Every Friday, BGS shines a light on some of our favorite new tracks in bluegrass, folk, Americana and beyond. Then we ask the artist about the inspiration behind the music and pass their wise words along to you.

This week, enjoy new music from the longtime favorite Bay Area bluegrass band The Brothers Comatose, thoughtful Los Angeles singer-songwriter Malena Cadiz, and poetic Midwestern musician Humbird. Showing their reverence for the land, we also have a new tune from Upstate New York’s folk-inspired group Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter and a lovely video from Canadian songwriter Mimi O’Bonsawin. In addition, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Chris Pierce shares a song he wishes he didn’t have to write, while Eli Paperboy Reed keeps the home fires burning with the help of his producer, Swamp Dogg.

As always, You Gotta Hear This!

The Brothers Comatose, “High Hoping”

Artist: The Brothers Comatose
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Song: “High Hoping”
Single Release Date: August 20, 2026
Label: Swamp Jam Records

In Their Words: “‘High Hoping’ started with a single concept: ‘whatif-ism.’ But instead of the normal doom-and-gloom ‘what ifs’ (‘What if it doesn’t work out?’ or ‘What if we fail?’) we decided to turn the concept on its head and instead ask ourselves, ‘What if it DOES work out?’ or ‘What if we SUCCEED?’ These days it’s so easy (and understandable) to feel like the sky is falling; this is a song that lets us imagine that just maybe…..it isn’t.” — Addie Levy, The Brothers Comatose

Malena Cadiz, “Fragile”

Artist: Malena Cadiz
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Fragile”
Album: Fragile
Album Release Date: August 28, 2026
Label: Sad Mall

In Their Words: “‘Fragile’ was inspired by the first party after COVID lockdown. I remember feeling really wobbly and vulnerable that night and sensing everyone else might feel the same – our usual social armor was impaired from lack of practice. There was an unrestrained joy at being together and also an awkwardness — do I shake your hand? Do I stand this close? How do I make polite conversation with people I’ve just met?

“In writing the lyrics I was inspired by the one-sided conversational format of George Strait’s ‘The Chair. He’s at a bar hitting on a woman, leaving space for the responses so we as listeners fill in the blanks. It’s campy and hilarious and strangely poetic. I wanted ‘Fragile’ to have a similar earnestness and humor: ‘No, I don’t think I’ll try the punch…Well alright, maybe just a touch. I’m out of practice at making polite conversation… Did I shake your hand too hard?’” — Malena Cadiz

Track Credits:
Malena Cadiz – Acoustic guitar
Jason A. Roberts – Acoustic guitar
Aaron Stern – Bass
Leeann Skoda – Background vocals
Andrew Maguire – Drums & percussion

Humbird, “Hey Big Dipper”

Artist: Humbird
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Song: “Hey Big Dipper”
Album: Morning When It Comes
Album Release Date: September 9, 2026
Label: Nettwerk

In Their Words: “‘Hey Big Dipper’ is an existential lullaby–an ongoing conversation with the stars that took place when I was struggling to find my footing in the world and heartbroken over global events. Lyrically, it’s an acknowledgement of confusion, sorrow and also hope, while reckoning with the way Starlink and other billionaire-funded efforts pollute our planet and the night sky.

“Luke Callen was my co-writer to finish the song, helping me sculpt the final few pieces into a structure that felt soft and strong. I love how Shane Leonard’s percussion part in the recorded version feels like a living, breathing presence within the arrangement. The quiet piano was me, messing around on a scratch take to convey an idea, but to my delight, the messiness was the right fit and we chose to keep it, imperfect and honest.” — Humbird

Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter, “Planting and Harvest”

Artist: Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter
Original hometown: Amsterdam, New York
Current hometown: Beacon, New York)
Song: “Planting and Harvest”
Single Release Date: August 28, 2026
Label: Loonymusik

In Their Words: “I wrote this song as a tribute to long, enduring relationships, to love and partnerships that last through thick and thin. ‘I vow to love you even through planting and harvest’ is painted on a little sign that hangs in the kitchen of my family’s farmhouse in Upstate New York. Growing up on a farm, I can tell you that planting and harvest are the two most stressful seasons of the year, with the longest hours (even by farming standards!) and the most intense time, weather, and financial pressures all converging at once. The results can determine the success or failure of an entire year’s hopes and efforts.

