(Editor’s Note: Indie-folk singer-songwriter Max McNown released his anticipated new album, Night Diving, on January 24. Only 23 years old, McNown is a bit of a social media sensation, his energetic and passionate songs having already garnered millions of streams, fans, and listeners. To celebrate Night Diving, he has curated a Mixtape for BGS that pays tribute to the beautiful natural locales of his Oregon and Pacific Northwest homelands. Enjoy a playlist adventure into the Northwestern Woods with Max McNown.)
These are the songs that inspired me to go on late night drives to the Oregon coast with the windows down, feeling the breeze funnel across my face while I sing every word at the top of my lungs. – Max McNown
“The Stable Song” – Gregory Alan Isakov
I first heard this in the movie ThePeanut Butter Falcon. The song, coupled with the adventurous feel to the movie, makes it one of my favorite camping songs.
“By and By” – Caamp
Due to similar vocal tone, this song is one I feel confident belting with the volume high on a late night drive.
“Vagabond” – Caamp
The folky nature of this song fits perfectly with the Mount Hood National Forest scenery.
“Flowers In Your Hair” – The Lumineers
When I discovered this song, I had just found a path I could drive down to reach the coast, directly onto the sand. This song will forever remind me of the sunset that evening.
“Big Black Car” – Gregory Alan Isakov
I play this song on repeat when hiking on the Columbia River Gorge.
“Angela” – The Lumineers
This is one of the first songs I’ve ever tired learning on the guitar & will always remind me of my parents’ place in Oregon.
“Amsterdam” – Gregory Alan Isakov
One of the many songs by Gregory Alan Isakov that makes me feel like I’m in the Northwestern woods when I feel homesick.
“Late to the Fire” – Sam Burchfield
Sam Burchfield, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated artists on the scene. There aren’t many other songs filled with as much nostalgia for my younger years than this one.
“Forever” – Noah Kahan
“Forever” is the most influential song in my songwriting journey. Noah’s folkiness and Northeastern upbringing fits the theme well.
“Northern Attitude” – Noah Kahan
I’ve experienced the northern attitude on the other side of the country, and found this song to be very relatable to me and inspirational.
Wherever you are on this wintry week, we hope our collection of roots music premieres warms you all the way up. We expect it will!
In this edition of our premiere roundup, don’t miss a brand new track from stupendous string trio, The Devil Makes Three, who debuted “Ghosts Are Weak” from their upcoming album on Wednesday on BGS. Plus, there’s straight-ahead bluegrass to be found, too, from Tyler Grant, who pays homage to a towering train bridge on “Goat Canyon Trestle.”
Singer-songwriter Bre Kennedy has reimagined “Before I Have a Daughter,” a song co-written with Lori McKenna about breaking generational cycles, healing, and motherhood. (A theme shared with another premiere this week.) And, Tobacco & Rose repurpose a love song infused with a Buddhist twist with their new track, “Tara.”
In the mood for some music videos? Catch Leslie Jordan’s new video for a Sarah McCracken co-write, “The Fight,” that also grapples with parenthood, discipline, and family. And, the sensational Max McNown brings us the video for the title track for his brand new album, Night Diving, which releases today.
Just in time to shepherd out the once-in-a-lifetime blizzards across the Deep South, Miss Tess showcases her music video for “Louisiana,” a centerpiece of her upcoming album, Cher Rêve. Then Sarah Quintana, who calls New Orleans home, brings us down the road to the Big Easy with an artful music video made with Kat Sotelo for the title track of her soon-to-be-released project, BABY DON’T.
It’s all right here on BGS and, you know the drill – You Gotta Hear This!
