Tag: Langhorne Slim

The BGS Radio Hour – Episode 197

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

Welcome to the BGS Radio Hour! Since 2017, the show has been a weekly recap of all the great music, new and old, featured on BGS. This week we’ve got new releases from so many amazing artists on the roots scene today, from Luke Combs to Langhorne Slim to Sierra Hull! Remember to check back every Monday for a new episode of the BGS Radio Hour. 

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Luke Combs and Billy Strings – “The Great Divide”

Luke Combs, of country radio stardom, teams up with bluegrass-favorite Billy Strings this week for a new single. “The Great Divide” was written by the duo for Combs’s bluegrass album, one that he hasn’t completed yet. However, both artists agreed that the time to release this song was now, attempting to shine a light of hope in this tough time.

Allison Russell – “By Your Side”

Singer/frontwoman of the Birds of Chicago, Montréal-based Allison Russell brings this Sade cover to the show this week. What she calls an “endlessly expansive and inclusive song of love,” this song brings comfort to Russell – as it does to us, as well.

Jaelee Roberts – “Something You Didn’t Count On”

Nashville-based Jaelee Roberts is one of the quickest rising stars in bluegrass music. Her first single on Mountain Home Music Company, an original song co-written with Theo MacMillan (of Theo and Brenna), brings big promises of more great music to come.

Twisted Pine – “Amadeus Party”

A 5+5 guest this week is none other than Jim Olsen, president of Massachusetts record label Signature Sounds. Celebrating 25 years of the label, and the so many great artists presented by it, Olsen brings us the Golden Age playlist – which includes this jam from Twisted Pine.

Dale Ann Bradley – “Yellow Creek”

Kentucky-based Dale Ann Bradley brought us a new album this weekend! While you may remember her from former BGS Artist of the Month Sister Sadie – an all-female bluegrass supergroup – Bradley is stepping away from the band in 2021 to celebrate this new solo album, just one of so many in her extensive catalog.

Karen Matheson – “Glory Demon”

“Glory Demon” comes from Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. “It means war,” Matheson tells BGS. But, this is an anti-war song from the Scottish artist, one about how we never learn and life just keeps endlessly repeating itself.

Black Pumas – “Colors”

The Black Pumas are our February Artist of the Month here at BGS! You may recognize them from the Biden inauguration, where they performed this song from their 2019 self-titled album. Stayed tuned all month long, where we’ll be featuring exclusive content on the Black Pumas!

Langhorne Slim – “Mighty Soul”

This week on The Show On The Road podcast brings us a conversation with Sean Scolnick – known mostly by his alter-ego, Langhorne Slim. Host Z. Lupetin caught up with Slim to talk about his new album, Strawberry Mansion, creative funk, mental health, and more.

FRETLAND – “Could Have Loved You”

From Snohomish, Washington, Hillary Grace Fretland (of FRETLAND) catches up with BGS this week on a 5+5 segment – that is 5 questions, 5 songs. We talked favorite memories from being on stage, influences, and songwriting techniques.

Valerie June feat. Carla Thomas – “Call Me A Fool”

From her upcoming The Moon and the Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, Valerie June brings us this song that she dedicates to us all. Produced by June and Jack Splash – whose resume includes Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, and John Legend – this album makes it clear to June why she makes music.

Mike Barnett feat. Cory Walker – “Hybrid Hoss”

Nashville-based fiddler Mike Barnett brings us this Bill Monroe twist-up from his upcoming duets album, +1. The record was slated for a fall 2020 release, until Barnett suffered from an unexpected brain hemmorage. After multiple successful surgeries, he is doing well and recovering in extensive rehab where he is reconnecting his brain and fingers. So in listening to this piece of amazing music, let’s all send our best wishes to Mike Barnett and his family. You can support Mike Barnett’s recovery here.

Sierra Hull – “King of Anything (Live)”

From last year’s Whiskey Sour Happy Hour, this week we’re featuring Sierra Hull’s performance of this Sara Bareilles pop-hit. The Nashville-based singer and songwriter just released Weighted Mind (The Original Sessions), an EP made up of the demos for her 2016 release, Weighted Mind. 

Fort Frances – “Fits and Starts”

“Time traveled on a superhighway,” Chicago-based singer and songwriter tells BGS of the world before the pandemic, “but since March, we’ve all been in a traffic jam.” David McMillin of the group suggests that getting a break from all that movement is actually a good thing, however. This song is all about hitting that pause button.

