Once the young Billy (aka “Fancy Pants” in School of Rock), Brian Falduto is all grown-up and coming into his own as a singer-songwriter. Falduto has been hard at work writing, performing, and recording in New York City and recently released his debut EP, Love One Another. The acoustic set is filled with Brian’s original, heartfelt lyrics that tell of personal experiences and situations with previous relationships, as well as delving into the current climate of the world (“Turn That Song Back On"). Recently, Falduto kindly took the time to answer some questions via email about his journey into songwriting, Love One Another, and more.

You've been performing since you were a child. How did you transition from actor to singer? And was music something that was always there or something that came later?

I've always been singing, yes.  I started taking singing lessons when I was 11, I believe.  I began singing in church choir when I was young.  I then went on to do a lot of musical theatre, so acting & singing went hand-in-hand for quite some time and then the specific music focus was a recent thing.  I was working in country music radio when I first picked up my guitar and started writing songs two years ago.  Music was a big part of my daily life .. especially country music .. and I was going to a lot of concerts and working with a lot of artists and I became envious of those who I watched pursue dreams by creating art.  So I decided to give it a go myself!


You penned all of the songs on the EP. Where do you draw from when writing?

I draw from personal experience, primarily.  Most of the songs on the EP are break-up songs.  I went through a tough one and it gave me a lot of material.  The first song I ever wrote was "In My Mind."  It's on the EP as a live studio session.  That was about 2 years ago.  So it's all fairly fresh to me still and I'm still experimenting with new lyrics, themes, melodies, etc.  I recently wrote a song for my Grandma which is now easily my favorite song I've ever written and my most personal.  As I develop as a person, experience things, and grow older, I imagine my songwriting will evolve too.  

Being that your music mixes varied genres, who do you consider you musical influences?

I do love country music.  And I'd say my music is country-influenced but not quite there.  It crosses over into other genres for sure.  I love so many artists so it's hard to pick an influence.  I listen to a lot of oldies, a lot of ballads, a lot of story songs.  Currently listening to the new Zac Brown Band album on repeat a lot.  Also, Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, Jo Dee Messina.  Current favorite song is probably "Tin Man" by Miranda Lambert.

Guest post by Adrian Peel. Find him on Twitter @AdrianPeelCI
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Female duo, Manda Mosher and Kirsten Proffit, are preparing to release their sophomore album, ‘Under Blue Skies'.

Calico the band - short for “California Country” - is returning with a new album, featuring standout tracks such as "Cold Cold Love," "The 405" and an inspired arrangement of the Mamas & The Papas' "California Dreamin'." The intimate and tight harmonies heard on the band's 2014 debut, Rancho California, are once again present.

"The title track came from the idea that we are all connected regardless of distance under that same big blue sky," explains Kirsten Proffit. "This is our first record as a duo rather than a trio, although we did keep a third part vocal harmony weaving throughout the songs, in addition to fiddle and guitars - and several songs feature pedal steel.

"We had a format of trading verses between the lead vocals on 'Rancho California,' however the new record features one lead vocal on each song. We approached the songwriting differently this time, allowing the songs to come from a more personal place.

"This record digs deeper into our personal experiences in life, love and on the road - on our first effort we were still discovering what we were capable of. We definitely made more of our signature guitar lines (played by Manda) and honed our ideas in pre-production, with the two of us and Matt Lucich (drums) and Ted Russell Kamp (bass)."
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On the subject of the music on the album, Kirsten continues: "Each song has its own unique draw for us. 'Cold Cold Love' has been a favourite of ours to perform live; it is a raucous, rootsy western.
We love the recording, which features Dan Wistrom on the pedal steel and electric guitar and Aubrey Richmond on fiddle.

"We are so happy with the way that our cover of 'California Dreamin''came out. This is the one track that was produced and mixed by Jim Scott. Thematically, this record pulls from experiences we have had on tour ('Love Gets in the Way', 'Under Blue Skies', 'Into the Unknown', 'The Leaving Kind') and also our personal relationships in many cases."

Along with CALICO, Dwight Yoakam and Sam Outlaw are other fine examples of Californian country music. "We are certainly fans of Dwight and he does carry that Bakersfield sound forward," says Kirsten. "Sam Outlaw also has a 70s country vibe and some really strong material.

"One thing that’s unique with California’s country sound is the fusion of country and rock and roll that began in the late 60s and early 70s. Gram Parsons, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, on to Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and more.

This is the part of the evolution from which our influences are derived.

