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You Gotta Hear This: New Music from Louise Bichan, Alaina Stacey, and More

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

This week, BGS readers enjoyed two brand new, exclusive sessions – one from our friends at Yamaha Guitars featuring JigJam guitarist Jamie McKeogh and the other featuring songwriter/filmmaker Scott Ballew, direct from last summer’s Rootsy Summer Fest in Falkenberg, Sweden.

But that’s not all, we also have a handful of excellent track premieres from songwriters and musicians like Louise Bichan, Alaina Stacey, and Lily Kershaw. It’s all right here on BGS and, honestly, You Gotta Hear This:

Louise Bichan, “Coldstream”

Artist: Louise Bichan
Hometown: Orkney, Scotland will always be home, but for now it’s Cornish, Maine
Song: “Coldstream”
Album: The Lost Summer
Release Date: March 4, 2024 (single); April 5, 2024 (album)
Label: Adhyâropa Records

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Coldstream’ for my aunt and uncle and all of my cousins in Aberdeenshire, in the northeast of Scotland. Uncle Syd grew up playing the fiddle, but it was never cool at the time – he hid the fact that he did! Nowadays, he writes songs and plays a lot of tenor guitar, among other things, and it’s always a joy to visit Aberdeenshire and play a few tunes with him.” – Louise Bichan

Track Credits:
Louise Bichan – fiddle
Ethan Setiawan – mandolin
Brendan Hearn – cello
Conor Hearn – guitar
Produced, engineered, and mixed by Ethan Setiawan.
Mastered by Peter Atkinson.

Alaina Stacey, “I Would”

Artist: Alaina Stacey
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Song: “I Would”
Album: DAY (EP)
Release Date: May 3, 2024

In Their Words: “This is the first song I wrote with my now bandmate and writing partner, Sam Gyllenhaal. First co-writes are sort of like first dates: You go in with hope & expectations and sometimes you find true love, and sometimes it crashes and burns and becomes a great story to tell later. Luckily, I found true songwriter love with Sam. I was trying to create new starts and say yes to new things, so I went into our first write and opened my heart to the possibility of a new beginning. Sam met me there 100%. I think it came out in this song – the desire to make a fresh start, to have a do-over, and to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Of course, you can’t go back in time. With every epiphany comes the mistake that gave it to you in the first place.” – Alaina Stacey

Track Credits:
Written by Alaina Stacey & Sam Gyllenhaal.
Alaina Stacey – Vocals, background vocals
Josh Hunt – Drums & percussion
Todd Lombardo – Acoustic guitar, high strung guitar
Matt Pierson – Bass
Dustin Ransom – Keys, background vocals
Evan Redwine – Electric guitar, programming, engineer, mixing, producer

Video Credits:
Tiffany Roberts – Female lead
Caleb Shore – Male lead
Directed, Produced, Edited and Colored by Rob Bondurant.

Lily Kershaw, “Americandream”

Artist: Lily Kershaw
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Americandream”
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words:“As I started to resurface from years of prolonged depression in my 20s, a friend one day was telling me about her American dreams. When she asked me what mine were, I told her I didn’t have any. She couldn’t believe that I didn’t have dreams of things I wanted to do in my life. I mean, I loved writing music and sharing it with people, but after battling with depression for so long, there was no place I wanted to go or thing I wanted to do. I had sort of given up. I wrote this song after having this conversation with her that very night. I was in the midst of recording my upcoming album, so I brought it in the next day to the studio finished, and it fit the album perfectly. I love the optimism at the end. I was really singing that to myself… the idea that it’s not too late, and I can still have dreams and live them.” – Lily Kershaw

Yamaha Sessions: Jamie McKeogh

It was early fall when we met with JigJam guitarist Jamie McKeogh just outside of Nashville, Tennessee to capture this brand new, exclusive Yamaha Session.

For his first selection, McKeogh picked up his gorgeous custom Yamaha acoustic guitar and performed “Streets of London,” a song written by Ralph McTell and popularized in bluegrass circles by Tony Rice. McKeogh laughs as he plays through a handful of takes of the tune, trying to remember the order of the verses and hoping he’ll do Rice and McTell justice with his slightly Celtic-infused rendition. His voice is warm and cozy, accompanied by free and tender transatlantic flatpicking that references Rice as often as it explores brand new sonic territories. “Streets of London” shines with McKeogh’s – and JigJam’s – classic treatment, processing American roots music through a Celtic and Irish bluegrass lens.

Rootsy Summer Sessions: Scott Ballew

Last summer in Falkenberg, Sweden, videographers from I Know We Should shot a series of gorgeous sessions during Rootsy Summer Fest ’23, peeling off from the festival with artists from the lineup to capture intimate recordings of fleeting live performances. For the latest in our Rootsy Summer Sessions series, singer-songwriter and filmmaker Scott Ballew performed two songs on the banks of the Ätran overlooking the historic Tullbron bridge and fly fishermen stalking their quarry in the fast flowing water.

