Tag: new music Friday

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Sweet Petunia, Big Richard, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Your weekly dose of new music is here! You Gotta Hear This.

We’ve got a couple of brand new music videos, leading off with Big Richard absolutely smashing a David Olney song, “Millionaire.” To say the track is apropos for this moment in time would be a laughable understatement. The string band/bluegrass supergroup give it their signature impassioned treatment, with energy, conviction, and musicality. Their new music video for the just-released single was shot in and around Salt Lake City. Plus, Boston-based alt-folk duo Sweet Petunia bring us a new music video, as well. Their new, stark indie folk track “Grub” is set to a delightful animated, stop-motion, hand-drawn music video. The song explores identity, embodiment, beauty, and pain, and holds space for solidarity for trans and gender-nonconforming folks.

You’ll also find a music video for Michael Haney’s new cover of a Bruce Springsteen song, “Brilliant Disguise,” rich in Americana rock ‘n’ roll. Haney knew he wanted to record the number because of how it “speaks directly to the heart of the human condition.” Singer-songwriter Kirby Lyle picks up the same mantle on the title track for his brand new EP, Change Is Hard. It’s also a song of solidarity and community, because who is going to save us if we don’t save us? But we are going to save us.

It’s a lovely collection of tracks this week highlighting community, togetherness, and how roots music is built upon both. We hope you enjoy, cause we think You Gotta Hear This!

Big Richard, “Millionaire”

Artist: Big Richard
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Song: “Millionaire”
Album: Pet
Release Date: January 13, 2026 (single); February 6, 2026 (album)
Label: Signature Sounds

In Their Words: “‘Millionaire’ is a song about the greed and corruption of the rich written by David Olney, originally released in 1991. It is still wildly topical nearly 35 years later, although it might be time to change ‘millionaire’ to ‘billionaire’ at this point.

“We added this song to our setlist just after the inauguration last year and it has become one of the most emotionally charged moments in our sets. For us, this song is a unifying message, because regardless of which side of the line you voted on, we are all on the same side in the great class war. All of us are at the mercy of a very few, who only have their own best interests in mind, and who would never dismantle the systems that hold them in their places of power. It’s up to us to join with our neighbors and tear it down, from the joke that is the insurance industry to the politicians that are openly bought and controlled by corporations.

“We filmed the music video in Salt Lake City, where local fans will recognize many of the landmarks, which include the state capitol building, the offices of the LDS (who currently own more real estate than any other entity in the world), and the fuel refineries that choke the air of that beautiful city.

“We sing this old song with a lot of hope in dark days like these. Our species is brilliant, and more than capable of solving the problems that we have, if we would put the money in the right pockets and put limits on the folks that choose to hoard it.” – Dr. Joy Adams

Video Credit: Wonderstone Films

Michael Haney, “Brilliant Disguise”

Artist: Michael Haney
Hometown: Originally from Columbia, South Carolina; now living in Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Brilliant Disguise”
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Label: Rock Ridge Music

In Their Words: “I chose to record ‘Brilliant Disguise’ by Bruce Springsteen as an up-tempo rock version, because I’ve always been drawn to the tension and truth in that song. It’s one of his most well-known pieces from a transitional period in his life, and I think it speaks directly to the heart of the human condition — that universal experience of hiding parts of ourselves, even from those we love most. The more you sit with it, the more you realize the song captures something even deeper: how often we don’t truly know who we are in the first place. We walk through life trying to piece together our identities, yet we still build masks on top of that uncertainty — sometimes to protect ourselves, sometimes because we’re afraid of being seen, and sometimes for reasons we don’t fully understand.

“I liked the idea of doing late-’80s Springsteen as if mid-to-late-’70s Springsteen had taken it on, with that raw, energetic edge that defined his early sound. Reimagining it that way let me lean into the emotional conflict at the center of the song — the push and pull between authenticity and self-deception — while giving it the kind of drive that felt truer to my own voice. It’s not a song that’s been covered often, which made it feel like the perfect addition to my catalog: both as a tribute to his songwriting and as a reflection of where I am personally right now, navigating my own questions about identity, honesty, and the parts of ourselves we choose — or struggle — to reveal.” – Michael Haney

Track Credits:
Michael Haney – Vocals
Ben Jackson – Drums, percussion, keys, Hammond B3 organ
Luis Espaillat – Bass
Brian Fechino – Acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Brad Sample – Electric guitar
Kaleb Thomas Jones – BGVs

Kirby Lyle, “Change Is Hard”

Artist: Kirby Lyle
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Change Is Hard”
Album: Change Is Hard (EP)
Release Date: January 16, 2026

In Their Words: “‘Who’s gonna save us if we don’t save us?’ That’s the line. We are. Us. You and me. Right here in the moment. Every time I play ‘Change Is Hard,’ my soul activates! I’m so full of gratitude that the heart has an infinite capacity when it’s shared, because I can’t express this feeling alone. The music commands a full choir and joyful ruckus of players to lift it up to megaphone level. When the audience engages, our positive energy is ubiquitous! The hope is simple: inspiration toward progress – personal and societal. It’s on us. Be moved. Get better. Make each other better. Together.” – Kirby Lyle

Track Credits:
Kirby Lyle – Lead vocals, guitar, auxiliary percussion, songwriter, background vocals
Kyle Tuttle – Banjo
Keyboard – Jacob Merlin
Erika Nalow – Saxophones
Jordan Perlson – Drums
Background Vocalists: Maya de Vitry, Kyle Tuttle, Ethan Jodziewicz, Anthony Saddic, Brenna, Dana Baker, Emory Major, Noelle McFarland, Rachel Isabella, Sean Donovan, Kimberly Albertson, Laura Stack

Sweet Petunia, “Grub”

Artist: Sweet Petunia
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “Grub”
Album: Foggy Mountain Mental Breakdown
Release Date: January 13, 2026 (single); March 13, 2026 (album)
Label: Righteous Babe

In Their Words: “‘Grub’ is a song about my experience of being trans and the beauty and the pain that come with it. The song came to me almost completely at once. Most of the first verse came out in one fell swoop as you hear it today, but the second verse was inspired by a video of beautiful baby birds crowded into a small nest. I was so jealous of how close and happy they looked — a perfect opposite to reflect the isolation and sense of otherness that I explore in the first half of the song. Maddy and I then spent two hours just playing it over and over and over again until we finally found the perfect duet of banjo and vocals to support the song.

“I feel so lucky to have been able to share this song with so many other trans people through years of performing it live and hear how they connect to it within the context of their own experiences. It feels particularly special to be putting ‘Grub’ out in a time where our rights and lives as trans people are being put in harm’s way in a much more visible way than in the past few years.” – Mairead Guy

Video Credit: Riley Halliday

Photo Credit: Sweet Petunia by JJ Gonson; Big Richard by Rett Rogers.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Ber, Pert Near Sandstone, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Somehow it’s December and we’ve already reached our final collection of new roots music, songs, and videos for 2025. It’s been a year absolutely packed with essential new music that you gotta hear, hasn’t it? We think this final roundup is the perfect way to go out, as we look ahead to plenty more fresh tracks to share in 2026.

First, mandolinist Jesse Appelman previews the first single from his upcoming debut solo album. “Glacier Song” is sung from the perspective of the titular glacier, examining the inevitability of time and change with bluegrass trappings and tasteful dashes of old-time from his talent-stacked ensemble. Texan singer-songwriter Dustin Brown calls on fellow Texan Billy Hartman and Nashville-based Rachel Cole for his new track, “Ballerina.” Out next week, it’s a simple, stripped-down, and twangy arrangement for a song about yet another tale as old as time: a love triangle between two people and their freedom.

Also, Kara Arena draws inspiration from the Hindu deity Hanuman for a new single, “Whose Face Is On Your Heart.” A harbinger for her upcoming EP, which is set for release in January 2026, the vibey modern folk number finds the singer-songwriter considering the concept of our loved ones leaving indelible marks on our hearts while wrapped in cinematic strings. From Toronto, Meredith Moon returns to her just-released September album, From Here to the Sea, to share a brand new performance video for “Poseidon.” She’s accompanied by Tony Allen, Rachel Melas, and Mikey Shakes as they play the song down at Compass Records’ Hillbilly Central studio. “Poseidon” is about rising above the tumult of toxicity and negativity and choosing your own heart.

To conclude, we take a trip to Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, to catch new singles debuted this week by both Ber and Pert Near Sandstone, two acts from the incredibly music-rich Twin Cities. Today, Ber announced her upcoming new album, Good, Like It Should Be, set for release in early April 2026. The lead single from that project, “Book Cover,” is about the deeper meaning and understanding that can be hidden inside ourselves and is found in the delicious sonic territory where country, indie, and pop overlap. You can easily picture the song on mainstream country radio and an indie-pop playlist, too.