"We are butted up next to the great Pacific Ocean here, not an easy drive to Texas or Oklahoma. The cities are crowded but it is also the nation's biggest agricultural state, and the weather is incomparable. All of this has an impact on what happens artistically here."
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Kirsten concludes: "We are hoping that this new record will reach a wider audience; we will go where it leads us. We are planning more overseas touring next year, going back to the UK and beyond in addition to continued touring within the US. We want to give this record every chance to be heard."
Under Blue Skies will be released on Friday, September 15.

TDC is pleased to premiere the video for "The Leaving Kind" which was recorded live at Dragonfly Creek.
 

Described by Time magazine as someone who “writes songs with the same urgency that compelled the Lost Generation to write novels,” Peter Himmelman has long explored a diverse array of creative outlets from solo albums and children’s CDs (including the Grammy-nominated My Green Kite) to composing scores for television and film. On August 11th, the singer-songwriter released his latest full-length, the stunningly crafted There Is No Calamity. Recently, Mr. Himmelman graciously took the time to speak about the project, including working with Steve Berlin, and more.
 
There Is No Calamity was produced by Steve Berlin [Los Lobos] who had a large hand in choosing the songs for the project, which to me seems to involve both relinquishing some control and a lot of trust.
At this point in my career, I’ve done so much on my own, but in many aspects of life, having a partnership is something that’s desirable to me. I really wanted some input on the album, and I did trust Steve. In fact, I started trusting him even before I heard his production stuff. I trusted the way he spoke on the phone. I liked what he had to say and the way he said it. Then I went back and listened to what he’d done, and I thought he had this muscular rock sound, but it wasn’t WROQUE. It sounded like things that I liked - it sounded lean and tough, but also had production value to it. I liked what I heard, so we went forward.
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I wrote all of the songs he picked from, some I liked less and some I liked more, but had he not picked a few like “Rich Men Rule The World,” I would have thrown that one on there. Then, there were a couple that were done as country demos that I would have canned if he wouldn’t have chosen them. So, in a sense, I didn’t give up control; I had input, and if I was firmly against something, it was out.

Central Texas-based Chris Fullerton delivers truths – both hard, heartwarming, and hopeful – on his debut full-length, Epilepsy Blues, due August 11th. The singer-songwriter crafts songs that are candid, mixing sonic palettes of honky-tonk, folk, blues, and psychedelia, that provide the musical backdrop for stories anchored in his experiences and love for his wife. In advance of the album's release, Fullerton graciously took the time to speak about his epilepsy, the album, and much more.

​Epilepsy Blues, your full-length debut, is releasing this Friday. Have you been playing and pursuing music for awhile?
I’ve been around music since I was a kid. My mom, who is one of seven, comes from a musical family where they all play instruments and sing, so I grew up around hymnals and old country music like Hank Snow, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash. I started playing guitar when I was seven, and around ten or eleven, my Mom and I would play “Amazing Grace” at funerals in Camden County [New Jersey]. We did that for a while and then I had my first taste of punk. Once I heard The Clash, I formed punk bands until I eventually segued back and forth between that and country.

That's a diverse combo!
Before moving to Austin, you lived in Boston. What spurred the move to Texas?
I moved to Austin six years ago, sort of on a whim, and I love it. While I was living in Boston, I had a western swing band that was gaining traction, but I started to have seizures, learned I had epilepsy, was drinking a lot, and had a girlfriend who was cheating on me. Things were not going good, and I knew had to get out of there. So I packed up and moved to Austin because I knew all of these songwriters who I loved, like Adam Carroll, Townes Van Zandt, and Dale Watson, were from there. Right away when I moved, I met my wife, Lindsay, who is an angel, and we had a son, Townes, who is almost five. Lindsay really helped me make this record because every time I wrote, and I mean every time, she helped, me edit lyrics and she helped me with the mixing and production process by letting me know how things sounded. She didn’t mean to be in this business, but I think I kind of accidentally threw her into it (laughing).

Nashville-based artist Julia Capogrossi is a country music singer and songwriter who began performing at a young age, and only grew to love it more as she became older. After her freshman year at Indiana University, Capogrossi decided to relocate to Nashville to pursue her musical dreams. And now, Julia is seeing much of her hard work pay off. She recently released her new single, "Busch Light Budget" and is preparing to head to Argentina to play the San Pedro Country Music Festival - as the sole performer from the United States. In advance of the Festival, Capogrossi took the time to answer a few questions via email about her roots, traveling to Argentina to play the festival, and more.