Jon Stickley Trio – “Future Ghost”

The Jon Stickley Trio is one of the most exciting instrumental, “jamgrass” groups on the scene today. Made up of drums, flatpick guitar, and fiddle, they continue to push the boundaries of instrumental roots music, while being a festival favorite across the nation. This week, they bring us this new single on Organic Records.

Langhorne Slim – “Morning Prayer”

At the end of the Show On The Road podcast episode with Langhorne, he graced us with a performance of this song, accompanied by his cat, Mr. Beautiful. What better way to end this week’s show?

Photos: (L to R) Allison Russell by Francesca Cepero; Sierra Hull by Gina Binkley; Valerie June by Renata Raksha

The Show On The Road – Langhorne Slim

Posted on by Shelby Williamson

This week on The Show On The Road, a wide-ranging conversation with the peripatetic, Pennsylvania-born, confessional folk songwriter Sean Scolnick, who for the last fifteen years has become a troubadour truth-teller of the Americana circuit, amassing a devoted following performing as his many-hatted, impish alter-ego: Langhorne Slim.


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Host Z. Lupetin caught up with Slim to discuss his much awaited new LP, Strawberry Mansion (just released last week via Dualtone), which is named after the neighborhood in Philadelphia where both of his grandfathers grew up. Coming out of a deep creative funk, Slim produced a record of many entwined reckonings. A flurry of twenty-two diaristic sonic sketches, incantations, and emotive story-songs follow his struggle with mental illness, sometimes in real time, his pandemic isolation, and sobriety. It’s an overall hopeful collection that shows Langhorne may finally be finding his true calling on the other side of the darkness.

Sean Scolnick is never shy about revealing how his mental health and creativity are ever-evolving. Without playing the hundreds of international shows and festivals a year he normally does, Scolnick had to create at home in a new way. A note his therapist gave him still holds true, as he releases his newest record without being able to take his guitar and his trademark worn hat in public to support it: “When you’re freaking out, just play.”

Make sure you stick around ’til the end of the episode when Slim plays an acoustic rendition of “Morning Prayer,” joined briefly by his cat, Mr. Beautiful.

Photo credit: Harvey Robinson

Back 2 School with John C. Reilly, Mandy Moore in Photographs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

On Saturday, November 2, community-minded music fans from all across Southern California gathered at the Palace Theatre in Los Angeles for Back 2 School. The variety show, presented by Kensington Presents, the D’Addario Foundation, and BGS, benefited the D’Addario Foundation’s important work supporting music programs in underserved schools and communities. John C. Reilly, Jim James, Mandy Moore, Garfunkel & Oates, and many others took to the stage with our five-star house band — helmed by the Watkins Family Hour and Mike Viola — to share music, songs, and laughter to bolster the cause.

If you didn’t have the good fortune to be in attendance on Saturday night, check out the magic of Back 2 School (thanks in no small part to our stellar drum line) right here on BGS. Good news, too: You can give to the D’Addario Foundation at any time, wherever you are. Donate here.

Photos by Elli Lauren Photography and Harrison Pearl Photography as noted.
Lead photo: Harrison Pearl Photography

ANNOUNCING: BGS, D’Addario Foundation Plan L.A. Concert for School Music Programs

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Along with our partners The D’Addario Foundation, longtime champions for accessible music instruction, and Kensington Presents, BGS is proud to announce Back 2 School: Class of 2019, which will take place at Los Angeles’ historic Palace Theatre on November 2. The first event of this kind in Southern California, the money raised by the 501(c)(3) D’Addario Foundation will provide kids access to amazing music programs, provide college assistance scholarships, and encourage gender parity in music and guitar playing through D’Addario’s Girls In Music Initiative.

Back 2 School will feature house band and Los Angeles institution, The Watkins Family Hour, joined by acclaimed producer, songwriter, and artist Mike Viola. A world-class cast of musicians will join Sara and Sean Watkins and their collaborative Family Hour crew over the course of the evening. Prolific songwriter and My Morning Jacket frontman, Jim James, platinum-selling musician and Emmy-nominated actress Mandy Moore, silver screen troubadour John C Reilly, straight-shooting singer-songwriter LP, everyman Americana hero Langhorne Slim, Los Angeles’ own comedy-folk duo Garfunkel & Oates, six-string renaissance man Blake Mills, and one half of The Bird And The Bee, Inara George, will all take the stage to raise money for The D’Addario Foundation. Fans should keep an eye out for additional artist announcements in the coming weeks. Tickets, priced from $50 to $250, will be available on Friday, September 20th. Use code BACK2SCHOOL to purchase pre-sale tickets now.