Pert Near Sandstone, for their part, lean into Irish folk and Celtic sounds with accordion, tenor banjo, and a shout-along, pub-ready lyric. “Side by Side” is about perseverance and rising above interpersonal challenges together. With resonant accordion and banjo tremolos, you’ll feel like you’re huddled up with the band in the corner of a cozy pub jamming along.

There’s plenty to hear and enjoy below. Thanks for sharing a year’s worth of new music with us! We’ll see you in 2026 right here for more premieres, but for now… You Gotta Hear This!

Jesse Appelman, “Glacier Song”

Artist: Jesse Appelman
Hometown: Oakland, California
Song: “Glacier Song”
Album: Where We Go
Release Date: December 12, 2025 (single); February 20, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “This song might not make much sense until you realize that it’s sung from the first-person perspective of a glacier – and what better inanimate object could there be to explore the inevitability of time and change? Written one of my oldest friends, Will Fourt, the crooked and circular structure was a perfect vehicle for this ensemble to weave the spontaneous and lush whirlwind of melody that ends the track. The refrain, ‘I don’t know where we go,’ here an expression of uncertainty, gave rise to the album title, reworked as a statement of intent: Where We Go.” – Jesse Appelman

Track Credits:
Jesse Appelman – Mandolin, vocals
Sami Braman – Fiddle
Allison de Groot – Clawhammer banjo
Emily Mann – Bass, harmony vocals
Eli West – Guitar, harmony vocals

Kara Arena, “Whose Face Is On Your Heart”


(Click to listen)

Artist: Kara Arena
Hometown: New York, New York
Song: “Whose Face Is On Your Heart”
Album: Whose Face Is On Your Heart (EP)
Release Date: December 5, 2025 (single); January 2026 (EP)

In Their Words: “‘Whose Face Is On Your Heart’ was born after I encountered the story of Hanuman, the Hindu deity. What truly distinguishes Hanuman is his deep devotion to his Lord, Rama and Devi Sita. When his loyalty comes into question, Hanuman says, ‘Every inch of my body has Rama in it. My heart and soul are made of Rama.’ When doubt of his love persists, he tears open his chest to reveal images of Rama and Sita glowing within his heart. When writing this song, I thought about what it would be like if our hearts were branded with the ones we love most. We wear their faces like a badge of honor. And when love leaves, do those sketches become scars?” – Kara Arena

Track Credits:
Kara Arena – Vocals, guitar, songwriter
Michael Lepore – Piano
Brett Bass – Upright, electric bass
Matt Bent – Drums, percussion
Mae Roney – Violin
Rachel Rice – Cello
Joe Cilento – Electric guitar, keys

Ber, “Book Cover”

Artist: Ber
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Song: “Book Cover”
Album: Good, Like It Should Be
Release Date: December 5, 2025 (single); April 3, 2026 (album)
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Book Cover’ last year over a cup of tea with my friend Corey Sanders, who at the time was consoling me as I was feeling very overlooked and invisible as a small, independent artist and writer in the music industry. At its surface, ‘Book Cover’ is about heartache and longing to be known for what’s inside, to be given a shot by someone not based on your looks or appearance, but because of the person you are. In its bones I’ve personally found deeper meaning— ‘Book Cover’ is a sweet reminder to myself to know your worth and acknowledge what you bring to the table. It’s one of my favorite songs from my forthcoming album, and I hope you like it!” – Ber

Dustin Brown, “Ballerina” (with Billy Hartman, Rachel Cole)

Artist: Dustin Brown, Billy Hartman, Rachel Cole
Hometown: Moody, Texas (Dustin); Texas (Billy); Nashville, Tennessee (Rachel)
Song: “Ballerina”
Release Date: December 12, 2025
Label: New Usual Records

In Their Words: “Writing a song can be as complex as the characters in it. Some fall out on the table, but this one definitely reflects its process as much as its meaning. The turmoil behind the writing of this song influenced its jaded undertones. It’s a tale as old as time, a love triangle between two souls and freedom. A dilemma of one’s resolve and another’s yearning.” – Dustin Brown

Meredith Moon, “Poseidon”

Artist: Meredith Moon
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Song: “Poseidon”
Album: From Here to the Sea
Release Date: December 2, 2025 (video); September 12, 2025 (album)
Label: Compass Records

In Their Words: “‘Poseidon’ was written during a pretty tumultuous time in my life, juggling priorities and in the end choosing my heart over all else. I felt the weight of the negativity inflicted on me by the toxic situations I’d left recently and ‘Poseidon’ was about re-instilling my own power and safety, like surrounding myself by an orb of protection.” – Meredith Moon

Performance Credits:
Meredith Moon – Guitar, vocals
Tony Allen – Fiddle
Rachel Melas – Bass
Mikey Shakes – Drums

Video Credit: Filmed at Compass Studios by Emma McCoury.

Pert Near Sandstone, “Side by Side”

Artist: Pert Near Sandstone
Hometown: Minneapolis / Saint Paul, Minnesota
Song: “Side by Side”
Album: Side by Side
Release Date: December 3, 2025 (single); February 27, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I originally started writing ‘Side by Side’ about my relationship with my wife and us pushing through challenging times. However, as the song came together, I realized the message of perseverance applied equally to the band and the challenges we go through together as professional musicians touring on the road. The music is traditional Irish-folk inspired, featuring wonderful accordionist Patrick Harison and Nate Sipe on Irish tenor banjo. I sing the lead along with full band group vocals and harmonies, which add to that real pub anthem sound. While in the recording studio we pulled the title ‘Side by Side’ from the lyrics which eventually became a rallying cry and decided it would be a fitting name for the new album.” – J Lenz

Track Credits:
J Lenz – Acoustic Guitar, vocals, songwriter
Kevin Kniebel – Clawhammer banjo, vocals
Nate Sipe – Mandolin, tenor banjo, vocals
Justin Bruhn – Upright bass, vocals
Patrick Harison – Accordion

Photo Credit: Ber by Tom Thornton; Pert Near Sandstone by Tony Nelson.

You Gotta Hear This: The Lone Bellow, Laurie Lewis, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Ready for another batch of new songs and videos? Great! ‘Cause You Gotta Hear This.

It’s a roundup full of friendship and interpersonal connections this week. First up, Americana rockers Chamomile & Whiskey bring a new video for “Friends Are Falling Out.” In the vein of classic, folky alt-rock sounds, the track and video explore the fragility of relationships with a deep groove, distortion, and fiddle and banjo. But keep scrolling, as you’ll also find singer-songwriter Kim Moberg’s testament to the all-too-rare true friend with her new track, “I’ll Always Be A Friend.” The jangly modern folk number was born from Moberg’s desire to communicate to her old and new friends how important they are to her. The paeans to friendship continue with a new video from old-time/folk duo Paper Wings, who debuted their new single “Fumblin” earlier this week. It’s a double-guitar track about awkwardness, eagerness, and how we all stumble through life and through relationships.

There’s still more to enjoy elsewhere in our collection, too. Bluegrass icon Laurie Lewis has announced her upcoming 2026 album, O California! with a new video for “Look Down That Lonesome Road.” Lewis took the mournful ballad, wrote new verses, and set the lyric to a jammy, driving bluegrass tune that drips with her signature sounds. Plus, fiddler Andy Leftwich calls on his pal, guitarist Cody Kilby, to trade licks on a new original fiddle tune he’s just released called “Old Hickory.” You might never guess he first wrote the melody on guitar.

You won’t want to miss “The Doldrums” from New York Americana string band The Mammals. They’ve just dropped an animated video for the track from their recent project, Touch Grass, Vol. 1. The song might just be a cure for its own namesake; it’s a perfect selection to take with us into the often doldrums-heavy winter months. Finally, don’t miss a brand new single from iconic folk trio The Lone Bellow. Today they announced their upcoming record, which will release in February 2026 and was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. “You Were Living” finds the band with an expansive, resplendent sound that certainly sounds like The Lone Bellow, but steeped in the Shoals.

There’s plenty to find and enjoy in our conglomeration of new music. Scroll on for more. You Gotta Hear This!

Chamomile & Whiskey, “Friends Are Falling Out”

Artist: Chamomile & Whiskey
Hometown: Charlottesville, Virginia
Song: “Friends Are Falling Out”
Release Date: November 19, 2025

In Their Words: “I wrote the line ‘that broken heart might just catch a break’ after meeting up with a friend of mine. She had regaled me with her latest story in a long line of bad relationships. I live in Charlottesville, which isn’t very big, and we’ve got plenty of small-town drama. The song kind of came out of some of that and the fragility of friendships. I finished writing it just before we celebrated 1,000 shows as a band.

