Tag: premiere

LISTEN: The Shootouts, “Cleaning House”

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Artist: The Shootouts
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Cleaning House”
Album: Quick Draw
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Label: MRI Entertainment/MegaForce Records

In Their Words: “‘Cleaning House’ is one of my favorite songs to sing from Quick Draw. It was written by Shootouts sideman Al Moss, who has performed with us since shortly after the band started in late 2015. Al wrote the song many, many years ago. When we were looking to add some new songs to the catalog, I asked Al if he had any songs that might fit the band. He humbly and quietly offered to see what he had lying around. A week or two later he offered up ‘Cleaning House’ and I was blown away. I was immediately hooked. It’s such a fun tune, and I love the play on words. It seemed like a natural song to open up the album.” –Ryan Humbert, The Shootouts

Photo Credit: Aimee Lambes

LISTEN: Andy Hughes & the Mighty Few, “Friday Nights”

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Artist: Andy Hughes & the Mighty Few
Hometown: La Crosse, Wisconsin
Song: “Friday Nights”
Album: Songs for Sunday
Release Date: March 24, 2019
Label: Move Along Music

In Their Words: “‘Friday Nights’ is classic-sounding country. I knew I wanted to write a song like that as I was listening to a lot of George Jones and Johnny Cash at the time. It’s a personal song but also takes some liberties within the verses to make the story relatable and have some mystique to it. As a musician on the road I’ve certainly felt that line, ‘Singing my way home to you…’ and I know my wife has, too. I believe a lot of us have probably been in a bar like that, too. The Mighty Few really throw down on this track!” — Andy Hughes

Photo credit: Dylan Overhouse

LISTEN: Smith Allen, “Waitin’ For My Wheels”

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Artist: Smith Allen
Hometown: Los Angeles, California (by way of Ohio)
Song: “Waitin’ For My Wheels”
Album: Smith Allen
Release Date: April 26, 2019

In Their Words: “‘Waitin’ For My Wheels’ was written during a moment of uncertainty and self-reflection. It’s a reminder to keep aiming for the life you desire, even when it may seem far out of reach. It’s sort of a pep talk to my old self, using some of my fears to drive the point home and gain much needed motivation. Producer Jason Soda brought some cookin’ guitars to the mix, adding a tasteful touch of color and twang. ‘Time moves slower on the West Coast,’ when the sun’s always shining and the nights are long. The wheels are finally turning and I’m thrilled to premiere this track through BGS!” — Smith Allen

Photo credit: Samantha Stenson

WATCH: The Suitcase Junket, “Old Machine”

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Artist: The Suitcase Junket
Hometown: Amherst, Massachusetts
Song: “Old Machine”
Album: Mean Dog, Trampoline
Release Date: April 5, 2019
Label: Signature Sounds Recordings

In Their Words: “A couple years ago I started working on a song and wrote the line ‘I made some moonshine.’ I hadn’t ever made moonshine so I kind of figured I didn’t have any business putting it in a song, but being the stubborn and curious sort I decided to go ahead and make the stuff instead of scrapping the song. I had been making wine and mead for a few years and had a basement full of bottles, some good, some questionable, some just bad. I made myself a stovetop still and turned a bunch of weird wine into even weirder moonshine. Then I finished the song. It came out better than the hooch.” — Matt Lorenz, The Suitcase Junket

Photo credit: David Jackson

LISTEN: Ky Burt, “Small Town Dream”

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Artist: Ky Burt
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Song: “Small Town Dream”
Album: The Sky in Between
Release Date: April 5, 2019
Label: Woodstove Records

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Small Town Dream’ in honor of the small towns I’ve lived in and traveled through across America. This song is my observation of the oldest towns that are still barely hanging on, where the roots run deep but the pockets lay thin. It is a testament of the enduring spirit and struggles of a country that is modernizing quicker than its antiquated towns can keep up with. And for myself and others, the enduring small town represents a slower way of life, a struggle to preserve community, and a place where old stories still live on the front porch steps.” — Ky Burt

Photo credit: Chelsea Donoho

LISTEN: Carrie Newcomer, “Shelter of the Sky”

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Artist: Carrie Newcomer
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
Song: “The Shelter of the Sky”
Album: The Point of Arrival
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Label: Available Light Records

In Their Words: “Growing up near Lake Michigan, you learn to love expanses of sky and freshwater, so I have always felt a certain kind of homecoming under the dome of an expansive sky. No matter where I am, there is the dome, the wide arms of something always changing but timeless. Because I am a touring musician, I am often a stranger who is far from home. It is easy to get ungrounded when you travel so much. But everywhere I go, there it is again, my feet on the earth and the dome of the sky above.