“Alright, I’ll try a river song…” Ballew says, introducing an original with a perfect subject for the setting. The selection is “Tent Song” from his 2021 critically-acclaimed debut album, Talking to Mountains. He continues with “Blue Eyes,” from 2022’s follow up to Talking to Mountains, entitled Leisure Rodeo.

Photo Credit: Louise Bichan by Louise Bichan; Alaina Stacey by Tanner Grandstaff.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Tray Wellington, Corb Lund, and More

Posted on February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

We love a week absolutely filled to the brim with music – and we don’t just mean because we’re attending Folk Alliance International and hosting a private showcase room in Kansas City this week!

This week, there were just too many exciting releases and new songs to feature, so buckle up for seven excellent premieres – cause You Gotta Hear This! From a John Hiatt cover by modernist banjo player Tray Wellington to a brand new music video from country neo-traditionalist Corb Lund, from Amelia White to the Roe Family Singers, there’s something for every taste and from every style of American roots music.

Tray Wellington, “Lift Up Every Stone”

Artist: Tray Wellington
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Song: “Lift Up Every Stone”
Release Date: February 23, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “For me, ‘Lift Up Every Stone’ encompasses a sense of encouragement to fight through the hard times in life. When I first heard the John Hiatt version of this song, I loved the use of imagery to convey the lifting atmosphere. It was also a chance to try something new musically, which for anything I record, I want to be challenged more and more — and this was the perfect way to step outside of my comfort zone.” – Tray Wellington

Track Credits:
Tray Wellington – Banjo, lead vocal
Drew Matulich – Guitar, electric guitar
Katelynn Bohn – Bass
Josiah Nelson – Mandolin, fiddle
DaShawn Hickman – Pedal steel guitar
Wendy Hickman – Lead vocal, harmony vocal

Corb Lund, “El Viejo (For Ian)”

Artist: Corb Lund
Hometown: Alberta, Canada
Song: “El Viejo (For Ian)”
Album: El Viejo
Release Date: February 23, 2024
Label: New West Records

In Their Words: “We dedicated the record to our late friend, Ian Tyson, and the title track is a tribute to him. ‘El Viejo’ was our friendly nickname for him and it means ‘the old man.’ I’m pretty proud of the song, and the video, which uses a lot of cool old stock footage of him. Hope the record is as satisfying to listen to as it was for us to make. I left it all on the field for this one.” – Corb Lund

Video Credits:
Noah Fallis – Director, Director of Photography
Jamie Campbell – Producer
Brendan Schmidt – Camera Operator, Editor
Ethan Wournell – First A/C
Blair Bourque – Key Grip
Alyssa Howland – Gaffer
Archival footage of Ian Tyson courtesy of Neil McGonagle

Amelia White, “Love I Swore”

Artist: Amelia White
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Love I Swore”
Album: Love I Swore
Release Date: February 23, 2024
Label: Thirty One Tigers

In Their Words: “The title track of Love I Swore is a dark and stormy love letter. I wrote it on the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh in deep summer on tour when the sky stayed light until midnight. The ghosts of what I wished a love was and how it seemed to be slipping away were talking, and I wondered if a bird that had left the cage would be happy coming back? Kim Richey (producer) called in Eamon McLoughlin to slay our hearts with violin as the track builds. This honestly is one of my favorite guitar lines that has ever come out of me, and I hope all you troubled lovers find some strange comfort here.“ – Amelia White

Stephanie Sammons, “Faithless”

Artist: Stephanie Sammons
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Song: “Faithless”
Album: Time and Evolution
Release Date: May 3, 2024

In Their Words: “What inspired this song was an old friend from high school who died from suicide in 2022. I kept up with her on social media. She would post pictures of her dog and her kids. Her posts seemed joyful and even funny from time to time. How could I have known she was suffering so immensely? If only I would have known! It was heartbreaking. I felt so helpless.

“And then there are the painful feelings with regards to my younger sister, who has had a rough time just doing ‘life’ in general. Even though we’re only 14 months apart, I was absent and oblivious to what she was going through during her darkest days. I’ve wondered, why does she continue to battle demons and dark places and I don’t? And why did it take me so long to realize how her anger was pain turned inward? I have guilt about not being there for my sibling.