“In preparation for the show, Marie and I did an in-studio performance at WNRN, a station we’ve long had a good relationship with. I thought it would be fun to try a brand new song. A few days later they told me that NPR Music had shared the video as their live song of the day. We felt like it must have some juice and we decided to record it ASAP. We all liked the mysterious, Southern Gothic aesthetic that we felt in the studio. Critter added the banjo on top of fiddles before laying down a glass slide part on the guitar. Marie and I grew up in Nelson County and that first Old Crow Medicine Show record, O.C.M.S., was huge in our circles and reminds me of driving around those beautiful backroads as a teenager. To have Critter put his signature sound on one of our songs was special and felt full circle.” – Koda Kerl

Track Credits:
Koda Kerl – Guitar, lead vocals, songwriter
Marie Borgman – Fiddle, backing vocals
Bobby St. Ours – Fiddle, backing vocals
Brian Gregory – Bass, backing vocals
Critter Fuqua – Banjo, slide guitar, backing vocals
Jesse Fiske – Baritone guitar, backing vocals
Drew Kimball – Electric guitar
Stuart Gunter – Drums

Video Credits: Directed by Johnny Saint Ours and Jenny Carhartt. Filmed at Dürty Nelly’s Pub 

Andy Leftwich, “Old Hickory”

Artist: Andy Leftwich
Hometown: Carthage, Tennessee
Song: “Old Hickory”
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “Every once in a while, you sit down with your instrument, a melody just falls out, and within a few minutes you have a fun, catchy melody! This is exactly what happened to me with this song. Even though it’s a fiddle tune, I actually wrote it on my guitar. After a few small changes to the melody, I finally landed on something that flowed well under the fingers – not only for the fiddle, but the lead guitar part as well. I was honored to have my good friend, Cody Kilby, take the lead guitar on this one! It’s so much fun to play and was named after ‘Old Hickory,’ a town near where I live.” – Andy Leftwich

Track Credits:
Andy Leftwich – Fiddle, mandolin
Byron House – Upright bass
Cody Kilby – Acoustic guitar
Matt Menefee – Banjo

Laurie Lewis, “Look Down That Lonesome Road”

Artist: Laurie Lewis
Hometown: Berkeley, California
Song: “Look Down That Lonesome Road”
Album: O California!
Release Date: November 21, 2026 (single/video); February 13, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “I have been playing around with this song since I heard Gaither Carlton sing it decades ago as a mournful ballad. I love it that way, but it seemed to me that sometimes parting needn’t be so sad, if you know you get to meet again (maybe at a festival next year). I started writing verses for it and when I got up to about eight or ten, I decided it was time to get serious. I love the loose arc of the story and the way the band responds to it. We winnowed down the verses to the essentials, leaving the others for the extended jam version.” – Laurie Lewis

Track Credits:
Laurie Lewis – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Brandon Godman – Fiddle
George Guthrie – Banjo, harmony vocal
Hasee Ciaccio – Double bass, harmony vocal

Video Credits: Produced and directed by Bria Light. Recorded at the Strawberry Music Festival in Grass Valley, CA.

The Lone Bellow, “You Were Leaving”

Artist: The Lone Bellow
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “You Were Leaving”
Album: What a Time to Be Alive
Release Date: November 21, 2025 (single); February 13, 2026 (album)
Label: Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “‘You Were Leaving’ is a song about the fleeting, transient nature of life. For us, the song is deeply personal, but it also feels universal. It invites people to find their own story in it, what it means to say goodbye, and what stays with us long after the leaving.” – The Lone Bellow

The Mammals, “The Doldrums”

Artist: The Mammals
Hometown: West Hurley, New York
Song: “The Doldrums”
Album: Touch Grass, Vol 1
Release Date: November 1, 2025
Label: Humble Abode Music

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘The Doldrums’ during a stretch of isolation when joy felt out of reach and time moved so strangely. ‘Why do the good times go so fast? Why do the doldrums linger and last?’ We tend to remember the hardest part of the day when we lay down to sleep, but this song reminds me to appreciate every amazing moment. I’m grateful this recording sounds triumphant and energized – like an anthem to shake out of a low vibration and shine a bright light into the future. For all who listen, may music and friendship help carry you through the next windless day. The Mammals have your back.” – Ruth Ungar

Track Credits:
Ruth Ungar – Vocals, guitar, songwriter
Mike Merenda – Guitars, banjo, vocals
Brandon Morrison – Bass, vocals
Will Bryant – Keys, vocals
Tim Morrison – Drums

Video Credits: Animated and Directed by Anne Beal. 

Kim Moberg, “I’ll Always Be A Friend”

Artist: Kim Moberg
Hometown: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the traditional territory of the Indigenous Nauset and Wampanoag Nations
Song: “I’ll Always Be A Friend”
Album: All That Really Matters
Release Date: January 30, 2026 (album)

In Their Words: “As an artist who grew up listening to the amazing singer-songwriters of the 1970s, Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ is embedded in my heart. I love that her song and its message about connection, support, and loyalty have endured all of these many years. I was a military ‘brat’ who attended 10 different schools in 12 years, so growing up I never lived in one place long enough to be part of a friend group or a clique. I was always ‘the new kid’ who was never included. The rare true friend meant more than gold to me.

“‘I’ll Always Be A Friend’ was born from my desire to share how important the friends in my life have been and how equally important the new friends I get to connect with through performing are to me. In these uncertain and trying times, community and friendship are paramount. (And Libra loyalty lives strong in this song!)” – Kim Moberg

Track Credits:
Kim Moberg – Lead vocal, acoustic guitar
Jon Evans – Bass, tenor guitar, drums, percussion, Fender Rhodes, harmony vocals

Paper Wings, “Fumblin”

Artist: Paper Wings
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Fumblin”
Release Date: November 18, 2025 (single/video)

In Their Words: “‘Fumblin’ is about friendship and watching one another stumble and fumble through the joys and trials of life. We wrote this one together in the backyard in a sort of trance state, describing scenes from our lives. It’s definitely a romanticization of awkwardness and our eagerness to connect as a species despite inevitable failure at times. We played double guitars on this one which we’ve been having fun doing lately. It’s the first track in the world of ours that I recorded and mixed in my studio in Nashville, so that’s quite exciting as well. We have a lot more music coming from this space, so look out!” – Wila Frank

Video Credits: Filmed by Sami Braman, edited by Wila Frank.

Photo Credit: The Lone Bellow by Debbie Ewing; Laurie Lewis and band by Dawn Kish.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Valerie June, Bryan Sutton, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Hear ye, hear ye! A fresh collection of new music, premieres, videos, singles, and more is here. You Gotta Hear This…

To start off, Good Country purveyors, Texan duo Briscoe, offer a brand new music video for “Free.” It’s a track from their new album inspired by lessons learned by Truett Heintzelman from his grandfather, as well as an ode to the Texas roots he shares with his grandad – and with his bandmate, Philip Lupton, too. Also bringing a newly minted video, singer-songwriter Rachael Sage and her band the Sequins celebrate love, friendships, and togetherness on “Belong To You.” The adorable music video was created by hosting an open casting call inviting participants to arrive and join in the taping with whomever they “love the most.” Sidle up to your loved ones and click play.

Bluegrass guitar great Bryan Sutton sits down with mandolinist Sierra Hull for a new rendition of an instrumental classic, “Grandfather’s Clock,” this week, too. But, this time, Hull is playing a six-string instead. Did you know she’s an equally accomplished guitar picker? Meanwhile, Sutton quite fittingly performs the tune on a guitar once owned by his own grandpa. Elsewhere, you’ll find South Carolina-based gospel bluegrass band Eighteen Mile sharing a new single below. “What Mercy Means” is an excellent example of how the long relationship between gospel and sacred music and bluegrass and old-time continues today.

Keep scrolling, though, because we have two more videos for you to enjoy. If you have young roots music fans around – or if you’re young at heart – the Okee Dokee Brothers have an adorable new animated music video for their track, “Little Old You.” Sure, the Brothers make children’s music, but this is listenable at all ages, that’s for sure. The message of the track is sweet and timely, as they put it: “…We’re [all] infinitely big in all our little ways.”

And, finally, the cosmic and (literally) magical Valerie June has a new single out this week and an accompanying visualizer you won’t want to miss. “Rollin’ and Tumblin'” is raucous, impassioned, and brash – just how we like June’s music – and demonstrates yet again how complex and inviting this indie-string-folk mastermind can be. Especially when she brings the blues and the banjo together in exciting ways like this.

There’s plenty to watch and hear, so let’s get to it! ‘Cause seriously, You Gotta Hear This.

Briscoe, “Free”

Artist: Briscoe
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Song: “Free”
Album: Heat of July
Release Date: September 19th, 2025 (album); November 14, 2025 (video)
Label: ATO Records

In Their Words: “I’ve learned a great deal of lessons from my grandfather and the life that he lived so well. He was chock full of wisdom and always keen to share that wisdom with me and my siblings. Perhaps the most important thing he taught me was the art of moderation and the joy in being content with what you have. ‘Free’ is an ode to him and the Texas roots we both share, as well as a reminder for people of all walks to savor a life lived right down the middle.” – Truett Heintzelman

Video Credit: Jackson Ingraham 

(Editor’s Note: Read our recent Good Country interview with Briscoe here.)