VIP ticket options are also available for those who wish to upgrade their Back 2 School experience. VIP will include premium seating (center orchestra or first two rows of mezzanine), a VIP laminate, and a priority entry lane. Gold Circle VIP includes premium seating (first four rows of orchestra), a free drink/cocktail, an event poster, and the aforementioned VIP laminate and priority entry lane.

In addition to catching once-in-a-lifetime performances and collaborations among world-class musicians, Back 2 School attendees will be contributing directly to The D’Addario Foundation’s mission to put music education back in the forefront and into the lives of those who otherwise might not have these opportunities. “The bottom line is kids need lots more music as part of their education and your support makes that possible,” says D’Addario Foundation Executive Director, Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, emphasizing their mission statement. “We believe in the power of music to unlock creativity, boost self-confidence, and enhance academics. By making music education accessible, we can positively affect social change and foster better citizens of the world.” Purchase your tickets now.

WATCH: Langhorne Slim, “Life Is Confusing”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Langhorne Slim
Hometown: Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Song: “Life Is Confusing”
Album: Lost at Last, Vol. 1
Label: Dualtone

In Their Words: “In my opinion, one of the most profound and beautiful gifts of art and music is that we as individuals can be moved, even changed by the same song or painting for countless different reasons and all of ‘em are as real as the next. At the risk of sounding like an overly precious ass face, the real damn truth at least for me is that I have no actual idea where songs come from most of the time. I’ve always viewed it as being a vessel whose job for reasons I wouldn’t pretend to understand is to channel something that comes from somewhere else. It’s a difficult thing to articulate but most of my own favorite songs were essentially given to me. My only real contribution was to be open enough at that particular time to receive it and not get in its way.

“‘Life is Confusing’ is an almost perfect example of what I’m trying to get at. I don’t even fully remember writing it. What I do remember is driving home one day and getting a strong sense that a song was waiting for me. In my experience in situations like that, I lose track of time to the extent that I couldn’t tell you for sure if it took minutes or hours to write. Casey Jane was in town visiting and I remember her walking into the living room at some point and started to sing along with me.

“I knew immediately that I was gonna need her to come out to Stinson and record it with me and I had absolutely no conscious desire to write a song for she and I to sing together at that particular point… The song took on an undeniable new depth that made it far more powerful and personal, at least to me. I had thought without a doubt the song was about me and her and maybe it was but Trump was elected right around the time the record came out and I’ll just say I was very thankful I hadn’t submitted a quote for it.” –Langhorne Slim

“This was an interesting video to make. We would interview people around town, asking them about fireworks (it was around 4th of July) and other random topics to use out of context. Afterwards, we would explain what the purpose would really be. Most people were receptive to it, some were not pleased and really wished we were making a documentary on potholes.” –Joshua Shoemaker

Photo credit: Harvey Robinson

WATCH: Langhorne Slim, “Old Things”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Langhorne Slim
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Old Things”
Album: Lost At Last Vol. 1
Label: Dualtone Music Group, Inc.

In Their Words: “Here’s a new song about old things off of #LostatLastVol1 filmed with love by Wonderscope on Super 8mm in beautiful ol’ Lancaster, PA • I’ve always adored Super 8mm ~ It somehow makes things look the way I hope my music sounds. I was going for a Fats Domino meets Lee Hazlewood kinda tune here. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t sound like either… If ya got a minute and fifty-one seconds and ya dig old things too, check this puppy out – I hope you enjoy!” — Langhorne Slim

Photo credit: Harvey K Robinson

RECAP: The Brooklyn Country Cantina at SXSW 2017

Posted on by Editor

“This is one of the coolest, kindest, coziest, and vibey-ist things here at SXSW,” Langhorne Slim announced with a grin, as he kicked off this year’s Brooklyn Country Cantina, energizing the packed crowd that had come to enjoy the annual day-long party. The Cantina has been described by fans and musicians, alike, as a pilgrimage, a homecoming, and a reunion. In the madness of SXSW’s increasingly commercialized showcases fraught with exclusivity, the event is a welcome respite — a place to see your favorite Austin country band, discover a great new artist, and two-step under the stars. It’s a party to come to for the breakfast tacos and stay at ’til last call, all the while enjoying a full day of some of the best American roots music this country has to offer. 