“Because of the pain I have seen others endure and I have felt, this song explores my deep questions about faith. I’m asking myself, what do I have faith in? ‘Faithless’ is reflecting on the indiscriminate nature of suffering, generational trauma, and what ultimately happens to our souls when we depart this world.” – Stephanie Sammons

Track Credits:
Written and published by Stephanie Sammons

Stephanie Sammons – Vocals, acoustic guitar
Mary Bragg (producer) – Background vocals
Josh Kaler – Guitars and pedal steel
Jordan Perlson – Drums, percussion
Jon Estes– Bass, piano, organ

The Roe Family Singers, “Little Trouble”

Artist: The Roe Family Singers
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Song: “Little Trouble”
Album: Sisters And Brothers
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Label: Bonfire Music Group

In Their Words: “I’ve long been interested in the folk process; specifically, the idea that newer folk songs borrow melodies and lyrics from earlier songs and repurpose them. ‘Little Trouble’ started life by borrowing part of the melody from the traditional song ‘Little Birdy,’ and reimagines some of the lyrics, too, updating them to deal with modern concerns like urban versus rural, social media, political scare-mongering and manufactured moral panics, and a culture held together through pharmacology.” – Quillan Roe

Wolf Jett, “Tavira”

Artist: Wolf Jett
Hometown: Santa Cruz Mountains
Song: “Tavira”
Album: Time Will Finally Come
Release Date: February 23, 2024

In Their Words: “Imagine leaving your cushy pharma job and rent-controlled apartment in SF to travel by bicycle and busk through southern Spain for a year. One day, you lose your wallet skinny-dipping near the Portuguese border and then you come upon the village of Tavira. Upon first glance, the cobblestone streets and whitewashed buildings seem unremarkable, until you cross the Roman bridge over the canal, break open your guitar case, and start playing. Next thing you know, a large crowd gathers around, dancing and cheering, and you make more tips than you’ve seen all month. A French expat offers for you to stay on his farm to help with the fig harvest, and next thing you know you’re closer to Eden than ever. This is a love song to Portugal and the wonderful times I spent there.” – Chris Jones, lead singer and songwriter

Pi Jacobs, “Coyote”

Artist: Pi Jacobs
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Coyote”
Album: Soldier On
Release Date: April 26, 2024
Label: Blackbird Record Label

In Their Words: “The song began one day when a coyote stalked my dog on a walk, following us home, and even jumping our fence that night. It was a terrifying experience, but the metaphor it brought to mind was even more menacing. My best friend had been fighting cancer and every time we thought it was gone, it would spring back up, just like this dang coyote. The image was so powerful, that when I told the story to my co-writer, Ted Russell Kamp, the song just about wrote itself! But even with this bleak backstory, the song sounds ‘happy,’ and I’m happy to report that both my dog and my friend are alive and well. Take that coyote!” – Pi Jacobs

Track Credits: Written by Lisa Marie Jacobs and Ted Russell Kamp

Recorded in Los Angeles at Carriage House & Forty Below Records
Eric Corne & Pi Jacobs – Producers
Eric Corne – Engineer
Mark Chalecki – Mastering engineer
Pi Jacobs – Guitar, lead vocal, backing vocal
Adam Hall – Dobro, banjo
Zack Hall – Upright bass
Butch Norton – Drums, percussion
Philip Glen – Mandolin

Video Credit: Taylor Hungerford, Director / Silver Spark Printworks

Photo Credit: Tray Wellington by Heidi Holloway; Corb Lund by Noah Fallis.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Ben Sollee, Sideline, and More

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

This week, BGS readers were graced by two special, Valentine’s Day-themed premieres from jamgrass supergroup The High Hawks and singer-songwriter Caroline Cotter. Plus, our old friend, Kentucky-based cellist Ben Sollee, brought us a gorgeous new performance video of a John Prine cover shot surrounded by verdant houseplants.

Below, catch up on that new music you might have missed from earlier in the week and discover brand new, exclusive premieres from bluegrass group Sideline and indie/Americana duo the Ballroom Thieves. It’s all right here on BGS and… You Gotta Hear This!

Sideline, “The Lives of the Innocent”

Artist: Sideline
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Song: “The Lives of the Innocent”
Release Date: February 16, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “It was great getting back in the studio after over two years. There was a lot of bottled-up magic that came bursting out when we hit the first downbeat. This song fit the very definition of what Sideline is as a sound and the energy we project. It certainly enters the catalog as a blood-pumping, foot stomping, Sideline hit for the ages.” – Skip Cherryholmes, guitar

“‘The Lives of the Innocent’ was a song that was inspired by the Hibriten Guards during the Civil War that mustered in Alexander County, North Carolina. They saw heavy combat during the war, suffering a high casualty rate, and this tune chronicles what potentially could have been one of the soldiers in those ranks. Steve [Dilling] and the guys bumped the tempo a little and captured the essence of the song and the singing is just top-notch!” – Shannon Slaughter, songwriter