Valerie June, “Rollin’ and Tumblin'”

Artist: Valerie June
Hometown: Humboldt, Tennessee (now Memphis, Tennessee and New York, New York)
Song: “Rollin’ and Tumblin'”
Release Date: November 12, 2025 (single)
Label: Concord

In Their Words: “Working with producer and bassist Matt Marinelli and drummer Andy Macleod brings a wild, rambunctious twist to this old blues standard, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’.” I love taking the banjo out of its traditional comfort zone and driving it into a raw, heavy, metallic space – like someone tossing and turning through sleepless nights until they finally let go.

“Decades of digging into how the blues bleeds into every style have taught me one thing – those roots never die. Every time I twist that sound through my own work, I find new ways to grow and let those old ghosts roar again.” – Valerie June

Track Credits:
Valerie June – Vocals, banjo
Matt Marinelli – Basses, producer, engineer
Andy Macleod – Drums

Video Credits: Filmed at Magnolia Pearl in Fredericksburg, Texas by Brights and in Big Sur, California by Dr. Ietef Vita.

Eighteen Mile, “What Mercy Means”

Artist: Eighteen Mile
Hometown: Upstate South Carolina
Song: “What Mercy Means”
Release Date: November 14, 2025

In Their Words: “I’ve always been intrigued by the mental picture of Moses climbing up Mount Sinai to meet God in Exodus 34.The Bible paints a picture that the mountain was dark and terrifying and it even describes earthquakes and thunder, all because the holy presence of God was there. I wrote this song to capture the divine tension of a powerful holy God meeting an unholy man. The song then relates the Bible story to my personal story, that even though I deserve the punishment that comes from being a sinner before a holy God, he surprises me with overflowing mercy every morning instead.” – Carson Aaron

Track Credits:
Hallie Ritter – Upright bass
Carson Aaron – Acoustic guitar, lead vocal, songwriter
Emily Guy – Harmony vocal
Jack Ritter – Banjo, harmony vocal
Savannah Aaron – Fiddle
Andy Leftwich – Mandolin, mandola, acoustic guitar
Steve Pettit – Mandolin

The Okee Dokee Brothers, “Little Old You”

Artist: The Okee Dokee Brothers
Hometown: Denver, Colorado
Song: “Little Old You”
Album: Little Old You
Release Date: November 11, 2025 (video); November 7, 2025 (album)
Label: Okee Dokee Music

In Their Word: “This tune is a special one for us. It reminds us that we’re infinitely big in all our little ways. Even our tiniest feelings ripple like oceans, our dreams comfort the night, and our smiles can light the way for others.” – Justin Lansing

“It’s a gentle anthem to our place in the cosmos – showing that our smallest actions have big effects. We are silly and wise, young and old, and infinitely big in all our little ways.” – Joe Mailander

Track Credits:
Justin Lansing – Vocals, guitar
Joe Mailander – Vocals, guitar
Dean Jones – Organ

Video Credits: Directed by Jack Carr.
Art Directed by Zachariah Ohora.
Animated by Tom Jolliffe & David Jenkins.

Rachael Sage & The Sequins, “Belong to You”

Artist: Rachael Sage & The Sequins
Hometown: Hudson Valley, New York
Song: “Belong To You”
Album: Canopy
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Label: MPress Records

In Their Words: “‘Belong To You’ is the first song I’ve intentionally composed as a gospel ballad. It meant the world to me that many of The Sequins ended up singing on the arrangement, rather than me performing all the harmonies myself (as has often been the case). Kevin J. Killen’s soulful Hammond organ and guitar playing and Will Wilde’s incredible blues harmonica add so much; Dave Eggar’s cello performance keeps everything grounded so beautifully.We all genuinely feel so much love and devotion for one another, so the vibe that was captured via our friendships really mirrors the lyrics and adds so many beautiful layers of emotion.

“Because it’s one of the more universal songs on the record, it’s been really magical to perform it live, and have audience members at the gigs share their individual interpretations of it with us. Trina Hamlin, who also sings on the track, has been singing it with me live lately and it makes it very easy to sing about unconditional love and friendship when one of your best friends is harmonizing with you!” – Rachael Sage

Track Credits:
Rachael Sage – Lead vocals, background vocals, piano
Doug Yowell – Drums
Dave Eggar – Cello
Kerry Brooks – Upright bass
Will Wilde – Harmonica
Kevin J. Killen – Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Hammond B3 organ, background vocals
Trina Hamlin – Background vocals
Mikhail Pivovarov – Background vocals

Video Credits: Jenny He – Director, producer
Shadow Play Pictures, LLC. – Production company
MPress Records – Executive producer

Bryan Sutton, “Grandfather’s Clock” (with Sierra Hull)

Artist: Bryan Sutton with Sierra Hull
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Grandfather’s Clock”
Album: From Roots to Branches
Release Date: November 14, 2025 (single)
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I’m so happy to have Sierra Hull on this record. We chose the song, ‘Grandfather’s Clock,’ just because it’s a classic, beautiful melody. A lot of people know what a great mandolin player Sierra is, but I’ve always known what a great guitar player she is. This song meant a lot to us and, in fact, I’m playing my grandfather’s old Martin 0-17 guitar on this track.” – Bryan Sutton

“Bryan is one of my favorite musicians in the world to listen to and make music with. He knows how to elevate any musical situation he enters. Whether he is supporting a simple melody with pure tone and restraint or providing a wave of rhythmic brilliance and musical playfulness to ride along with, he always knows how to make things feel and sound easy. He’s one of my biggest heroes, so I’m both honored and thrilled to get to be a part of this new duets project with him!” – Sierra Hull

Track Credits:
Bryan Sutton – Acoustic guitar
Sierra Hull – Acoustic guitar

Photo Credit: Valerie June by Dr. Ietef Vita Photography; Bryan Sutton courtesy of the artist.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Brit Taylor, Benson, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

We’re back with another excellent edition of our weekly roundup of new music, fresh videos, and sneak previews of tracks to yet to come.

Bluegrass power couple Benson – Wayne Benson and Kristin Scott Benson – call on Zack Arnold of Rhonda Vincent & the Rage for their new single, “Bully of the Town,” which drops today. You may recognize the track, which is usually performed as an instrumental, but its unique chord progression shines with Arnold’s vocal as the somewhat unexpected cherry on top. Also in a bluegrass space – bluegrass saxophone, of course – Eddie Barbash continues his mini-series with us of classic bluegrass and old-time fiddle tunes rendered superlatively, as only he could, on sax. This time, we’re sharing his new performance video of “Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase,” shot at Larkspur Conservation in Westmoreland, Tennessee. We can’t get enough solo saxophone fiddle tunes!

From the bottom of the globe, progressive New Zealand string band You, Me, Everybody returns to the pages of BGS with a new music video. “The Rest of Us” is a contemplative, introspective song set to sparkling newgrass that’s about leadership, abandonment, and rising above – if you can. From country, our friend Brit Taylor also debuts a new music video this week for “All For Sale,” her most recent single that released just last month. The new video, which only features a short cameo by Taylor, a new momma, is a fun-fueled yard sale spurred by heartbreak and readiness for a blank, clean slate.

To round out our collection this week, legendary blues master Robert Finley is celebrating a brand new album via Easy Eye Sound today, so of course we’re highlighting a track from Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya to mark the special day. “Can’t Take My Joy” is an infectious song with a perennial message that Finley holds at the core of his values system – you really can’t steal his joy. And, with music like this in our weekly roundup, you won’t be taking our joy, either!

It’s all right here on BGS and, just like every week before this one, You Gotta Hear This.

Eddie Barbash, “Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase”

Artist: Eddie Barbash
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Tennessee Mountain Fox Chase”
Album: Larkspur
Release Date: November 28, 2025 (The album will be released one song at a time with the last track coming out Nov. 28.)

In Their Words: “This song was recorded during a spring sun shower on the porch swing at Larkspur Conservation’s cabin headquarters. A barn swallow was nesting in the rafters just over my head and I was inspired by all of the bird songs around me to improvise this introduction.

“I learned the tune late one night from Ric Robertson after a party/concert in his Washington Heights apartment in NYC. I believe he learned it from Nate Leath and my version is also inspired by his recording. I decided to slow it down a bit and give it a lazier, swingier feel that just feels so good to play on the saxophone.” – Eddie Barbash

Video Credits: Shot and edited by Jeremy Stanley. 

(Editor’s Note: Watch the first video in our mini-series with Eddie Barbash here.)

