WATCH: Cole Quest and The City Pickers, “The Bitcoin Gambler”

Artist: Cole Quest and The City Pickers
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Song: “The Bitcoin Gambler”
Album Title: Self [En]Titled EP
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Label: Omnivore

In Their Words: “As a software engineer by day, a folk musician by night, and someone who lost a chunk of money in the Bitcoin crash of 2018, I felt I had a unique connection to this modern day dilemma. I wanted to write a song that would show the parallels of this moment to the gambling sagas folks have been telling for hundreds of years. First came the melody line written on guitar, and the rest of the song wrote itself in a matter of minutes. As the band laid down the tracks, I fell in love with the ending of the recording. You can hear how each musician found their own wonderfully unique voicing to this melody. As I was writing the song, I found myself reflecting on things that are important. Surely, gambling a few dollars was nothing to worry about, especially in contrast to the problems created by an ill-equipped fool in the White House.” — Cole Quest


Photo credit: James Salzano

WATCH: Charley Crockett, “Welcome to Hard Times”

Artist: Charley Crockett
Hometown: San Benito, Texas / Austin, Texas
Song: “Welcome to Hard Times”
Album: Welcome to Hard Times
Release Date: July 31, 2020 (album)
Label: Son of Davy/Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “‘Welcome To Hard Times’ is about the viewpoint of society from an outcast’s perspective. The hobo who prefers to skirt by Sin City taking it in as he passes by its outskirts. Inevitably we are compelled to play the game. In America today everyone understands the casino and that when you’re in it you have to play by the house rules. I’m a nameless drifter at the end of the day. Forced to roll the dice and get that money, but the dollar doesn’t own me. I think anybody can relate to that hustle.” — Charley Crockett


Photo credit: Bobby Cothran