The Devil Makes Three, “Ghosts Are Weak”
Artist:The Devil Makes Three Hometown: Santa Cruz, California Song: “Ghosts Are Weak” Album:Spirits Release Date: January 22, 2025 (single); February 28, 2025 (album) Label: New West Records
In Their Words: “‘Ghosts Are Weak’ is about breaking free from destructive habits and patterns. It reflects on how leaving behind a substance or lifestyle often comes with losing certain friends along the way…” – Pete Bernhard
Artist:Tyler Grant Hometown: Boulder, Colorado Song: “Goat Canyon Trestle” Album:Flatpicker Release Date: January 24, 2025 (single); March 28, 2025 (album) Label: Grant Central Records
In Their Words: “The largest wooden trestle ever built still stands in the Mojave Desert of eastern San Diego County. I wrote this uptempo bluegrass song to tell the story of the trestle and the ‘Impossible Railroad,’ which was conceived by sugar and shipping magnate John D. Spreckels in 1906 and completed in 1919. History songs are tricky and I am very proud of this one. It will tickle the ears of any enthusiast of the classic railroad songs. I furnish some Doc Watson-style flatpicking and Michael Daves delivers on the hot tenor vocal part. The moral of the story is, if you take on the desert, it will always win.” – Tyler Grant
Track Credits: Tyler Grant – Guitar, lead vocal Andy Thorn – Banjo Adrian “Ace” Engfer – Bass Dylan McCarthy – Mandolin Andy Reiner – Violin Michael Daves – Harmony vocal
Leslie Jordan, “The Fight”
Artist:Leslie Jordan Hometown: Johnson City, Tennessee Song: “The Fight” Album:The Agonist Release Date: April 25, 2025
In Their Words: “‘The Fight’ was written with Sandra McCracken on her back porch in September of 2023. When I read the piece that my grandfather wrote with the same title, I knew I had to save it for my co-write with Sandra. I have long admired Sandra’s ability to tell a story in her songs with honesty and raw vulnerability. I knew she could help me capture the true intention of this piece. It is heartbreaking. Gut-wrenching. A mother’s internal dialogue after she loses control and hits her son. We sat for a while and chatted through what we thought was really happening in the story, how it made us feel, and then I started playing the chord progression you hear. The story my grandfather wrote begins with these two lines:
‘The rebellion was over, and she had sent him to wash-up. There comes a time when children must be made to realize limitations and authority.’
“Sandra immediately started scribbling in her notebook and turned it around to show me.
‘The rebellion was over She sent him to wash his hands She tried to reason with him But he could not understand There comes a time when you find the limit’
“I started singing the words along to the chords and it felt like we had caught lightning in a bottle. I was also very excited to have my friend Brittney Spencer lend her incredible vocals on this song! When she heard it, she immediately had an idea that would lift the chorus. She really brought the song to another level.” – Leslie Jordan
Track Credits: Leslie Jordan – Acoustic guitar, vocals Brittney Spencer – BGVs Kenneth Pattengale – Guitar Harrison Whitford – Resonator guitar Daniel Rhine – Upright bass Joachim Cooder – Drums, percussion Evan Vidar – Pump organ
Video Credit: By Jake Dahm. Edited by Leslie Jordan.
Bre Kennedy, “Before I Have A Daughter” (featuring Lori McKenna)
Artist:Bre Kennedy Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Before I Have a Daughter” featuring Lori McKenna Release Date: January 24, 2025 Label: Nettwerk Music Group
In Their Words: “I am so excited to share this version of my song ‘Before I Have a Daughter’ with the one and only Lori McKenna. I wrote this song with Lori a few years back after small talk that led to a conversation about me not knowing my mother, who struggled with addiction as I grew up, and wanting to get to know her and heal with her before I have a daughter. Writing this song was the beginning of a healing journey with not only my mother, but with myself. [It’s] how I have learned to have grace and appreciation for my journey, as well as hers. This song continues to grow with me in real time and I am so honored I get to share this version with Lori with you all from where I am on my journey now.” – Bre Kennedy
Max McNown, “Night Diving”
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Song: “Night Diving” Album:Night Diving Release Date: January 24, 2025 Label: Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard
In Their Words: “We stepped into the writing room and Erin [McCarley] asked, ‘What’s something in your life that you keep fighting and can’t seem to overcome?’ ‘Night Diving’ became the answer to that question – it’s a song that addresses addiction and I think it’ll resonate with people on a lot of different levels. The ‘Night Diving’ song and video contain the deepest waters of symbolism I’ve created to date.” – Max McNown
Track Credits: Jedd Hughes – Electric guitar Todd Lombardo – Acoustic guitar, mandolin, additional electric guitar Jamie Kenney – Bass, acoustic guitars, additional electric guitars, drum programming Aaron Sterling –Drums Max McNown – Lead vocals, background vocals
Miss Tess, “Louisiana”
Artist:Miss Tess Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee Song: “Louisiana” Album:Cher Rêve Release Date: January 24, 2025 (single); February 7, 2025 (album)
In Their Words: “‘Louisiana’ was the first song inspiration for my new album Cher Rêve, coming out February 7. It was deep in the pandemic and I had reached a point where I was really missing traveling, friends, live music, and dancing. I became fixated on my memories of basking in the Cajun culture of South Louisiana (Lafayette & Eunice, mainly during the Blackpot Festival and music camp), and started to write a song about it.