Benson, “Bully of the Town”

Artist: Benson
Hometown: Boiling Springs, South Carolina
Song: “Bully of the Town”
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I’ve always loved to play this song and didn’t even know it had lyrics for years. The chord progression is just different enough to make it work either way.” – Wayne Benson

“‘Bully of the Town’ is a good example of a song that wasn’t originally a part of the bluegrass genre, but is versatile enough that you can play it many different ways and it sounds like it belonged there all along. Wayne and I are pickers first and this arrangement is really built around being able to play around this fun chord progression, but the vocals are the icing on the cake, because prior to this cut, people typically played it as an instrumental. A lot of people don’t even know it has words, so adding vocals differentiates it and we got a young gun to sing it! Zack Arnold, from Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, did such a great job. He delivers it with a lot of energy, power, and a spirit that accompanies youthful musicianship. He really added excitement to an already-grooving track.” – Kristin Scott Benson

Track Credits:
Wayne Benson – Mandolin
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Cody Kilby – Acoustic guitar
Kevin McKinnon – Bass
Zack Arnold – Lead Vocal

Robert Finley, “Can’t Take My Joy”

Artist: Robert Finley
Hometown: Bernice, Louisiana
Song: “Can’t Take My Joy”
Album: Hallelujah! Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Label: Easy Eye Sound

In Their Words: “There’s an old saying that I used to hear folks say, ‘There’s joy in the world, can’t take it away.’ Joy is something that can’t be measured by man and can’t be controlled by man. That’s why I say, ‘You can’t take my joy.’ You can take everything else, but you can’t take that. You can take my freedom and I can still be happy. Though there are problems, there is still a way to look beyond the faults and accept the good things in life. Joy is something that no man has the power to give and no man has the power to take away.” – Robert Finley

Brit Taylor, “All For Sale”

Artist: Brit Taylor
Hometown: Hindman, Kentucky
Song: “All For Sale”
Release Date: September 5, 2025 (song); October 9, 2025 (video)
Label: RidgeTone Records/Thirty Tigers

In Their Words: “We wrote this song like a script. There’s so much imagery in the song that it just seemed natural for the video to follow the lyrics. I decided only to make a quick cameo in the video and let my friends be the stars of the show! While it seems counterintuitive to what the rest of the industry is currently doing, it felt right to me. After all, the song isn’t about me, it’s about a story that wants to be told. And, honestly, my friends should probably move to Hollywood, because they really nailed their parts!” – Brit Taylor

Video Credits:
Robert Chavers – Producer, director, cinematographer
Steve Voss – Director
Solar Cabin – Production company

You, Me, Everybody, “The Rest Of Us”

Artist: You, Me, Everybody
Hometown: Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand
Song: “The Rest of Us”
Release Date: October 10, 2025
Label: Southern Sky Records

In Their Words: “I woke up with the melody and the lyric in the chorus, ‘If you’re the one who’s going to give up, what are the rest of us doing here tonight?’ And as much as the melody kept hooking me in, it took a while to find an angle for a song that could only really be about leadership. Even though it’s from the perspective of the people who are left when a leader abandons them, I was writing this with an awareness of how I felt I was letting people down at a time when I wasn’t following through on a commitment I had made. That’s why it’s less about blame and more about the heartbreak of watching someone lose faith in something they’d once worked so hard for.” – Kim Bonnington

Video Credits: Produced and edited by Kim Bonnington. Filmed by Ethan Bryant.

Photo Credit: Brit Taylor by Sammy Hearn; Benson by Sandlin Gaither.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Eddie Barbash, Caitlin Canty, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

You know what Friday means! New music, new songs, new videos – and of course, You Gotta Hear This.

Let’s begin with some Good Country from Idaho’s own Colby Acuff. His new album, Enjoy the Ride, is out today and we’re enjoying the ride ourselves with a lyric video for the title track from his excellent collection of country that’s both traditional and forward-looking born from beyond the continental divide. Singer-songwriter Kashena Sampson brings us a song from her brand new album, Ghost Of Me, that we find at the intersection of vibey Americana and contemplative indie. “Thick As Thieves” is a daydream in a song about teenage years, friendship, and holding onto – if you can – the ineffable magic of youth.

One of our longtime friends, Caitlin Canty, released her new album, Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove, yesterday. Based in Vermont, the singer-songwriter crafts music that rests comfortably between folk, bluegrass, string band, and Americana sounds. To celebrate her new album, she’s shared a special live performance video of “Don’t Worry About Nothing,” inspired by parenthood, our frenetic day-to-day, and giving up control – and worry – whenever we can. Speaking of string band music, Damn Tall Buildings, a Brooklyn-based group playing on the fringes of bluegrass, old-time, and swing, have a brand new video for “Turkish Airlines,” a funny and all-too-relatable track they describe as portraying the haze of travel dreams, the desire to be seen, and late-night self-reflection.

And don’t miss your essential dose of bluegrass saxophone, as one of the foremost purveyors of the form, Eddie Barbash, begins a BGS mini-series sharing videos of solo performances of traditional fiddle tunes on sax. To begin, check out his rendition of “Forked Deer,” which Barbash picked up from Sierra Hull while touring with Cory Wong. If you aren’t familiar with Barbash, you may be surprised how perfect fiddle tunes can feel on saxophone. If you are already familiar, you’ll love getting to hear him offer his takes on these classic melodies. More sax-fiddle tunes are coming soon.

There’s a little something for everyone in this week’s roundup, as usual. We hope you enjoy, because You Gotta Hear This!

Colby Acuff, “Enjoy The Ride”

Artist: Colby Acuff
Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Song: “Enjoy The Ride”
Album: Enjoy The Ride
Release Date: October 3, 2025

In Their Words: “The title track of this project does not pull any punches. This song sets up the world where this story takes place. Like most of my songs, it takes place in the real world. In the plains of Oklahoma, the mountains of Idaho, or the heat of the desert. This record is for real people. People that we talked to on the streets and truly got a look into who they are. This song is meant to represent the people of this country for what it is. I hope people love this one as much as I do.” – Colby Acuff

Eddie Barbash, “Forked Deer”

Artist: Eddie Barbash
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Forked Deer”
Album: Larkspur
Release Date: November 28, 2025 (The album will be released one song at a time with the last track coming out Nov. 28.)

In Their Words: “This performance was recorded in a dry streambed at the Larkspur Conservation natural burial ground in northern Tennessee. I learned ‘Forked Deer’ from Sierra Hull while we were on tour with Cory Wong. The harmonic lift in the B part is what makes the tune for me. Modulating to the 5 is a tried-and-true move at least as old as the Baroque. In my playing I tried to capture what I love most about bluegrass – the fast and hard-driving, yet still light and bouncy, groove and the thrilling rhythmic and melodic variations. To achieve the bluegrass backbeat, I made generous use of one of my favorite bowing techniques that I learned from Alex Hargreaves called the ‘Georgia shuffle bow.'” – Eddie Barbash

Video Credits: Shot and edited by Jeremy Stanley.

Caitlin Canty, “Don’t Worry About Nothing”

Artist: Caitlin Canty
Hometown: Danby, Vermont
Song: “Don’t Worry About Nothing”
Album: Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove
Release Date: October 2, 2025

In Their Words: “I started writing this song to my son when his Magna-Tiles castle came crashing down in a spectacular heap. It felt like what was happening at that time to my view of the wider world. This song helps me wind down from worrying about what doesn’t matter so much and focus my powers on fighting for what does matter. It’s written from my own unshakeable mom’s point of view – I love how she sees the world and walks through it with a smile, even on the darkest days. I’m so looking forward to touring Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove and playing this song each night with my full band! ” – Caitlin Canty

Video Credits: Filmed and edited by Brian Carroll. Mixed by Dave Sinko.

Damn Tall Buildings, “Turkish Airlines”

Artist: Damn Tall Buildings
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Song: “Turkish Airlines”
Album: The Universe Is Hungry
Release Date: October 8, 2025 (single); October 24, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “We are honored to share this single from our fourth upcoming studio LP with BGS! ‘Turkish Airlines’ explores the sensation of being loved, but not being sure which version of you someone is loving. We’re always evolving and changing as humans, and this song floats through the uncertainty that can be triggered by that truth. We had a blast crafting this track to portray the haze of travel dreams, the desire to be seen through the complexity, and late-night self-reflection. Through creative experimentation in the recording and production of the track, we were able to bring a bit of studio magic to this song that we hope will become a DTB classic. Hit us up on the socials to let us know what you think!. Thanks for listening, see y’all on the road.” – Damn Tall Buildings

Kashena Sampson, “Thick As Thieves”

Artist: Kashena Sampson
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Thick As Thieves”
Album: Ghost Of Me
Release Date: October 3, 2025

In Their Words: “I wrote this song for my best friend, Sulayla. It’s a daydream about our teenage years growing up in Las Vegas. It’s about those carefree days when the world felt full of endless possibilities. The song came to me after a conversation we had, realizing that adulthood isn’t quite what we imagined and wishing we could go back to those golden moments. Driving through the desert in my old Ford Explorer, listening to the Beatles and feeling like anything was possible.” – Kashena Sampson

Track Credits:
Kashena Sampson – Vocals, songwriter
Jolana Sampson – Songwriter
B.L. Reed – Guitar
Tom Myers – Drums
Jon Estes – Bass

Photo Credit: Eddie Barbash by Jeremy Stanley; Caitlin Canty by Brian Carroll.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Mon Rovîa, Brennen Leigh, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

You Gotta Hear This! Our weekly new music collection is yet again full-to-bursting with the best in country, bluegrass, Americana, and beyond. It’s another week for popcorn and Milk Duds, too, as most of our featured artists have brought us music videos to enjoy.