Track Credits:
Skip Cherryholmes – Guitar
Steve Dilling – Banjo, harmony vocal
Matt Flake – Fiddle
Nick Goad – Mandolin, harmony vocal
Kyle Windbeck – Bass
Bailey Coe – Lead vocal

The Ballroom Thieves, “Tender”

Artist: The Ballroom Thieves
Hometown: Easton, Massachusetts
Song: “Tender”
Album: Sundust
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “We were listening to the band Watchhouse at Newport Folk Festival in 2022 and their sparse instrumentation and fluid melodies inspired us to start writing ‘Tender’ right on the spot. We learn a lot from our peers, and in this case, the lesson was about the importance of creating space for your songs to breathe so you can hear what’s happening between the notes.” – The Ballroom Thieves

Ben Sollee, “Only Love” (John Prine Cover)

Artist: Ben Sollee
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Song: “Only Love”
Release Date: February 13, 2023

In Their Words: “John Prine had a knack for folding mantras in to his songs. This song has a message that resonates deeply with my journey as a creative, father, and husband [and] that is so needed in this fitful world. ‘When love comes your way, you learn to say, I love you!’” – Ben Sollee

More here.

The High Hawks, “This Is What Love Feels Like”

Artist: The High Hawks
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado and All Points Between, USA
Song: “This Is What Love Feels Like”
Album: Mother Nature’s Show
Release Date: February 16, 2024

In Their Words: “This song sits in a slightly different world than the rest of The High Hawks’ new record. It’s a step into the mind of a hopeless romantic at a show, waiting for the band to come on with his love by his side. Sometimes the world just seems to conspire to make everything just right. This is about one of those nights. The song came out of a co-write with Chris Gelbuda, Shawn Camp, and myself one Nashville summer afternoon. I’m glad it found a home with The High Hawks!” — Vince Herman

More here.

Caroline Cotter, “Do You Love Me?”

Artist: Caroline Cotter
Hometown: from Providence, Rhode Island; currently living in Ellsworth, Maine
Song: “Do You Love Me?”
Album: Gently As I Go
Release Date: August 18, 2023

In Their Words: “‘Do You Love Me?’ is a love song, short and sweet and perhaps a bit tongue–in–cheek, echoing desperate and anxious attempts from a hopeless romantic to their new love (and the universe) to get some certainty in very uncertain territory. This anxiety and excitement come together in a fun little package, trading places depending on the day or the moment, and sometimes it’s best to laugh at the silliness of it all, and realize that attempts to know or pretend to know by reading the signs are likely futile, but if nothing else, they’re fun to sing about. I love how Fernando’s illustrations in the video bring out the whimsy, playfulness, and sweetness of the lyrics.” – Caroline Cotter

More here.

Photo Credit: The Ballroom Thieves by Meredith Brockington; Ben Sollee by Jessica Ebelhar.

WATCH: Caroline Cotter, “Do You Love Me?”

Posted on February 14, 2024February 14, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

Photo Credit: Katherine Emery
Video Credit: Fernando Osuna

LISTEN: The High Hawks, “This Is What Love Feels Like”

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

Track Credits: Written by Vince Herman, Shawn Camp, Chris Gelbuda

Vince Herman – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Adam Greuel – background vocals, acoustic guitar
Tim Carbone – fiddle
Chad Staehly – piano, mellotron
Brian Adams – bass guitar
Will Trask – percussion

Photo Credit: Michael Weintrob

WATCH: Ben Sollee, “Only Love” (John Prine Cover)

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

Artist: Ben Sollee
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Song: “Only Love”
Release Date: February 13, 2023

In Their Words: “John Prine had a knack for folding mantras in to his songs. This song has a message that resonates deeply with my journey as a creative, father, and husband [and] that is so needed in this fitful world. ‘When love comes your way, you learn to say, I love you!'” – Ben Sollee

Photo Credit: Jessica Ebelhar
Video Credit: Created by Josh Ford, FordFoto.
Recorded at Mahonia Studios, Louisville, Kentucky.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From LULLANAS, Ethan Sherman, and More

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

New music Friday might just be the best day of the week, right? This week, BGS readers enjoyed an exclusive premiere from Gangstagrass featuring Jerry Douglas and a brand new Rootsy Summer Session with Emily Scott Robinson joined by Violet Bell.

In this week’s edition of You Gotta Hear This, you can check out the new Gangstagrass single, “The Only Way Out Is Through,” and Robinson’s two performances from Falkenberg, Sweden. Plus, don’t miss exclusive premieres from artists and musicians like LULLANAS, Ethan Sherman, Jake Byrne, Bri Bagwell, and Mia Dyson. Also, Angus & Julia Stone at long last release a studio version of “The Wedding Song” – a fan-favorite track and a frequent wedding ceremony and reception playlist choice – for the first time.