Popular east side watering hole Licha’s Cantina hosts the event in a tiny, old, converted house with a canopy of trees and a porch out front perfect for margaritas, tacos, and foot-stomping music. Guests walk through the prep kitchen out back with corn tortillas cooking on an open flame and into the atmosphere of a house party with old friends.

In addition to Langhorne Slim, this year featured the Secret Sisters, Andrew Combs, the Deer, Lilly Hiatt, Valley Queen, Twain, and about two dozen more acts playing simultaneously on two stages. “It’s a little oasis in the craziness of the festival,” Michaela Anne shared after her set — the fourth year she’s played the event. “There are so many great acts back to back, you can just hang out here all day. It’s a real family-like vibe. And I get to see all my friends.”


Founded by Brooklyn country band the Defibulators and Austin musician/producer Daniel Roark, the Cantina began nine years ago as a backyard party at Rourke’s house on Austin’s south side where friends’ bands were invited to come play. It was a local stage of their own making during a festival they couldn’t officially get into, and that grassroots spirit has carried the Cantina into it’s ninth year. The party is still small (just 250 fit into Licha’s) and still free, which is important to the spirit of the day. Their aim has never been to make money, but rather to “create a party that our friends and favorite musicians would look forward to playing and hanging out at. And to help keep a foothold for progressive country music at a fest that’s typically dominated by rock and other genres.” It has evolved into a tradition that brings both locals and festival-goers back year after year. For some local folks, this is the only SXSW event they come to. They bring their kids and stay all day.

A mix of well-known acts and up-and-coming artists are invited to play, creating a place for touring musicians to play a killer gig in front of an engaged crowd and for local bands to be at the center of the action. “We always wanted to have Austin bands play,” said Jennings. “The local heroes playing the White Horse Saloon all year-round, we want to give them another platform to play for the out-of-towners, not have them feel like, when SX comes around, they’re ignored or not valued. Leo Rondeau, Croy & the Boys, Palomino Shakedown — they’ve all played multiple years, and they’re staples here. It’s really important to have the Austin country scene involved.”

When the night reached it’s a tequila-filled climax with closers the National Reserve, frontman Sean Walsh summed the party up: “The crowd here was really great, there was lots of dancing. Man, tonight was hot and fun. I love breaking a sweat.” 

Photo credit: Laura E. Partain

Get Off Your Ass: It’s April, Fools!

Posted on by Editor

Langhorne Slim with Sam Outlaw and Susto // Roxy Theater // April 29

Slim’s funky punk twist on country and folk is the leading lane in this packed highway of an evening full of country boys. Tickets

BGS Presents Birds of Chicago // Largo // April 6

Allison Russell and JT Nero bring together '60s soul, mountain gospel, and folk in a way that grooves so well that you know their live performances are on another level. Tickets

Noah Gundersen // The Hotel Café // April 6

Gundersen’s wistful vocals — accompanied by surging strings and melodic guitar and piano — are reminiscent of the best '90s indie music and bound to entrance any audience. Tickets

The SongBirds // The Hotel Café // April 13

Drawing a spotlight to the jazzy trios of the '20s, '30s, and '40s, the SongBirds are three talented women in their own right (Gaby Moreno, Erica Canales, and Dannielle DeAndrea) who form a unique time capsule of energetic and sliding harmonies. Tickets

Chris Stapleton // The Greek Theater // April 27

Without a doubt, the most unmissable act of the year, Stapleton snatched up several awards this year for his breakout solo album after years of hanging out behind the scenes. His wife Morgane is a talent in her own right and performs alongside Chris and, if you need more convincing, please just listen to their hauntingly special rendition of the old classic “You Are My Sunshine” on the new Southern Family LP. Tickets

Rayland Baxter // 3rd and Lindsley // April 7

Baxter has had quite the journey given his young age — his lulling guitar picks hit body-resonating notes that provide the perfect platform for his lyrics to ring out over. Tickets

Kelley McRae // Bluebird Café // April 10

McRae’s quiet storytelling is fed by a vocal tone that blazes an arrow path straight to the heart with its honesty, making her a perfect match with the legendary Bluebird for an evening marking the release of her newest album, The Wayside, out April 7. Tickets

We’re All for the Hall featuring Keith Urban and Vince Gill // Bridgestone Arena // April 12