Son of iconic and beloved troubadour Jim Croce, singer-songwriter A.J. Croce brings a soulful and plaintive song, “Didn’t You Want That Too,” packaged in a brooding and passionate performance video. Croce tells us he wrote the song while heartbroken on a cross-country flight. South Caroline’s Jennie Arnau showcases an adorable stop-motion music video today for “Mabel,” a lovely and heartfelt Americana track inspired by her beloved cat and the idea that when you need connection and joy, one ought not forget the comfort and light we carry with us as we move through our communities and the world.

In the bluegrass realm, one of Western North Carolina’s favorite mandolinists/bandleaders Darren Nicholson drops a new single today, “Get Me Down the Line.” Written with Charles Humphrey III, it’s deep-pocketed and grooving modern ‘grass, an anthem for all the folks who might be chasing the next best thing. Plus, Josh “Jug” Rinkel returns with another solo performance video from his Live from Reverb and Echo Studio series. “Lonely and Free” came to Rinkel like a jolt in the middle of the night; he wrote the song sitting on the side of his bed at 4 a.m.

A Good Country purveyor of the first degree, Brennen Leigh has a new single that released last week, “Tell Me,” so we’re excited to share the new music video for that fine track. The video is a bit of an aesthetic time machine, a stylistic rewind that pays tribute to the ’60s on Music Row and “country business casual,” which we love. Boston-based artist Robin Young also shares her new video for “There’s a Part of Me,” below. Featuring a loping, energetic beat and plucked banjo, it’s the first song Young wrote for her upcoming album, Letters to a Ghost, and it artfully balances country and bluegrass grit with a lush, glossy polish.

Rounding us out, an indie folk singer-songwriter who’s almost universally beloved by the internet – and IRL – Mon Rovîa has announced his debut full-length album today with a new track, a single from the project, “Whose face am i.” Bloodline, the upcoming LP, arrives in January 2026. “Whose face am i” shows Mon’s captivating, contemplative sort of writing that has charmed millions of indie and roots fans around the globe. It’s a song about generational trauma, history, family, interpersonal connections, and the strife and turmoil that can stand between these facets of identity.

We hope you enjoy another exemplary round-up of roots music, ’cause You Gotta Hear This!

Jennie Arnau, “Mabel”

Artist: Jennie Arnau
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Song: “Mabel”
Album: A Rising Tide
Release Date: September 5 (single); September 12 (video); November 7, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “When I wrote ‘Mabel,’ I was reflecting on a time when I craved more connection and joy. While I was traveling alone, it occurred to me that my cat, Mabel, my constant companion and quiet soulmate, reminded me of the comfort and light I carry with me. That thought brought into focus how much I thrive when I’m traveling, meeting people, sharing a glass of wine, and exploring new ideas and places. That’s when I feel most alive. The idea for the video came to me immediately after. I found Adrian (the videographer) and asked him to capture a character on a journey – discovering light, warmth, and happiness along the way. In many ways, Mabel represents the brighter version of myself, the part that chooses joy and moves forward and he was really able to translate that in what I think is an amazing video.” – Jennie Arnau

Track Credits:
Jennie Arnau – Vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter
Alan Lerner – Drums
Pete Levin – Keyboards
Binky Griptite – Electric guitar
Brett Bass – Bass
Greg McMullen – Pedal Steel
Kendall Sherman – Background vocals
Jacob Joliff – Mandolin
Mike Savino – Banjo, tenor guitar

Video Credit: Adrian Venti

A.J. Croce, “Didn’t You Want That Too”

Artist: A.J. Croce
Hometown: Born in Bryn Mawr near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Song: “Didn’t You Want That Too”
Album: Heart of the Eternal
Release Date: September 12 (video); March 7, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “This is the most personal song on the album. Some songs I’ve written are fun to analyze, because in looking back I see that there was a deeper meaning than I realized at the time. In this case it’s too painful for me to look any deeper than the surface. I wrote it, heartbroken, on a flight from California to Tennessee.” – AJ Croce

Brennen Leigh, “Tell Me”

Artist: Brennen Leigh
Hometown: Moorhead, Minnesota
Song: “Tell Me”
Album: Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love
Release Date: September 3 (single); September 12 (video); October 3, 2025 (album)
Label: Signature Sounds

In Their Words: “When our producer Kevin Skrla built Wolfe Island Recording Co., it was with Nashville’s legendary RCA Studio B in mind. Many of my favorite albums were made at RCA in the ’60s, so when we recorded the video for ‘Tell Me,’ we were imagining some of the magic that occurred in that world… when Nashville A Team studio musicians might have gone in for a day of work in the studio. We played dress up, imagining folks like legendary producer and musician Chet Atkins and visionary engineer and vocal group leader Anita Kerr, what they might have worn – country business casual – and the charts they may have made.

“I’ve always been a musician first and a performer second, so the world of working session players in the ’60s holds a special mystique for me. Georgia Parker, Rebecca Patek, and Josh Artall (some of my favorite musicians) portrayed the original session band, Dave Biller, Matty Meyer, Josh Hoag, and Damien O’Grady. Kevin Skrla and I portrayed ourselves. We’re saving up for a time machine.” –Brennen Leigh

Video Credit: Directed by Oceanna

Darren Nicholson, “Get Me Down The Line”

Artist: Darren Nicholson
Hometown: Canton, North Carolina
Song: “Get Me Down The Line”
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “‘Get Me Down The Line’ is such a fun song! It’s another one that I co-wrote with Charles Humphrey III and it’s without a doubt the best response I’ve ever had to a song when performed for our live audiences. It’s a jukin’ little anthem for the person who is chasing the next best thing – another take on the human condition and how we are constantly looking for something to fill the void, looking for whatever ‘it’ is to make us feel better temporarily. I am laughing as I write this because I’m very familiar with this notion. I love writing songs about my own human experience, and I hope maybe others can relate to them from time to time. Thanks for listening! I hope you find yourself groovin’ along as well. Have fun and enjoy the quest for whatever ‘it’ is that gets you on down the line.” – Darren Nicholson

Track Credits:
Darren Nicholson – Mandolin, lead vocal
Tony Creasman – Drums
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Mark Fain – Upright bass
David Johnson – Acoustic guitar, resonator guitar
Kevin Sluder – Harmony vocal
Avery Welty – Harmony vocal

Josh Rinkel, “Lonely and Free”

Artist: Josh Rinkel
Hometown: Mount Eden, Kentucky
Song: “Lonely and Free”
Album: Live from Reverb and Echo Studio
Release Date: September 12, 2025 (video)
Label: Reverb and Echo

In Their Words: “I’ve always heard songwriters tell stories about how a song came to them in their sleep, how it woke them up and they just had to write it… I never believed them until it happened to me. That’s how ‘Lonely and Free’ came about. I wrote that song sitting on the side of my bed after waking up out of a dead sleep at four in the morning. I think a lot of people are afraid to admit that they’re lonely and they write it off as being free or independent – not needing someone in their life to slow them down. To me, that’s the meaning behind ‘Lonely and Free.'” – Josh Rinkel

Video Credits: Video by Carter Brice; audio by Dan Deurloo.

Mon Rovîa, “Whose face am i”

Artist: Mon Rovîa
Hometown: Libera-born, Tennessee-based
Song: “Whose face am i”
Album: Bloodline
Release Date: September 12, 2025 (single); January 9, 2026 (album)
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “A lot of life is about your history. The search for understanding what has happened, what is, and what isn’t. The Truth lies at the epicenter of the case. For many adopted children, or those who have lost parents when young or never knew theirs to begin with, there can be an unspoken weight. We all long to know who brought us into this world, and at what cost. Relief releases sweetly as answers come to light. Know you aren’t alone in your search for your story. Many seek with you.” – Mon Rovîa

Robin Young, “There’s a Part of Me”

Artist: Robin Young
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Song: “There’s a Part of Me”
Album: Letters to a Ghost
Release Date: September 17 (single); October 17, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “‘There’s a Part of Me’ is the first song I wrote for my debut album, when my emotions were truly raw. I was in the beginning stages of a relationship with someone new while a large part of my heart stayed stubbornly loyal to someone from my past. He’d made me feel a depth of emotion that I just couldn’t seem to access with anyone else and I couldn’t imagine ever being able to move past it, though many years down the road I now thankfully have.

“The major chords during the chorus represent a momentary glimpse of what moving on might feel like, but then drift back into minor chords in the verses like a slide back to reality. Rather than sounding upbeat, the faster tempo is meant to feel almost frantic.

“The music video shows me trying to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Western Massachusetts in the present, while being continually pulled back into memories of the past. The one shot taken indoors is meant to evoke a confession booth as I express the guilt of retaining feelings for someone while in a relationship with someone else.” – Robin Young

Track Credits:
Robin Young – Vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriter
Charlie Burket – Electric guitar, mandolin, banjo
Carter Sanders – Piano
Russ Sternglass – Drums
Joe McMahon – Upright bass

Video Credits: Directed and edited by Chris Bartlett. Color grading by Jefferson Rosa.