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

LULLANAS, “Pretty Lies and Time Machines”

Artist: LULLANAS
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Song: “Pretty Lies and Time Machines”
Album: Pretty Lies and Time Machines
Release Date: February 9, 2024 (single); June 14, 2024 (album)
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words: “Throughout our writing process, Nishita and I almost always envision visuals or a music video concept for each song. If we can’t visualize it, the song isn’t complete yet. ‘Pretty Lies and Time Machines,’ co-written with Jake Etheridge, explores the thoughts that keep us up at night. After finishing the song, we envisioned strolling through a whimsical ghost town, surrounded only by our thoughts. Collaborating closely with our friend and producer, Keith Goodwin (Good Old War), every element added to the track helped tell that story, bringing our vision to life.” – Atisha Lulla

Ethan Sherman, “Lake Aire”

Artist: Ethan Sherman
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Song: “Lake Aire”
Album: Passages
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Label: Indoor Recordings, distributed by Free Dirt

In Their Words: “This is a new-fangled old-time-adjacent slow-jam-rager of an instrumental. When I first wrote it, it was a lot faster and had a few extra parts. My producer extraordinaire, Wes Corbett, suggested we take out all the filler and slow the tempo down to really make it sing. Like all of the music on Passages, the thing that makes this tune ‘work’ is the way this stellar band played it – with deep interaction and lots of in-the-moment interplay. My favorite parts are Rob Ickes’s beautiful phrasing of the melody on the Dobro and the collective improvised build in the middle of the tune. It was so fun to work this up with these guys.” – Ethan Sherman

Track Credits: Ethan Sherman – guitar
Rob Ickes – Dobro
Wes Corbett – banjo
Thomas Cassell – mandolin
Avery Merritt – fiddle
Ethan Jodziewicz – bass

Jake Byrne, “Robbed A Giving Tree”

Artist: Jake Byrne
Hometown: Lake Ozark, Missouri
Song: “Robbed a Giving Tree”
Release Date: February 9, 2024

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Robbed a Giving Tree’ when I was transitioning from a very purpose driven career to one working from home that just paid the bills. To emotionally compensate, I became overly generous with my time, talents, and resources with near strangers. I grew symbiotic relationships with some people that have flourished into beautiful friendships, but I also created toxic relationships that, to me, equate to being nothing more than ‘their giving tree.’ I unfortunately learned the difference between being useful versus being used. Ultimately for the sake of self preservation, I had cut off a bit of my generous side that was supposed to bring me a sense of purpose.” – Jake Byrne

Angus & Julia Stone, “The Wedding Song”

Artist: Angus & Julia Stone
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Song: “The Wedding Song”
Album: Cape Forestier
Release Date: February 9, 2024 (single); May 10, 2024 (album)
Label: Nettwerk Music Group

In Their Words:“We’ve received so many requests from fans for a proper recording to use on their special day, so we decided to make that happen. ‘The Wedding Song’ was originally written for a friend’s wedding years ago. Since then, we’ve been honored to play it at several friends’ and family’s weddings, including our mum’s… We chose it as our first single from our upcoming record because it’s all about love. The song is a celebration of love and human connection. In a world that can feel disconnected and frightening, we want to share something that reflects the beauty of how humans choose to treat each other, love each other, and make promises to build something beautiful together.” – Julia Stone

Video Credits: Directed by Jarrad Seng.

Animation by Johanna Gousset.

Bri Bagwell, “The Rescue”

Artist: Bri Bagwell
Hometown: Grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico; now New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “The Rescue”
Release Date: February 9, 2024
Label: New Texican Records

In Their Words: “I found my chihuahua, who I named Whiskey, in February of 2019 in the middle of the road, southeast of Austin, Texas. I have always heard the phrase ‘who rescued who,’ but I know in my heart that she rescued me more than I rescued her! I stopped traffic when I saw her in the middle of the road and chased her until she eventually gave in and let me catch her. She was heartworm positive, cold, and dirty; I was in a toxic relationship, sad, and tired. We’ve been inseparable ever since! The only artistic license in the song is finding her at night, when it was actually midday. The rest is our true story!