Celebrating the sixth year of this star-studded benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, hosts Keith Urban and Vince Gill cover a range to bring together a seriously packed night with guests including Jason Isbell, Emmylou Harris, Peter Frampton, and Florida Georgia Line. Tickets

Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals // Ryman Auditorium // April 22

Reuniting yet again, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals funk up the Ryman with their soulful reggae-blues-rock hybrid sound promoting their new album, Call It What It Is. Tickets

Fireball Mail // Station Inn // April 30

The four members of Fireball Mail are deeply rooted in the bluegrass tradition (and have appeared with legendary names to prove it) honing in on accelerating harmonies and improvisation. Tickets

Pokey LaFarge (with the Cactus Blossoms) // Music Hall of Williamsburg // April 3

Prepare for an incredible evening filled with music that appears to have time traveled — LaFarge and his impressive band bring lively ragtime country to the stage after an Everly Brothers-esque opening act from the Cactus Blossoms. Tickets

Brooklyn Folk Festival // St. Ann’s Church // April 8-10

Filled with musical performances (Spirit Family Reunion, Feral Foster, the Downhill Strugglers, Roy Williams, and many, many more), workshops, film screenings, dancing, and an iconic banjo toss — there’s a whole lot to enjoy in the eighth year of this festival. Tickets

BGS Presents Sierra Hull // McKittrick Hotel // April 19

Hull is a young master of the mandolin benefitting from the best of bluegrass as her mentors and producers (that would be Alison Krauss and Béla Fleck). Catch her at this unique venue, the Heath, at the spooky speakeasy-esque McKittrick Hotel. Tickets

Julien Baker // Bowery Ballroom // April 27

Baker’s Memphis-born talent is making loads of waves with her debut, Sprained Ankle, showcasing her alarmingly heart-wrenching songwriting and stripped-bare sound. Tickets

Parker Millsap // Bowery Ballroom // April 29

Millsap has a voice that just as easily belts and growls as it does sail on a high, clear note trailing off into a soft vibrato. Pick up Millsap’s new album, The Very Last Day, and don’t miss his utterly electrifying performance. Tickets

Langhorne Slim and Jill Andrews, ‘Sea of Love’

Posted on by Editor

It's almost Valentine's Day, so the more starry-eyed of us BGS staffers are listening to way more love songs than usual. It's perfect timing, then, to premiere "Sea of Love," a new song from Langhorne Slim and Jill Andrews. The pair wrote the song together, but never planned to record it. The lyrics tell of a chance meeting, a handmade boat, and, well, sailing off into a sea of love. Romantic, huh?

"The incredible Jill Andrews and I wrote this tune together about a year ago," Slim says. "We couldn't get it out of our heads, so we decided to record it a few weeks back. It's called 'Sea of Love' and we've got it here to share with y'all. Hope ya dig it as much as we do!”

Look for "Sea of Love" on iTunes this Friday, February 12.

Gig Bag: Langhorne Slim

Posted on by Editor

Welcome to Gig Bag, a new BGS feature that peeks into the touring essentials of some of our favorite artists. For this inaugural feature, we look at what Langhorne Slim has to have handy when he's out on the road. Check out Langhorne's picks, and scroll down to see when Langhorne Slim & the Law hit a town near you.

Martin 000-15
For years, I've been a Martin man and recently have fallen in love with smaller-bodied guitars — this one is sweet as hell and has been a great road companion.

Stetson Limited Edition Stetson x Langhorne Hat
I just had the crazy honor of designing my dream hat with Stetson. This has been amazing for many reasons — one is that it makes figuring out which hat to take on the road a lot easier. [More info on the Stetson x Langhorne hat here.]

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
On this trip, I brought The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Bob Dylan's Chronicles — it's always good to read about adventures while you're on your own adventure.

Langhorne Slim & the Law 2016 Tour Dates
1/18  Wonder Ballroom @ Portland, OR*
1/19  Neumos @ Seattle, WA*
1/31  Cayamo Cruise @ Miami, FL (Solo Show) 
2/10  TLA @ Philadelphia, PA**
2/11  Terminal 5 @ New York, NY**
2/12  House of Blues @ Boston, MA**
2/13  9:30 Club @ Washington, DC**
2/14  9:30 Club @ Washington, DC**
4/01  Savannah Music Festival @ Savannah, GA
4/30  Stagecoach Festival @ Indio, CA
 

Lede photo courtesy of All Eyes Media