Photo Credit: Mon Rovîa by Zayne Isom; Brennen Leigh by Lyza Renee.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Brothers Comatose, Caitlin Canty, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

Your weekly dose of brand new roots music is here – You Gotta Hear This!

Our West Coast friends, The Brothers Comatose, kick us off this week with their new single, “Golden Grass.” The title track for their upcoming album, it’s a loping bluegrass number that pays tribute to the special regional string band styles and genre-bending of their home state, California. From the opposite side of the country, Caitlin Canty brings us “Hotter Than Hell,” a nostalgic song about nighttime summer drives, first loves, and first jobs that features fellow Vermonter Matt Lorenz on backing vocals.

We have a couple great new music videos, too, this week. Singer-songwriter Kai Crowe-Getty shares a live performance video of “Dancing on a Razor’s Edge,” a heartfelt original song about grief, loss, that takes inspiration from – as Joni Mitchell would put it – “you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” Meanwhile, Hillary Reynolds also comes to us from an Americana space with her new track, “Can’t Turn Off My Mind,” a song about insomnia with an accompanying video that demonstrates how, to Reynolds, sleeplessness can become a familiar friend.

Keep scrolling though, because Nashville-based honky-tonker and picker-singer-songwriter Mose Wilson gives an unexpected flair to traditional country with his song, “Since I Lost You.” Wilson’s friend and sometimes bandmate, award-winning bassist Vickie Vaughn, returns to You Gotta Hear This once again with her latest Mountain Home Music Co. single, a fiery, soulful, and plaintive rendition of Vince Gill’s classic, “Liza Jane.” And, from just up the road across town in Nashville, string duo and old-time aficionados Golden Shoals turn their skills to “dad rock” for their pro-worker, anti-work-week summer anthem, “Five Day Weekend.” Of course, it’s just perfect for entering a long holiday weekend.

Country, bluegrass, folk, Americana, and blends of all of the above are all right here on BGS. You Gotta Hear This!

The Brothers Comatose, “Golden Grass”

Artist: The Brothers Comatose
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Song: “Golden Grass”
Album: Golden Grass
Release Date: May 21, 2025 (single); September 12, 2025 (album)
Label: Swamp Jam Records.

In Their Words: “We wrote ‘Golden Grass’ about the current wave of string bands coming out of California that are creating a new take on an old style of music. They start with their foundations in traditional bluegrass and incorporate folk, rock, and jam elements to form that Western ‘golden grass’ sound. Lots of great string bands have come out of California, like AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Molly Tuttle, and even going back to Old & In the Way who were trailblazers for this type of sound. It’s about taking the heart and soul of bluegrass and infusing it with everything we love about music today.” – Ben Morrison

Caitlin Canty, “Hotter Than Hell”

Artist: Caitlin Canty
Hometown: Danby, Vermont
Song: “Hotter Than Hell”
Album: Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove
Release Date: May 22, 2025 (single); October 2, 2025 (album)
Label: Distributed by Tone Tree

In Their Words: “This is the first track I’m sharing from my forthcoming record, Night Owl Envies the Mourning Dove, out October 2. This song grew from the ground in Vermont, where I was born and raised and have recently returned to raise my little kids. On those hot humid nights before we had air conditioning, my folks would pack us all in the truck and we’d drive along mountain roads with the windows down to cool off. ‘Hotter Than Hell’ is a nostalgic summer throwback to first love, first jobs – those ephemeral firsts seared into memory.

“And making this record was my first time partnering with Sam Kassirer, who produced and played keys. I was nearly 8 months pregnant when we cut the record live at his Great North Sound Society in Maine. I just love to hear fellow Vermonter, Matt Lorenz (The Suitcase Junket) singing his blazing backing vocals on this song.” – Caitlin Canty

Track Credits:
Caitlin Canty – Vocals, acoustic guitar, songwriting
Jeremy Moses Curtis – Bass
Rich Hinman – Electric guitar
Sam Kassirer – Piano, organ
Matt Lorenz – Backing vocals
Ray Rizzo – Drums, percussion

Kai Crowe-Getty, “Dancing on a Razor’s Edge”

Artist: Kai Crowe-Getty
Hometown: Nelson County, Virginia
Song: “Dancing on a Razor’s Edge”
Album: The Wreckage
Release Date: May 23, 2025 (single); June 27, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “In my life, I’m not one who does a lot of looking backwards or dwelling in the past with much intention. This song, like several on the record, does exactly that. The Joni Mitchell refrain of ‘don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone’ was a lost inspiration here. My mother died when I was young and this collection of memories, some with her, some without, is trying to make sense of the present in one of my more personal writes. Like many things we avoid, tuck away, wait to face another day, it tends to come out in unexpected floods and fissures as we navigate the grief of it, standing on different shores.” – Kai Crowe-Getty

Video Credits: Filmed by Zach Phillips. Edited by Kai Crowe-Getty.

Golden Shoals, “Five Day Weekend”

Artist: Golden Shoals
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Song: “Five Day Weekend”
Album: The Dream and The Hunger
Release Date: May 23, 2025

In Their Words: “We live in a world where we’re pushed to our limits of productivity while being sold tons of garbage that we don’t need. At the same time, we could be harnessing AI to do the work that allows humans more leisure time, but Big Tech seems intent on replacing meaningful human work instead. The song just kind of manifested with a dad rock vibe. It details my dream for a world that I think is possible – where we all spend a significant, but not overwhelming, amount of time doing the hard work that a society needs to thrive and the rest of the time taking care of ourselves making the world a great place to live in.” – Mark Kilianski

Track Credits:
Mark Kilianski – Electric guitar, vocals, songwriting
Amy Alvey – Fiddle, vocals
Chris Sartori – Electric bass
Alex Bice – Drum kit, cowbell

Hillary Reynolds, “Can’t Turn Off My Mind”

Artist: Hillary Reynolds
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin (for the summer) and Los Angeles, California (for the winter)
Song: “Can’t Turn Off My Mind”
Album: Changing Seasons
Release Date: May 22, 2025 (single); August 8, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Can’t Turn Off My Mind’ ended up being the first song I wrote for my album. It came in stages. I wrote the first half by myself and when I felt like it needed fresh energy, I turned to my dear friend and fellow artist, Madison Malone, for a little nudge. Simply put, ‘Can’t Turn Off My Mind’ is a song about insomnia. I love how the narrative has evolved over time. Since finishing this song, Madison and I have become mothers and insomnia has taken on a new meaning, becoming a familiar friend – whether it was breast feeding and watching Schitt’s Creek in the wee hours of the morning or having an endless to-do list running through my brain at 3 a.m., I love that this song is the first single, setting the tone of my forthcoming morning album, Changing Seasons.” – Hillary Reynolds

Track Credits:
Hillary Reynolds – Vocals, piano, songwriting
Madison Malone – Background vocals
Benjamin Kopf – Acoustic guitar, bass, singing bowl
Tom Shewmake – Octave mandolin
Matt Musty – Percussion
Jim Frink – Drums

Video Credit: Directed and filmed by New Normal Studios.

Vickie Vaughn, “Liza Jane”

Artist: Vickie Vaughn
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Liza Jane”
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I’ve loved Vince Gill’s ‘Liza Jane’ since I heard it on local country radio when I was little. His version is so iconic and playful and the groove is intoxicating. I wanted to take to the song and add some serious drama, giving it a little bit of a darker vibe and instead of just singing about Liza Jane, I wanted to be pleading and angry and desperate about her.” – Vickie Vaughn

Track Credits:
Vickie Vaughn – Upright bass, lead vocal
Cody Kilby – Guitar
Casey Campbell – Mandolin
Wes Corbett – Banjo
Dave Racine – Drums
Deanie Richardson – Fiddle
Lillie Mae Rische – Harmony vocal
Frank Rische – Harmony vocal

Mose Wilson, “Since I Lost You”

Artist: Mose Wilson
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Since I Lost You”
Album: That’s Love
Release Date: May 28, 2025 (single); July 17, 2025 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Since I Lost You’ is unlike anything I’ve released before. It’s a bridge between worlds – a song that could invite listeners from outside the traditional country audience to experience something new and unexpected. It’s a story of love lost told with a groove that’s both timeless and entirely my own.” – Mose Wilson

Track Credits:
Henry Long – Keyboards
Norbert McGettigan – Bass
John Papageourgiou – Drums
Will Johnson – Electric guitar
Stephen “Tebbs” Kearney – Dobro
Mose Wilson – Vocals, acoustic guitar

Photo Credit: Brothers Comatose by Jessie McCall; Caitlin Canty by Laura Partain.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From David Starr, Darren Nicholson, and More

Posted on by Justin Hiltner

For our final New Music Friday of February and as we look ahead to March, here are a half dozen brand new songs and videos you simply gotta hear.