“I enlisted the help of one of my absolute favorite songwriters and friends, Helene Cronin, to help me write the tune. She is very careful with lyrics and melodies, and I trust her deeply with my important ideas. This one happened rather quickly, but Helene had to sing it for the worktape, because I was sobbing like a baby. The first few times performing it live, I couldn’t get through it… Someone even apologized to me about my dog passing away, which made me laugh with embarrassment. She’s fine and healthy, and my love for her just overflows to tears sometimes.” – Bri Bagwell

Mia Dyson, “Sunny Hills”

Artist: Mia Dyson
Hometown: Torquay, Australia
Song: “Sunny Hills”
Album: Tender Heart
Release Date: February 23, 2024

In Their Words:“My husband and I wrote this song together, thinking of the eternal Sunny Hills that all who have loved before us have played in. When we love, all the lovers from the past are with us. If we listen quietly we can hear them guiding us. Extending this love out to those we disagree with or don’t like is a radical and rebellious thing to try. Hatred and cynicism are easy. Love is difficult. My job is not to get brought down by my fear and hatred and greed. Everything changes when I look through the lens of knowing I have the company of all who have gone before.” – Mia Dyson

Gangstagrass, “The Only Way Out Is Through”

Artist: Gangstagrass
Hometown: All over the USA! Rench: Brooklyn with Oklahoma roots; Dolio the Sleuth: Pensacola, Florida; R-SON the Voice of Reason: Philly; Danjo: Washington, D.C.; Farrow: Omaha; Sleevs: Baltimore.
Song: “The Only Way Out Is Through”
Release Date: February 7, 2024 (video); February 2, 2024 (single)
Label: Rench Audio

In Their Words: “I’m really into how much we played with tension and energy to craft this track, the dynamics came out so powerfully. Especially with the horns! (Provided by Lowdown Brass Band.) We were stunned by the quick ‘yes’ from the one and only Jerry Douglas, who put in a blisteringly intense Dobro solo. I dare you to tell me you’ve heard anything like this before. I feel like this will be a great song for psyching yourself up to kick ass at whatever you are about to do.” – Rench

WATCH: Gangstagrass, “The Only Way Out Is Through” (feat. Jerry Douglas)

Posted on February 6, 2024February 15, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

“When you ask Jerry Douglas to collaborate with you and he says yes, it says something about him and it says something about you. Jerry is the quintessential progressive bluegrass musician, with one foot permanently rooted in a genuine love of musical tradition and the other foot continually stretching forward and in every direction, looking for ways to bring traditional music into new places. ‘The Only Way Out Is Through’ makes the case, fearlessly, that what we do is in the true spirit of bluegrass: innovative, collaborative, awesome.” – Danjo

“‘The Only Way Out Is Through’ was a lotta fun to make: a bumping, triumphant track where we get to spit fire bars, a mantra of a hook, plus Jerry Douglas going BANANAS on the Dobro!” – Dolio the Sleuth

“Making Gangstagrass music is always dope. Adding some Lowdown Brass Band to the mix and a LEGEND like Jerry Douglas is even mo’ dope!” – R-SON the Voice of Reason

Track Credits:

Rench – beats, vocals
Dolio the Sleuth – MC, vocals
R-SON the Voice of Reason – MC
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Dan “Danjo” Whitener – banjo, guitar, mandolin, vocals
B.E. Farrow – fiddle, vocals
Lowdown Brass Band – horns
Sleevs – management / behind-the-scenes

Photo Credit: Melodie Yvonne
Video Credit: Directed by TOUGH DUMPLIN & MZ.ICAR; Post-Production by Someplace Called Brooklyn.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music from Caleb Caudle, Zoe Boekbinder, and More

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

This week, BGS readers enjoyed two brand new, original sessions – one from Jesper Lindell at Rootsy Summer Fest ’23 and the other featuring bluegrass singer-songwriter Theo MacMillan for our latest Yamaha Session.

Now, to wrap up the week, we’re celebrating new releases from a host of roots musicians like Caleb Caudle, Zoe Boekbinder, Eddie Sanders, Denmark-based string band Twang, and fiddler Andy Leftwich.

Of all the new music released this week, you gotta hear this!

Caleb Caudle, “Monte Carlo”

Artist: Caleb Caudle
Hometown: Germanton, North Carolina
Song: “Monte Carlo”
Album: Live From Cash Cabin
Release Date: January 31, 2024 (single); February 29, 2024 (EP)

In Their Words: “We recorded these songs live at Cash Cabin in the spring of 2022 and had such a great time. It was one of my last memories of playing music with my friend, Alex McKinney, who recently passed away after a battle with cancer. His untimely death hit me like a ton of bricks and I wanted to release this now to showcase what an amazing musician he was. I’m so thankful for these recordings that keep his spirit alive.” – Caleb Caudle

Video Credit: Joseph Cash

Zoe Boekbinder, “Hold My Hand”

Artist: Zoe Boekbinder
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Song: “Hold My Hand”
Album: Wildflower
Release Date: February 2, 2024 (single); April 26, 2024 (album)
Label: Are and Be Recordings