You began performing at a young age, did you know early on that you wanted to pursue music professionally?
From before I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a singer. I started doing talent shows at age 8 and theatre musicals at age 10! I continued theatre through high school because it was an outlet for me to sing, but always knew that country was what I wanted to do! I went to Indiana U for a year, but within a few months there, I realized that I belonged in Nashville. With my parents’ blessing, I moved to Nashville that September and started pursuing my dreams professionally!

And was it always country music you gravitated to?
Yes—I’ve always loved country! From the time I started singing, one of my go-to songs was “Sin Wagon” by the Dixie Chicks! I had no idea what it was about of course, but I felt so happy singing it and knew that was the type of music I wanted to be a part of forever.

Do you have any particular musical influences across any genre?
I grew up listening to mostly country and rock. Like I said, Dixie Chicks were huge, and Carrie Underwood has been my idol for most of my life. My mom used to always have us listen to Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and Bruce Springsteen, who I still listen to and adore today!

Your new single is “Busch Light Budget.” Did you write it and if so can you relay the story behind the song?
I wrote Busch Light Budget right after my friends and I got home from a grocery store! We were looking at all the fancy wines and more expensive beers, and we ended up buying the cheaper stuff because it’s all the money we had. Once we got into the car, I realized how lucky we were that even though we don’t have a bunch of money, we have the best times just because we have each other! So I wrote it about being grateful for that aspect in my life. 

Fourteen year old country newcomer Bailey James has already performed at the Bluebird Café, CMA Music Festival, and showcased during Country Radio Seminar. A vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Bailey is a standout artist who combines elements of classic country with contemporary sounds and energy. Recently, Bailey released her new single, "Run Girl," a song championing hard work and pursuing one's dreams, and kindly took the time to answer a few questions via email about the track, her involvement with The Jason Foundation, and more.
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Being fourteen, when did you begin singing and playing guitar, and know that you wanted to pursue music professionally?
I have been singing since I could talk.  My dad sang a lot of Johnny Cash, George Jones and Hank Sr. to me from the time I was my baby.  I was a huge Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift fan when I was younger.  I still love Miley and Taylor.  When I was 10, I tried out for my first school talent show and was blown away by how I was received.  I made a demo of “Blue” and “Crazy” at 11 and paid a visit to Nashville and, 3 years later, I have “Run Girl” charting on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart.  It is 93rd as of last week… Top 80 here we come!

Music is my passion.  It is the one thing that feels so natural to me in my life.  Since picking up guitar about two years ago, I find the melodies come very easy now.  I love that when the guitar is in my hands I really control the entire delivery and not just the vocals.  You can emote with a guitar as much as you do with your voice.
 
Was it always country you gravitated to and if so, who do you draw from?
I love all music.  Country, rock, pop, rap and opera.  Yep, opera!  One of my vocal coaches was a former opera professional.  Country and more specifically, traditional country is where my heart and my voice feel most at home.  My dad got it started, but I found Patsy, Dolly, Tammy, Loretta, etc. on my own.  Patsy Cline is my all-time favorite.  She is the bar that I have set for myself.  That is what I work towards.

I do draw from all genres though, but usually from past artists and not present artists.  Other artists that I love to listen to and cover are Elvis, Whitney, and Janis.
 
How do you balance music and school? 
Not super easy to do.  I have missed a great deal of school and my grades are rather average.  My folks are a huge support physically, emotionally, financially… I am guessing that if things get any busier that I will have to turn to home schooling.

Earlier this year, Matt Eckstine released his debut solo album, a subdued yet impactful, ten track collection that begins with the thoughtful “Wheels” and travels through the blues-tinged “One Orange in The Tree,” the hopeful, serene “This Heaven,” and the relatable “Lonely Tonight.” With only guitar, harmonica, and a voice that is quiet yet undeniably sincere, Eckstine speaks universal truths that will move you.
Recently, Eckstine took some time to answer a few questions via email about his roots, the album, and more.

After years fronting The Accomplices, why was now a good time to venture into a solo career?
The band collectively decided to put things on hold for the time being with two members relocating across the country and starting a family. Instead of scrambling to create a band and hitting the clubs, I see this as a perfect time and opportunity to focus on songwriting/storytelling and exploring the opportunities of a solo singer/songwriter career.

Coming from a four piece, how different was the overall approach to this album? And did you enjoy the recording process?
The approach to this album was like nothing I have ever done in the past. When recording with a band, there is a lot more production and so many different moving parts. It felt refreshing to record an album that wasn’t over-produced. I went into a favorite studio of mine, Elevated Basement, in Savannah. We set up the microphones; I sat on a stool, got comfy and went through my catalog of songs. The songs were recorded live and bare bones, with no additional overdubs or musicians. Ultimately the songs that made the cut were the best lyrically.