“My excellent co-writer friend and fellow Blackpot visitor, Maya de Vitry, helped me work on it for about six hours one day while she was house-sitting. Since it was a challenging time to hang out with people in person, we finished it over the next month via email. It is one of my favorite songs on the album and really sums up my feelings and nostalgia for being down there, playing and enjoying music beneath the tall Louisiana pines. I am thankful this recording includes the talents of so many amazing Lafayette-area musicians, including Joel Savoy (fiddle + studio engineer), Trey Boudreaux (bass), and our dear friend Chris Stafford (Wurlitzer), who passed away tragically this past May.” – Miss Tess
Track Credits: Thomas Bryan Eaton – Electric guitar, vocals Joel Savoy – Fiddle Miss Tess – Vocals, guitar Kelli Jones – Vocals Chris Stafford – Wurlitzer Trey Boudreaux – Bass Matt Meyer – Drums
Sarah Quintana, “baby, don’t”
Artist:Sarah Quintana Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana Song: “baby, don’t” Album:BABY DON’T Release Date: January 24, 2025 (single); March 28, 2025 (album)
In Their Words: “Kat Sotelo is the amazing performance artist and videographer behind this video. She designed and executed the concept, built the set, and asked the band to wear blue jeans. We wanted the first single to feel like something off The Ed Sullivan Show in the ’60s with a live performance lip-sync and vintage transitions. Silly moments of stop-motion animation flaunt Adrienne Battistella’s stunning band photos.
“I love Kat Sotelo’s work. She is a longtime friend and collaborator and my muse. She is a lovely human, creative powerhouse and inspiration to us all! She and I have been working together since my first project, Mama Mississippi, in 2012. Thanks for this adorable video, Kat!” – Sarah Quintana
Track Credits: Cello: Chris Beroes-Haigis – Cello Drums: Rose Cangelosi – Drums Saxophone: Rex Gregory – Saxophone Sousaphone: Jason Jurzak – Sousaphone Recorded by Justin Tockett at Dockside Studios
Video Credit: Video and set design by Kat Sotelo, photography by Adrienne Battistella.
Tobacco & Rose, “Tara”
Artist:Tobacco & Rose Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Song: “Tara” Release Date: January 31, 2025 (single)
In Their Words: “‘Tara’ is a repurposed love song. The initial melody and lyrics were inspired by a crush that subsided as quickly as it appeared, but I was inspired to revive the song after following along to some guided Tara meditations. The Buddhist deity, Tara, is known for her compassion, but also for her encouragement to action. So I dedicate it to her, and, in fact, the writing of this song spurred into action the completion of my record, as it was the last song I wrote for it, and a standout track at that. I love this song, in part for the unusual wide guitar voicings that I got from my viola studies as a teenager, and for the melody that soars into head voice at the end of the chorus. And lyrically, I treat this song as a Buddhist-themed reminder for myself to stay awake and aware, and to treat all challenges, afflictions, and aversions as opportunities to get better at human being.” – Richard Moody
Track Credits: Richard Moody – Guitar, vocals, strings, keyboards Joey Smith – Bass
Photo Credit: Max McNown by Nate Griffin; Miss Tess by Jo Vidrine.
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Latest Album:Wandering Personal Nicknames (or rejected band names): Almost went by Max Winter (Winter is my middle name)!
What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?
My pre-show rituals remain somewhat consistent from show to show. I stay hydrated throughout the day leading up to soundcheck and I typically take it easy on my voice while I rehearse the songs (because I haven’t warmed up at that point). Post-soundcheck, I rest in the green room and use a steam inhaler to clear my sinuses before letting my vocal cords cool down from the heat for at least 30 minutes. After that, I kill time until around 30 minutes before I hit the stage, occupying myself with iPhone games to distract me from the pre-show nerves. At 20 minutes before the show I do a 10 minute vocal routine. At the 10 minute mark I call a circle with my band and say a prayer of thankfulness, asking that whatever happens, we impact the crowd for good. Minutes before stepping on the stage I conduct a box breathing exercise to slow my heart rate, and I’m off to the races!
If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?
Growing up, I leaned on music to get me through some of my most difficult moments. If I could summarize my “mission” it would be to return that healing… To repay what music has done for me to those who hear my own songs.
How often do you hide behind a character in a song or use “you” when it’s actually “me”?
Considering nearly all my songs are directly influenced by my own life, I hide behind characters often. I purposefully keep it vague when discussing which lines in which songs are fully “true stories.” Some of the most impactful films of my life are “based on a true story” and I take that knowledge into every writing room. Occasionally I take liberties when storytelling, but a lot of my work is pretty accurate to my own life journey.
Does pineapple really belong on pizza?