Kicking us off, JD Clayton reminds himself and all of us that the speed of the internet, the news cycle, and social media is too damn fast. His new video reminds us of the power of “Slow & Steady” with a glitzy and gritty alt-Americana sound. A modern blues picking icon David Starr brings a new video for “Hole In The Page” as well, writing the book on lost love, lessons learned, and a liberal dose of longing with wailing organ and plenty of licks. Rounding out our videos this week is a frolic by Miss Georgia Peach, “Dusty,” that was inspired by her independent Maine Coon cat, Dusty Springfield, but ultimately celebrates autonomy and agency soundtracked by Americana meets Southern rock.

From the bluegrass realms, Darren Nicholson and band perform an original that Darren penned with Charles Humphrey (Songs From the Road Band). The pair regard their number, “Any Highway,” as a “modern classic” – and we think you’ll agree when you’ve heard this propulsive traveling song. Nicholson’s labelmate, Jaelee Roberts, can be found with a new track below, too. This gospel selection, “He’s Gone,” was written by Kelsi Harrigill (formerly of Flatt Lonesome) and features special guest vocalists Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White, and Cheryl White Jones joining Roberts.

You won’t want to miss a new single from new acoustic-infused Colorado string trio Salomé Songbird, who debut the lovely and contemplative “I’m Alright.” It’s a bit of a musical mantra, pushing through darkness and precipitous mental health to find strength with mandolin, violin, and guitar lending bluegrass and old-time touches.

It’s all right here on BGS and You Gotta Hear This!

JD Clayton, “Slow & Steady”

Artist: JD Clayton
Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Song: “Slow & Steady”
Album: Blue Sky Sundays
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Label: Rounder Records

In Their Words: “‘Slow & Steady’ is about a young carefree couple taking life easy in the summertime, living in the moment, fully content with living the slow life. My generation is crippled by depression and anxiety with me chief among them. We’re addicted to our phones and the attention we receive from strangers on the internet. I can’t go more than five minutes without checking to see if someone texted me or shared my post. I don’t want this for my life anymore. I want to change. I know things can be better! ‘Slow & Steady’ is more than a song, it’s a mindset. It’s a movement. I’m going to love and live in each moment. Slow and steady, easy does it. This is going to be the greatest summer of our lives.” – JD Clayton

Video Credits: Drifters Productions
Directed by Hannah Gray Hall.
Director of Photography – Ryan Mclemore

Miss Georgia Peach, “Dusty”

Artist: Miss Georgia Peach
Hometown: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Song: “Dusty”
Album: Class Out The Ass
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Label: Rum/Bar Records

In Their Words: “Technically, this song is about our feral, gorgeous Maine Coon cat, Dusty Springfield. The song practically wrote itself, following the opening hook, ‘Dusty’s goin’ out tonight,’ which came to me as she ran in looking perfectly happy and unworried after being gone for a number of days. The lyrics are for any wild independent beauty who can’t or won’t be tamed and knows what’s best for herself. She’s going out all night, doing exactly what she feels like doing, and despite your worries, she knows what’s what. She is mysterious and unknowable and incredibly fascinating. The music conveys love and frustration, confusion and devotion. The one left [at] home is the one going crazy and trying to figure out what’s going on, not experiencing the adventure Dusty is having. The video puts it in the context of a teenage girl living with her grandma in the country, testing her boundaries, wondering when her life will start. Like most teens, I felt trapped at home, ditching school and running wild at night with my friends. I was home in the morning and for dinner, but the in-between times were mine.” – Miss Georgia Peach

Track Credits:
Miss Georgia Peach – Vocals
Ruyter Suys – Guitar, backing vocals
Blaine Cartwright – Guitar
AJ Srubas – Fiddle
Mark Hendricks – Bass
Travis Ramin – Drums
Heather Parrish – Backing vocals

Video Credits: Directed and shot by Miss Georgia Peach.
Edited by Wendy Norton, Norton Video.

Darren Nicholson, “Any Highway”

Artist: Darren Nicholson
Hometown: Canton, North Carolina
Song: “Any Highway”
Release Date: February 28, 2025

In Their Words: “‘Any Highway’ is one of the first songs I ever wrote with Charles R. Humphrey III. Not only is it one of my favorites, but the No Joke Jimmy’s always had this one in the set list, so I felt I needed to get a good studio recording of it. It’s a story of a man who is so heartbroken by a free-spirited young lady he feels compelled to leave immediately. No plan, no direction, he just knows he has to go elsewhere. Sometimes, the best way to get over a heartache is by just getting to a place where you don’t have to stare it in the face it anymore.” – Darren Nicholson

“‘Any Highway’ is the first song Darren and I wrote. We had met years ago in Alaska while playing in separate bluegrass bands together. I was, and still am, a long time admirer of Darren’s singing, picking, and larger-than-life personality. These are qualities I look for in co-writers. In my opinion, the song itself is a historical fiction account of ‘the one that got away.’  The song style pays tribute to the bluegrass greats that perfected the hard-driving slick style of playing. I think it’s a really cool song, and it’s been the start of a fruitful co-writing friendship with Darren. ‘Any Highway’ is a modern day classic!” – Charles Humphrey III

Track Credits:
Darren Nicholson – Mandolin, lead vocal
Zach Smith – Upright bass
Colby Laney – Acoustic guitar
Deanie Richardson – Fiddle
Kristin Scott Benson – Banjo
Tony Creasman – Drums
Kevin Sluder – Harmony vocal
Jennifer Nicholson – Harmony vocal

Jaelee Roberts, “He’s Gone”

Artist: Jaelee Roberts
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “He’s Gone”
Release Date: February 28, 2025

In Their Words: “As the songs were coming together for my new album, I was still in need of a gospel song to record so I reached out to my very dear friend and mentor, Kelsi Harrigill, to see if she had written anything recently. She sent a few songs to me that I really liked but none of them felt like ‘the one.’ However, a few days later while she was vacuuming, she was inspired to write the song ‘He’s Gone’ and I knew after the first listen it was absolutely the one for me to record. This gospel song tells the incredible story of how Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again. ‘Praise God the tomb’s empty, He’s Gone.’

“I am so happy that I got to record this special song and thrilled to be joined by amazing musicians: Ron Block (banjo), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Cody Kilby (guitar), Andy Leftwich (mandolin), Justin Moses (dobro), and Byron House (bass/producer). To top it off and make a dream come true, three very special people in my life came to the studio to sing with me – Sharon White Skaggs, Cheryl White Jones, and Ricky Skaggs. I feel very blessed and honored to have their voices on ‘He’s Gone.’ I love this song so much and I am thankful for the message of ‘He’s Gone’ and I hope that each of you will love it, too.” – Jaelee Roberts

Salomé Songbird, “I’m Alright”

Artist: Salomé Songbird
Hometown: Colorado
Song: “I’m Alright”
Release Date: February 28, 2025

In Their Words: “Broadly, ‘I’m Alright’ is about being stuck someplace and needing to escape. It is full of imagery from every place I’ve ever been desperate to leave. There are a lot of references to following the sun or heading west, which would be a return home in my mind. On a personal level, this song is about suicide. I hope anyone listening who is also feeling that kind of darkness feels a little less alone. There is always someone who wants to help you and there is always another door that’s not that one.” – Joy Adams, songwriter, mandolin, vocals

“‘I’m Alright’ is a song that has been an important part of finding our voice and an audience that voice resonates with during live performance over the last couple years. I’m glad it’s now one of the first songs we’re releasing as a band.” – Bryan Dubrow, guitar

Track Credits:
Joy Adams – Songwriter, vocals, mandolin
Ariele Macadangdang – Vocals, violin
Bryan Dubrow – Guitar

David Starr, “Hole In The Page”

Artist: David Starr
Hometown: Cedaredge, Colorado
Song: “Hole In The Page”
Album: Must Be Blue
Release Date: January 24, 2025 (song); February 28, 2025 (video)
Label: Quarto Valley Records

In Their Words: “I am so excited to share my first release with Quarto Valley Records! It’s kind of ironic, because this song was the last song written for the album that happened by accident. The idea came about because of something I misheard on a radio show, thinking they said ‘hole in the page,’ which got the wheels turning. While I can’t remember what they actually said, I am so grateful for that spark of creativity. It’s funny that this song then turned into being the one to kick off the rest of the project. I love the energy of the track and that it packs a punch. Jason Lee Denton and I have collaborated on a number of videos together and I knew he would knock this one out of the park. I love the direction he took, it is the perfect visual representation of the song!” – David Starr

Track Credits:
David Starr – Acoustic guitar, vocals
Greg Morrow – Drums
Jeff King – Electric guitar
Mark Prentice – Bass, keyboards
Michelle Nicolo Prentice – Background vocals
Joe Starr – Electric guitar

Video Credits: Jason Lee Denton, Solar Cabin Productions

Photo Credit: David Starr by Jason Lee Denton; Darren Nicholson by Jeff Smith.