“Needless to say, this puts a great deal of strain on any relationship during those times. (I’m sure other industries have equivalent situations – I know the music business does!) The song is from the point of view of a couple looking back on all they’ve weathered together, reminiscing about the past and wondering about what the future holds. It’s an ode to resilient love and the work that goes into making a lasting relationship, about commitment to the land, to the lifestyle, and to each other through it all.” — Sara Milonovich

Track Credits:
Sara Milonovich – Lead vocal, fiddle, acoustic guitar
Leigh Gibson – Harmony vocal
Abbie Gardner – Dobro
Cody Kilby – Mandolin, resonator guitar
Greg Anderson – Electric bass
Justin Guip – Drums
Greg Anderson – Producer

Mimi O’Bonsawin, “Worthy”

Artist: Mimi O’Bonsawin
Hometown: Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada
Song: “Worthy”
Album: Evoke
Release Date: August 28, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Worthy” is a love note for overthinkers like me, for anyone who spends too much time worrying about being judged or comparing themselves to others. I wrote it during a time I was fighting against the current instead of listening to myself. I wanted it to feel like an anthem, like the warm breeze that rushes through the trees on a summer day.

“My husband, who is also my drummer and co-producer, and I first played this song while touring Australia, where audiences helped shape its final form. Hearing them sing ‘Into my body, out of my mind’ with such conviction made us realize ‘Worthy’ would become the heart of this album. We’ve since watched it bring people together through singing, dancing, and shared emotion.

“As food growers and touring musicians, finding balance isn’t always easy. This song feels like the reward. It reflects the healing we experience on the land and in our garden, offering something honest, human, and deeply felt. Every time we play it, I’m reminded to return to my heart and hold up the things that are truly important in my life.” — Mimi O’Bonsawin

Track Credits:
Mimi O’Bonsawin: Vocals, Mele Guitarlele, Mele Ukulele, acoustic guitar, synth
Ryan Schurman: SJC Drums & Sabian Cymbals, percussion, electric guitar
Miranda Mulholland: Violin

Video Credits:
Directed by The Trenches Media Inc.

Chris Pierce, “First Day of School”

Artist: Chris Pierce
Hometown: Pasadena, California
Song: “First Day of School”
Album: Songs for the Heavy Hearted
Album Release Date: August 21, 2026

In Their Words: “‘First Day of School’ is a song I wish there were no reason to write. Sending a child to school should be one of the most ordinary and hopeful moments in a family’s life. You pack their lunch, straighten their collar, kiss them goodbye and send them out into the world believing they’ll come walking back through that door. But too many parents in this country have been asked to carry a fear that should be unthinkable.

“I wanted to write from inside that moment, not from politics or statistics, but from the heart of a parent saying a prayer as their child walks through those doors. It’s one of the heavy hearts I found myself writing for on Songs for the Heavy Hearted. Folk music has always gone where people are hurting, and sometimes a song has to stand there with them and tell the truth. ‘First Day of School’ is a prayer, but it’s also a call to our conscience. A prayer should move us. Love should move us. Our children deserve the freedom to grow up.” — Chris Pierce

Track Credits:
Chris Pierce – Vocal, acoustic guitar
Stella Mozgawa – Drums
Reggie Hamilton – Bass
Doug Pettibone – Guitars
Gabe Witcher – Fiddle
Dave Palmer – Grand piano
Phil Parlapiano – Wurlitzer

Eli Paperboy Reed, “Like We Used To”

Artist: Eli Paperboy Reed
Hometown: A Boston native who has called Brooklyn home for the past two decades.
Song: “Like We Used To”
Album: Getting There (produced by Swamp Dogg)
Album Release Date: September 11, 2026
Label: Yep Roc Records

In Their Words: “This song has been kicking around for a minute, but it began to hit different for me as I entered the second decade of my marriage. This is a song about making time to make time. When work, school, childcare, doctor’s appointments and all the rest keep getting in the way, you have to remember the spark that started it all in the first place. For me, that’s remembering what it was like to be 23 years old and jumping in a borrowed car to race to Brooklyn from Boston after a certain someone requested my presence. With all that’s changed between then and now, that certain someone is still the same and so am I, sometimes it just takes a reminder.

“When Swamp and I first got together to talk about songs and plans, this is one of the early demos I played for him. He immediately began his trademark sway that indicates that the song is moving him, followed by the highest of Swamp Dogg praise – ‘That one’s a motherf*cker.'” — Eli Paperboy Reed

Track Credits:
Eli Paperboy Reed – Vocals and electric piano, songwriter
Michael “Ish” Montgomery – Bass, background vocals
Noah Rubin – Drums, percussion
Jonny Lam – Electric and acoustic guitar, steel guitar
Morgan Price – Saxophones
Carter Yasutake – Trumpet

Photo Credits: Gabriel Barreto (Chris Pierce); Kendall Rock (Humbird)