Considering Hawaiian-style pizza is one of my favorite foods, I strongly believe if you enjoy the taste, you can put whatever you want on pizza!
If you were a color, what shade would you be – and why?
If I were a color I’d have to think I’d be my favorite one, forest green… Simply because of my upbringing in the lush Oregon trees, my green eyes, and my love for nature!
This week, banjoist and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member John McEuen kicks off our You Gotta Hear This round up with a track from his brand new album, The Newsman: A Man of Record. Check out his adaptation of a Robert Service poem, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” below.
Plus, we’ve got track premieres from gritty country outfit Tylor & the Train Robbers, from Claire Lynch singing Tom Paxton for an upcoming album, Bluegrass Sings Paxton, from the Stetson Family contemplating mortality, and from the Onlies a rendering of a classic old-time ballad.
Don’t miss our video premiere from Max McNown, too, which posted to BGS just yesterday. It’s all right here and, if we do say so ourselves, You Gotta Hear This!
John McEuen, “The Cremation of Sam McGee”
Artist:John McEuen Hometown: Oakland, California Song: “The Cremation of Sam McGee” Album:The Newsman: A Man of Record Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Compass Records
In Their Words: “Using sound effects, music I composed, and some ‘recording tricks’ with instruments, I concocted the back up for one of my favorite poems, ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee.’ My (late) older sister would sometimes tell her 8-10 year old brother, me, this favorite Robert Service poem from 1906, captivating me with the story of a place unknown. I later found it in my high school English book and fell in love with it again. It takes me away to that strange time in these miners’ lives, and while starting kind of morose, manages (in my opinion, anyway) to reach a ‘happy ending’ with Sam finally getting warm! Trying to make the ‘definitive’ version of this classic was a challenge. It is one of my best ‘works.’ I am hoping each time a listeners hears it they will hear something different show up in the mix, as I planned it to be ‘with surprises’ like that.” – John McEuen
Claire Lynch, “I Give You The Morning” (by Tom Paxton)
Artist:Claire Lynch from Bluegrass Sings Paxton Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Song: “I Give You The Morning” Album:Bluegrass Sings Paxton Release Date: April 12, 2024 (Single) Label: Mountain Home Music Company
In Their Words: “Claire Lynch has one of the most recognizable and expressive voices in bluegrass. We knew we wanted to have that voice on the album and her choice of ‘I Give You The Morning’ was a great call — it’s got an old-fashioned ballad construction, a deliciously unusual yet natural rhythm to the first lines in each verse, a captivating melodic rise in the refrain, and an evocative lyric. And, the band has just the right balance of strength and delicacy to complement those same qualities in her approach. It’s a performance that brings out so many aspects of what makes Tom Paxton’s songs so memorable, and I can’t think of a better way to introduce this project to listeners!” – Jon Weisberger, co-producer
“Since the early 1960s, when bluegrass and the emergent folk revival first crossed paths, arguably no songwriter from the latter world has seen more of their songs adopted by the former than Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Tom Paxton. From early covers of his epochal ‘The Last Thing On My Mind’ by Bluegrass Hall of Famers, The Dillards and the Kentucky Colonels, to regular performances of ‘Leaving London’ by IBMA Entertainer of the Year Billy Strings, to Ashby Frank’s version of ‘Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound,’ which landed a place among the 30 most-played tracks on bluegrass radio in 2023, Paxton’s creative visions have echoed in bluegrass studios, on bluegrass stages and in bluegrass jam sessions for generations.
“Now a broad-ranging group of artists in and around bluegrass are paying explicit tribute to this vital legacy in a new Mountain Home Music Company collection — Bluegrass Sings Paxton — that places these classic songs alongside less familiar, but no less finely crafted material from the Tom Paxton songbook, including new songs written especially for the project.” – Mountain Home Music Company
Track Credits: Claire Lynch – Lead vocal Darren Nicholson – Mandolin, octave mandolin Deanie Richardson – Fiddle Chris Jones – Acoustic guitar Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo Nelson Williams – Upright bass
Tylor & the Train Robbers, “Workin Hands”
Artist:Tylor & the Train Robbers Hometown: Boise, Idaho Song: “Workin Hands” Album:Hum of the Road Release Date: April 12, 2024 (single); May 3, 2024 (album)
In Their Words: “I wrote this one around a guitar riff I had been playing with for a while. The riff is busy, but something about it stuck in my head and I decided to write a song to match it. I wanted to keep the intensity of that guitar part and extend to every instrument in the band, pushing us all musically. Everyone in the band worked to find the right parts that brought it all together. The vibe is inspired by bands like Barefoot Jerry and the Amazing Rhythm Aces, it’s unpredictable and keeps you on your toes. It’s definitely not a song I would ask someone to sit in with us on unless they came prepared, but it’s become a favorite for us to play live. I think it really showcases the musicianship of everyone in the band.” — Tylor Ketchum
Track Credits:
Tylor Ketchum – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar Jason Bushman – Bass Guitar and Harmony Vocals Tommy Bushman – Drums and Harmony Vocals Rider Soran – Lap Steal Guitar Johnny Pisano – Electric Guitar Cody Braun – Hand Claps and percussion Katy Braun – Hand Claps Jonathan Tyler – Hand Claps and percussion
Recorded at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberley, Texas. Producer – Cody Braun Engineer – Adam Odor Mixed by Jonathan Tyler. Mastered by Adam Odor.
