Artist:Jeremy Squires Hometown: New Bern, North Carolina Song: “Juniper” Album:Hymnal Release Date: October 14, 2022 Label: Blackbird Record Label
In Their Words: “This song is about life playing out in front of my eyes. Watching my childhood, my ex-wife’s childhood and my kids’ lives change as they grow up and their lives flash before my eyes and ultimately realizing that people change, evolve and sometimes people can’t escape their trauma. It’s a sad but beautiful metaphor about two people in love fading and morphing into something beautiful. When writing this song I wanted it to feel just as clear as the imagery I tried to create in my lyrics from my memories. I truly wanted this song to be something that anyone could relate to in some way.” — Jeremy Squires
Artist:Jeremy Squires Hometown: New Bern, North Carolina Song: “Fade” Album:UNRAVEL Release Date: July 30, 2021 Label: Blackbird Record Label
In Their Words: “‘Fade’ is about facing yourself and revisiting memories and/or demons and coming to terms with them. There were so many things going through my head when I wrote this song. My grandmother had passed and my life was changing and the people around me were changing and spiraling. I was faced with difficult life choices I had to make and this song was an outlet.
“The video for ‘Fade’ was filmed at various locations in my hometown and in a small neighboring town. I filmed multiple scenes in my granny’s old home that she left to me. I feel the lyrics reflect the imagery in the video. I filmed a specific scene as I burned a life’s worth of papers and collected memories outside in her yard one night with an old crutch and it was cathartic. ‘Fade’ is one of my favorite videos and I feel that it is one of the best songs on the album. It is definitely one that I am connected to.” — Jeremy Squires
On the national music scene, North Carolina sets itself apart by blending the heritage of traditional roots music with the innovation of modern indie and Americana sounds. The bluegrass canon of North Carolina encompasses pioneers like Charlie Poole and Earl Scruggs, as well as groundbreaking musicians like Elizabeth Cotten, Alice Gerrard, and Doc Watson. Today’s spectrum of talent spans from modern favorites such as Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Balsam Range, and Steep Canyon Rangers, and the progressive perspective of the Avett Brothers, Rhiannon Giddens, Mandolin Orange, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mipso, and many more.
One example of how the state is merging past with present is the recent opening of North Carolina’s only vinyl pressing plant — Citizen Vinyl in Asheville.
According to press materials, the building’s third floor played host to Asheville’s historic WWNC (“Wonderful Western North Carolina”) which was once considered the most popular radio station in the United States. In 1927, the station hosted live performances by Jimmie Rodgers and made his first recordings shortly before he went to Bristol, Tennessee. In 1939, the station featured the first ever live performance by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys during its Mountain Music Time segment. Citizen Vinyl expects to keep the live music tradition alive in this former newspaper building, too.
Here at BGS, we’ve been committed to North Carolina music from our launch, notably with our Merlefest Late Night Jams, which are always worth staying up for. And how much do we love the IBMA World of Bluegrass week in Raleigh? Looking back on our archive, we gathered these songs from the artists we’ve covered over the years — and looking ahead, you’ll see all-new interviews with the Avett Brothers and Mipso, examine the classic country stars with roots in North Carolina, and spotlight some rising talent with video performances at the state’s most scenic destinations.
In the meantime, you can discover more about the North Carolina music scene through their website and on Instagram at @comehearnc
Editor’s note: This content brought to you in part by our partners at Crossroads Label Group.
Artist:Jeremy Squires Hometown: New Bern, North Carolina Song: “Cast Spells” Album:Many Moons Release Date: August 28, 2020 Label: Blackbird Record Label
In Their Words: “When I wrote ‘Cast Spells,’ I had originally intended for it to be an acoustic song and a duet. Over time I felt the song could be opened up more and I started playing around with different soundscapes and textures. Ultimately the song evolved into what it is now. ‘Cast Spells’ is one of my favorite songs on the record and tells a poetic truth from a haunting perspective.” — Jeremy Squires
Photo credit: Shelley Squires
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