“The musicianship on this album and this song is nothing less than joyous. What a delight to work with such brilliant and totally original artists — Jordan Tice, Tristan Clarridge, Alex Hargreaves, Moira Smiley, Joe Phillips and Gary Walters. Together it felt like we created something that moved and expanded like fast-moving cloud banks, opening up into solos that felt like flying.” –Carrie Newcomer

Photo credit: Hugh Syme

LISTEN: Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert, “Ain’t Got Jesus”

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Artist: Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert
Hometown: Kane – Queens, New York | Gellert – Elkhart, Indiana
Song: “Ain’t Got Jesus”
Album: When The Sun Goes Down
Release Date: March 20, 2019
Label: Dead Reckoning Records

In Their Words “This song began with Kieran noodling around on the octave mandolin. I loved the riff he was playing, so I picked up the guitar and started playing along. The seeds of the lyrics came from the world of old-time music — Leake County Revelers, Fiddlin’ John Carson, and others — but, in true ‘folk process’ fashion, we sewed them together with modern references. And, as so often happens when writing songs, the initial direction of the song fractured into multiple layers of meaning. We recently had someone at a show holler, ‘What is that song about?’ While it’s tempting to launch into an explanation of intent, it’s more fun to let people hear what they hear.” — Rayna Gellert

Photo credit: Lucas Kane

WATCH: Head For The Hills, “Say Your Mind”

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Artist: Head For The Hills
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado
Song: “Say Your Mind”
Album: Say Your Mind EP
Release Date: March 22, 2019

In Their Words: “Inspired by my daughter, this is a song about holding near those who you can’t always be with. I feel this is something we all can relate to in some way. I wanted to write it from a very distant or beyond-the-grave perspective.” — Adam Kinghorn, Head for the Hills

“The video follows Boots, an estranged father figure, as he gets ready and goes to a big shindig. He’s unsure of how he’ll be received, somewhat nervous but determined. Beautiful cinematography highlights his journey across Fort Collins and arrival at the party, where he’s warmly welcomed with open arms. There’s old cars, cute kids — a little something for everyone.

Our story is one of unconditional love and reconciliation, features some of our close friends and family and was filmed in Fort Collins this winter. Lots of love went into this, we’re really excited to share it with you!” — Matt Loewen, Head for the Hills

LISTEN: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, “The Wind”

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Artist: Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Song: “The Wind”
Album: Stranger in the Alps
Release Date: March 15, 2019

In Their Words: “‘The Wind’ came quickly as a natural co-writing situation, with Bill Baldock (bass) supplying lyrics and Matt Wabnitz (guitar) on music and arrangement. It’s an introspective departure from some of the high-octane numbers we do. The 12/8 time makes this a lilting waltz, something not akin to anything in our catalog. Scott Risner stretches his chops on the archtop guitar, departing from the bevy of instruments he’s already incorporated into the group, to deliver beautiful counter-melodies.” –Buffalo Wabs & Price Hill Hustle

Photo credit: Kenny Dunn

WATCH: Eddie Heinzelman, “Wherever You Go” (Feat. Radney Foster)

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Artist: Eddie Heinzelman
Hometown: Brookville, Indiana (currently lives in Nashville)
Song: “Wherever You Go” (Feat. Radney Foster)
Album: Wherever You Go
Label: One Louder

In Their Words: “This song idea was initially inspired by my daughters as they were graduating high school and preparing to go to college and pursue their future. I took the idea to Radney who loved the idea and as we began writing, it took on a broader meaning. It’s a message to anyone who chases a dream or is looking at what lies ahead. I end my shows each night with this song to let everyone know they are never alone and that like my daughters, they can take my love with them wherever they go.” –Eddie Heinzelman

Photo credit: Barbara Potter Photography