BGS 5+5: Sam Burchfield
If Sam Burchfield hadn’t heard Van Halen or seen O Brother, Where Art Thou? would he be a professional Lego builder today instead of a singer-songwriter? Find out in our 5+5.
Features
Tending to Fires,
Getting to Truth
Waiting for inspiration is “a fool’s errand,” says singer-songwriter Caitlin Canty. But as long as her creative embers glow, she will mind their flames.
Arts and Culture
Our Readers’ Campfire Stories for Scary Season
Spooky stories loom large in bluegrass, old-time, and Americana music. For the season, we asked our readers to submit their eerie roots music writings.
Features
Guitarist Ben Garnett’s New Album Transcends the Instrument
Combining jazz, bluegrass, and folk, the original songs of Kite’s Keep are guitar-born, but not guitar-centered.
Heather Aubrey Lloyd’s Guide to Murder Ballad Survival
Born on Halloween, singer-songwriter Heather Aubrey Lloyd’s fascination with murder ballads and their gender dynamics was perhaps inevitable.
What Is a Cowboy Ballad?
And, what changes about this classic format when it crosses the Atlantic – and back again? We asked Scottish balladeer Sam Shackleton to explain.
BGS 5+5: Meredith Moon
What better way to get to know an artist than with five songs and five questions?
You Gotta Hear This: Lonesome River Band, The Prickly Pair, and More
Each week, we collect the best bluegrass, country, and roots music in our new music and premiere round-up.
Mumford & Sons Continue to Matter, In Americana and Beyond
From their hit debut in 2009 to their latest, 2025’s Rushmere, what is it about this iconic band that felt so fresh then and still appeals today?
25 Years of Greensky Bluegrass Connecting the Dots
The jamgrass outfit’s new album, XXV, is just the latest moment in a remarkable and fateful quarter-century journey.
Country Stars
Country Songwriters
Often, the biggest stars in country are the genre’s most adored and respected songwriters, too.
How “Guidelines” Made Madison Cunningham’s Ace Feel Totally Free
As she shares in our Cover Story, “This is what I’ve always wanted to make. This sounds like me.”
BGS 5+5: Olivia Barton
What do Carole King, Julia Child, and Charli XCX have in common? They’re all beloved by singer-songwriter Olivia Barton, our guest for a 5+5 interview.
Ray LaMontagne After 20 Years of Trouble
We spoke to LaMontagne about the 20th anniversary of his break-out album and how it feels at this juncture to look back – and look ahead.
“Ohana Means Family”
to Ohana Music, Too
Makers of first-rate ukuleles and custom instruments, we spoke to Ohana Music about their family story, their new electric bass offering, the ukulele community, and much more.
You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Brit Taylor, Benson, and More
Country, bluegrass, blues, and more come together in our weekly round-up of the best new and upcoming music releases.
Outlaw Country That’ll Make You Smile
Dylan Earl makes punk-hearted, poetic country that’s “old school,” but still looks to the future – and sticks it to the man.
A Musical, The Porch on Windy Hill, Tells an Impactful Story with Bluegrass and Old-Time
Playing off-Broadway through October 12, the original show reckons with trauma, race, and family with classic songs from the folk, bluegrass, and old-time canons.
Hilary Hawke is a Banjoist Who Does It All
Our interview gets into her teaching at Columbia University, playing on Broadway, hosting a podcast, and her new album, Lift Up This Old World.
BGS 5+5: We Met In June
Get to know Nordic Americana singer-songwriter duo We Met In June with five songs and five questions in our BGS 5+5.
Jack Schneider’s
Songs of Hope and Healing
A near-death experience a handful of years ago changed guitarist and songwriter Jack Schneider fundamentally. These are some of the songs that serve as anchors during his darkest times.