In Their Words: “‘Hold My Hand’ was written on a farm of rescue horses in the mountains in northern Spain. I was there doing a music residency in the summer of 2017. Myself and another songwriter, Dustin Hamman, co-wrote a collection of songs and recorded them all in one week. We also each wrote one song independent of each other. ‘Hold My Hand’ was mine. We slept in the attic of the horse barn, directly above the horse stalls. One of the horses had digestive issues that caused it to fart very loudly and constantly. It was an interesting soundtrack for sleeping. Somehow in that silliness, I wrote this very painful song about my confused heart.” – Zoe Boekbinder

Twang, “Crowdpleaser”

Artist: Twang
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Song: “Crowdpleaser”
Release Date: February 2, 2024

In Their Words: “The song talks about a musician’s encounter with the audience and the fear that things could go terribly wrong. Despite this fear, the message is to be honest and give everything you have, in order to receive the same honesty and love in return. The chorus goes: ‘Love is honesty, honesty, respect / What you give is what you get.'” – Twang

Video Credit: Hidayet C

Eddie Sanders, “Chasing That Midnight Moon”

Artist: Eddie Sanders
Hometown: McAlester, Oklahoma
Song: “Chasing That Midnight Moon”
Album: Born to Fly
Label: True Lonesome Records

In Their Words: “I really love this new single, ‘Chasing That Midnight Moon,’ a song I co-wrote with my producer and good friend, Glen Duncan. Glen, along with an all-star cast of pickers, found a dynamic studio groove on this one right away. Then, when the great John Cowan added his signature harmony, it immediately became one of my favorites on the forthcoming album and locked it in as the debut single. I can’t wait for everyone to check it out on the new True Lonesome Records label!” – Eddie Sanders

“What a pleasure and pleasant surprise to get to participate on Eddie’s ‘Chasing That Midnight Moon.’ Eddie possesses one of the finest voices and songwriting gifts in contemporary bluegrass music.” – John Cowan

Andy Leftwich, “Behind the 8 Ball”

Artist: Andy Leftwich
Hometown: Carthage, Tennessee
Song: “Behind the 8 Ball”
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “The idea of this song was to have an upbeat ‘barn burner’ that could lend itself to some really creative soloing, and I feel like we captured that here. I have to give the credit of the title to my wife, Rachel, who heard me mention this phrase while in the studio recording it. We were moving along, but not at the pace I was hoping, so we were behind on time. At the end of the day, she mentioned naming this song, ‘Behind the 8 Ball.’ I thought it was perfect! It certainly has that anxious spirit we all have from time to time when we get in tough spots, but it’s a fun tune that has great energy and a different sound than you normally hear in bluegrass ‘barn burner’ instrumentals.” – Andy Leftwich

Jesper Lindell, “It Ain’t Easy”

Last summer, on the banks of the Ätran beside Tryckhallen – Rootsy Summer & Winter Fests’ home venue – in Falkenberg, Sweden, Jesper Lindell offered two songs in simple, stripped down, acoustic performances for his Rootsy Summer Session. On a balcony overlooking the rushing water and festival stage, he sings “It Ain’t Easy,” a song of long-suffering and devotion from his 2023 EP, Windows Vol. 1.

Theo MacMillan, “The One That’s Broken”

For our second original session this week, Theo MacMillan (of Theo & Brenna) and his band performed for an exclusive Yamaha Session at Solar Cabin last fall. MacMillan, who brought along Jed Clark (bass), Harry Clark (mandolin), and Cory Walker (banjo), pulled his Yamaha acoustic guitar out of the case and performed two original numbers. The first, “The One That’s Broken,” leans forward at a breakneck pace, channeling the frustration of a messy relationship’s end with cattywampus stops artfully executed by the band, tight and together.

Watch more here.

Photo Credit: Caleb Caudle by Joseph Cash; Zoe Boekbinder by Justin Nunnink.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Sister Sadie, John Leventhal, and More

Posted on January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Justin Hiltner

This week, BGS readers enjoyed a track premiere from California-based string band Moonsville Collective, as well as our very first Rootsy Summer Session featuring an exclusive performance by Israel Nash on the streets of Falkenberg, Sweden. Also, in this week’s edition of Out Now, we highlighted a brand new single from Mary Bragg, too.

Featured in today’s premiere round-up, You Gotta Hear This, is new music from bluegrass supergroup Sister Sadie with their illustrious friend, Ashley McBryde, plus producer, guitarist, musician extraordinaire John Leventhal, Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, the Grackles featuring Kat Edmonson, and North Carolina bluegrass/Americana outfit Unspoken Tradition.

We hope you enjoy a week’s worth of new music and videos; ’cause You Gotta Hear This!