The Stetson Family, “Make Me Ashes”
Artist:The Stetson Family Hometown: Melbourne, Australia Song: “Make Me Ashes” Album:The Stars, If You Look Closely Release Date: April 19, 2024
In Their Words: “‘When it’s time to meet my maker, come the fire or the hole…’ – the words ‘fire or the hole’ come from a conversation I had with a woman who was the owner of a Vietnamese restaurant in Melbourne where my family and I went every Wednesday night for many years. When my mum passed away, Lisa, the lovely Vietnamese owner, asked me in broken English, ‘Does your mum have the fire or the hole?’ Meaning, ‘Will she be cremated or buried?’ I loved her humble way of asking, it was so heartfelt. It got me thinking about when it’s my time, will I have the fire or the hole? This song lets people know I’ve chosen the fire.” – Nadine Budge
Track Credits: Nadine Budge – Writer, lead vocal, rhythm guitar, resonator guitar John Bartholomeusz – guitar, harmonies Colin Swan – banjo, harmonies Greg Field – fiddle, mandolin, harmonies Luke Richardson – double bass, harmonies
The Onlies, “Matty Groves”
Artist:The Onlies Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee; Durham, North Carolina; Whitesburg, Kentucky Song: “Matty Groves” Release Date: April 12, 2024
In Their Words: “A couple years ago, our friend Sonya Badigian sent a recording of Doc Watson playing this song and recommended we learn it as a band. Before going into the studio, Leo spent many weeks singing the long, epic poem which tells the story of Matty Groves stealing Lord Daniel’s wife and the dramatic duel that later ensues. This story dates back to 17th century Northern England, closely related to Child ballad #81, ‘Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.’ When we got together to work up an arrangement, a driving fiddle melody emerged to accompany the lyrics. We recorded it late at night in a small studio in Eunice, Louisiana, with the help of incredible engineer Joel Savoy and the unmistakable bass groove of Nokosee Fields.” – Sami Braman
Track Credits: Leo Shannon – lead vocal and guitar Vivian Leva – harmony vocal and guitar Sami Braman – fiddle Riley Calcagno – banjo Nokosee Fields – bass
Max McNown, “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering”
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Song: “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering” Album:Wandering Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard
In Their Words: “‘Worry ‘Bout My Wandering’ was probably the most difficult song for me to write as it’s so personal. It came from being far away from my family and thinking about my mom and wondering how she feels about my life and the direction it’s taken. Shooting the video in my beautiful home state of Oregon was very important to me… I just always want to make my family and hometown proud.” – Max McNown
Artist:Max McNown Hometown: Bend, Oregon Song: “Worry ‘Bout My Wandering” Album:Wandering Release Date: April 12, 2024 Label: Fugitive Recordings x The Orchard
In Their Words: “‘Worry ‘Bout My Wandering’ was probably the most difficult song for me to write as it’s so personal. It came from being far away from my family and thinking about my mom and wondering how she feels about my life and the direction it’s taken. Shooting the video in my beautiful home state of Oregon was very important to me… I just always want to make my family and hometown proud.” – Max McNown
Track Credits:
Produced by AJ Pruis. Recorded by AJ Pruis at The Chambers, Thompson’s Station, TN. Editing by AJ Pruis. Programming & Arrangement by AJ Pruis. Mixed by John Nathaniel. Mastered by Sam Moses.
AJ Pruis – Bass Drew Belk – Guitars, pedal steel, Dobro Mike Walker – BGVs
Photo Credit: Benjamin Edwards
Video Credits: Directed by Benjamin Edwards
Produced by Hayden W. Larson
B Camera – Micah Reimer
Gaffer – Parker Edwards
Edit / Grade – Edwards Media Co
Set – Neon Toast
Guitar – Parker Edwards
Percussion – Emmanuel Kahn
Filmed on location in Oregon.
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