be in control of what you're putting into your body. Another big thing is camping. For a fraction of the cost of a hotel room there are tones of beautiful campgrounds all over this country. Staying up sitting around a fire is good for the soul, and they often have nicer showers then many of the budget hotels I've stayed at.

Watch "We Made Out" HERE

Houston Bernard and his band bring vitality and grit to modern country with a fresh and hard-hitting approach that has earned them nominations for Country Act of the Year New England Music Awards in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Over the years, they have shared bills with Old Dominion, Miranda Lambert, Josh Turner, Clint Black, Cadillac Three, Dierks Bentley, Travis Tritt, and more. In July 2018, they released their third album and first single, "We Made Out" which is already being played all over North America, Europe, and Australia. Here, Bernard answers hie Essential 8+ and talks about the album, his professional bucket list, what he listens to on the road, and so much more!

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
Yes, Kaz Gamble, he started producing me when I was in highschool and he opened my ears to many styles of music that I was not currently listening. He also shot my very first music video that aired locally on television. Which is a big deal when you are 15 years old.

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? I kept listening to “We Made Out” wondering how I can make it better, we remixed it and added some new backing vocals which sold me on being ok to call it finished.

Is there a story behind your album’s title? “Lucky Man” is the title and a track on the album. I feel very fortunate to be able to play music, to have the people in my life #more than blessed.

Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did? I actually recorded 6 other songs that did not make the album. I felt they were very different and didn’t really fit, I think the songs on this album make sense together.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? My life, they are all true stories.

When/where do you do your best writing? In my man cave when no one is around.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? Yes, a bit of everything but generally my own experiences.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? Learn the business.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Learn the business and don’t ever be satisfied with you art form, keep working to improve it, that is where your energy should be.

Hailing from Texas, Jade Marie Patek comes from a rich musical lineage as the granddaughter of polka legend, Joe Patek, who delighted crowds at dancehalls for decades with his Orchestra. Using her polka roots as inspiration, Jade began writing her own music and performing live a few years back.

Her original music includes 2 radio singles, “Drive” and "Dead Flowers," which reached  the Top 30 and Top 20 on the Texas Regional Radio Chart, respectively. Now, Patek is prepping the release of her new EP, Fly Bird, a seven-song collection fueled by life experiences, life lessons, and a whole lot of heart and soul. Ahead of the release, Patek answered her Essential 8 where she spoke about the EP, her love of fishing, taking time to reflect while on the road, and more!

Is there a story behind the title “Fly Bird”?
Fly Bird is a journey of self-discovery, losing love, finding love and most of all – Self Love. For the past ten years I have been searching for answers to it all. I’ve made mistakes, fallen flat on my face, but I’ve also had amazing triumphs along the way. I’ve found what’s most important to me, and that’s loving myself and believing in my dreams of playing music.
 
These songs are placed in a particular order, it is the story of my life for the past decade or so. I have lost love and lost my way for a while, but I never stopped writing, singing and performing music. Fly Bird is more than just my first music release. It’s a release from self-guilt, self-judgment and self-sabotage. It’s freedom, the freedom to believe in one’s self, and the freedom to determine one’s own happiness.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
I write mostly from personal experience, but every now and then I write from all of the above! It’s a lot of fun to branch out and write about something other than what I’ve been through.
 
Where/When do you do your best writing?
I usually do my best writing when I am at home by myself with no interruptions. I get inspiration from the outside world like a song, a memory, a current or past situation, and I try to write it down or do a voice recording. Then, I get home and get into an atmosphere where I can really focus on what song I am trying to create.

Colorado singer-songwriter Dave Tamkin recently released his new album, Live at eTOWN, a seven-song collection that showcases his unique rhythmic-acoustic style and unabashedly honest lyrics in a space where he performs best: a live setting. Ahead of a busy November, Tamkin kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 where he spoke about the album, offer up some touring tips, let us in on his favorite audio books, discuss failure as success, and more.


Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
I wasn’t aware that this Live at eTown EP was being recorded at the time of the performance. A friend told me later that eTown records all their shows. So out of the 10 + songs I performed that night, these 7 songs were the ones I was most proud of. I was able to introduce a new song while rounding out songs from the last two releases. I felt good on stage that night and the audience supported me with every song. I’m proud of the performance and wanted to share it. I hope people can feel like they were right there when they listen to it and connect with the songs.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
“Slow down and I can’t understand what you’re saying.” It’s two things that multiple musicians have told me over the years. Ha! When I was living in Chicago the music I played was always competing against a bar audience. Yes, they were there to support us and have a great time but it wasn’t so much about the songs as it was about the groove and getting people into the party atmosphere. That could have been self-imposed but it’s what influenced me a lot. Play fast and ask questions later. As my surroundings changed in Colorado, I met more songwriters that played at venues that allowed a pin drop to be heard between verses and choruses. The listening audiences influenced me to be clear with my lyrics and to slow down. Hopefully it’s made me a better songwriter.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Never stop creating or learning how to be better at your art. Play something new every day. Sing something new every day. Learn your favorite songs. Take time to journal when you are not playing or singing. If you never stop learning and creating, your ego won't have time to take over.

Nashville TN based and Macon, GA Native Molly Stevens grew up singing in church and at many revivals led by her grandfather, a celebrated preacher around the Southeast. Growing up in Macon, Stevens never knew a time when southern rock or soul wasn’t floating through the air. She studied theatre in college and moved to New York City shortly thereafter with acting aspirations. It wasn’t long, however, until she realized music was her true passion. Armed with a vintage 1950s Gibson acoustic given to her by her grandfather shortly before he died, she moved to Nashville in 2009 intent on turning her passion into a career.

This past September, she released her new EP, Here & Now Vol. 1, and here she answers her Essential 8 plus where she talks about her grandfather, the album, Chick-Fil-A, and much more!
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Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My grandfather was my musical mentor. He played guitar and left me his old 1958 Gibson when he died. I take it everywhere with me.

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
My tune "Just Hold On" had that feeling. Once we got the melody down it all made perfect sense and fell into place.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
Why did you choose to anchor the album with the songs you did?- Of course there is a story. There always is. Here and Now is a mantra I try to live by. Staying present and just taking things one step at a time. It's a lyric in my tune Just Hold On and it just felt right to name the album Here and Now Vol. 1

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
Life experiences. All day long. My emotions, feelings, thoughts. I always write what I'm feeling.

When/where do you do your best writing?
In the studio with Whitney Dean. He and I get the mood set right and magic happens there for me.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
I almost always write about personal experiences.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
"There is room for all of us. Don't compare and try to be like other artists. Just be you."

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
One day at a time. And be authentic.

What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road?
Chick Fil A of course :)

Singer, songwriter and bandleader Ryan Montbleau released his new live album, Woodstock Sessions, on October 26th. Recorded in December 2017 at Applehead Recording in Woodstock, New York as a part of Woodstock Sessions’ ongoing live-in-studio releases, the album features selections with special guests Tall Heights and is the best showcase yet of the New England-based musician’s mastery of acoustic songwriting and performance developed over a successful fifteen-year career.

‘Woodstock Sessions’ includes several of Montbleau’s most well known songs from over six different previous releases, in addition to three previously unreleased tracks: “Looking Glass,” “The Country and the Town” and “Help Me," and marks the beginning of a new era of Montbleau’s career, which both continues to grow while coming full-circle; Montbleau having recorded some of his earliest records at this very same studio in upstate New York.

Here, Ryan answers his Essential 8 where he speaks about Martin Sexton, songwriting, loneliness, shares a special gift from a fan, and much more.

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
Martin Sexton.  When I was first starting out I got completely taken by his music and then when I started looking into him I got swept up in how he built his career and who he was.  He's done it on the road, one room at a time.  That, combined with the brilliance of his music and his talent has made him a beacon for me.  Years later when I first got to tour with him, his preparation and focus on how to make each night great... that blew me away.  And he's out there killing it now, sounding better than ever.
​
When/where do you do your best writing?
Maybe it's because I spend so much time driving, but I tend to get some good writing done in the car.  I remember reading Bob Dylan say something about writing best while moving?  Maybe it has to do with that too.  But I'll pull up one of the zillion unfinished ideas in my head or on my phone and I'll chip away at a line here, a line there.  For me songs tend to come slowly over time.  And I'm ok with that.  I tend to keep working constantly, little by little, not putting too much pressure on it but still doing the work.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
Generally a combination of all of those things, although it would depend on the song.  If some detail works from my life, I use it, but ultimately I'm trying to find the truth in the song.  I can embellish, make up a story or a character, anything can work.  But it's interesting, sometimes the best way to tell the truth is to tell a story.  My job is not to tell everyone what's going on with my life.  My job is to paint a musical picture that the listener can walk into and come to their own insights.  That's the plan anyway!