Sister Sadie, “Ode to the Ozarks” (featuring Ashley McBryde)

Artist: Sister Sadie
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Ode To The Ozarks” (featuring Ashley McBryde)
Album: No Fear
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “This song was originally sent to me by a great songwriter from Nashville that we’re all big fans of, Marcus Hummon. When I heard the demo, I could hear us doing it immediately in my head and sent it around to the band. I thought it would be a great fit for us and had some awesome vocal harmony possibilities. The song was co-written by Ashley McBryde and Kat Higgins, who we’re also big fans of. In the meantime, Dani Flowers had joined Sister Sadie and is very close friends with Ashley. So of course she was an advocate for doing the song as well, and asked Ashley if she would consider singing on it with us in the studio. She graciously agreed and we were so honored to have her join us! We’re grateful to Marcus, Ashley, and Kat for entrusting us to give it the right treatment. It has a very ‘swampy’ feel and is such a FUN song to perform live. We got to perform this song on the Grand Ole Opry with Ashley and that was such a special memory for us all! Hope you love it as much as we do.” – Gena Britt, banjo

“I am so happy with the way ‘Ode To The Ozarks’ turned out. It ended up so funky and dirty with the stellar musicianship of Seth Taylor, Tristan Scroggins, and Tony Creasman added to the Sadie girls. We are so honored that Ashley McBryde agreed to sing on this one with us. The icing on the cake!” – Deanie Richardson, fiddle

John Leventhal, “That’s All I Know About Arkansas” (featuring Rosanne Cash)

Artist: John Leventhal
Hometown: New York, New York
Song: “That’s All I Know About Arkansas” (featuring Rosanne Cash)
Album: Rumble Strip
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Label: RumbleStrip Records

In Their Words: “Rosanne had these lyrics. I wasn’t sure what they were actually about, but I loved them and they seemed to fit with a weird West African-bluegrass riff I had. There are two distinct guitar solos, each a tip of the hat to two musicians to whom I owe a debt: Ry Cooder and Clarence White.” – John Leventhal

Grackles, “Top Of The World” (featuring Kat Edmonson)

Artist: Grackles
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Song: “Top Of The World” featuring Kat Edmonson
Album: Grackles
Release Date: February 24, 2024 (album)

In Their Words: “‘Top Of The World’ was a beautiful chord structure Jason [Mozersky] had, that we all sat and strummed together on acoustic guitars live in the studio with upright bass and brushes on the drums. It instantly felt so warm and welcoming. I knew I wanted to sing it way lower than normal, so got Kat Edmonson to sing the melody with me. Sort of a Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra vibe. Lyrically, it’s pretty straight forward. It’s such a short, honest piece, I really tried hard not to let the words get in the way. I’m happily married and with a beautiful daughter and find my own life to be pretty damn great. Meanwhile the world around me crumbles. We bounce from one shit storm to the next, and try desperately to keep it together.” – Noah Lit

Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road, “Homesick For Virginia”

Artist: Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road
Hometown: Deep Gap, North Carolina
Song: “Homesick For Virginia”
Album: Yellow Line
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Label: Pinecastle Records

In Their Words:“This song (penned by Colton Kerchner) is a story of misadventure and longing for home. Though the song is straightforward and wrapped in a 3/4 bluegrass power waltz, I felt like a lot of folks could relate to the message behind it. Being young, 20-something musicians out there on the road, home is always on our minds along with our friends and family, who we frequently miss. This is one of the more traditional tunes on the album, and I thought the guys really knocked it out of the park with the feel of that old Stanley-inspired sound.” – Liam Purcell

Unspoken Tradition, “Weary Town”

Artist: Unspoken Tradition
Hometown: Cherryville, North Carolina
Song: “Weary Town”
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “Our hometown was a great place to grow up. It thrived for decades because of a trucking company founded by some of its citizens. Many locals found work there; it was almost analogous to a mining town. That trucking company was bought by a larger corporation that ultimately closed the terminal, and the town became a shell of its former self in a matter of a few years. It hurts in a way only bittersweet nostalgia can, to know that the town where I made so many memories exists in name only. When John Cloyd Miller sent us this one, it just ripped at my heart, because it makes the struggle and loss of a fading town so real. ‘What’s it gonna take for us to hold on?’ Iris Dement couldn’t have written a better love letter to a fading town!” – Audie McGinnis

Israel Nash, “Lost In America” (Rootsy Summer Sessions)

Last summer, in picturesque Falkenberg, Sweden, Rootsy Music held Summer Fest ’23, a gathering of twenty-some Americana, country, folk, and roots bands – many imported all the way from the United States. BGS video collaborators and contributors I Know We Should were there; they curated, directed, and shot a series of gorgeous live performances in and around the festival and scenic Falkenberg.

The first in the series features Israel Nash – a Rootsy artist, as well as a frequenter of Rootsy stages and festivals – performing an original song, “Lost in America.”