WATCH: Veronica Stanton, “Wildflower”

Artist: Veronica Stanton
Hometown: Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
Song: “Wildflower”
Album: 827 Miles

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘Wildflower’ about having the desire to be seen and loved but also knowing that I’d miss the freedom and independence that comes with being alone. To me, being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely and this song is my little ode to individualism. Matt Boylson captured the beautiful footage of wildflowers in California and Kentucky and then he and Nathan Powell filmed the studio footage together. The track is off of my debut EP 827 Miles, which was produced by Dan Knobler and recorded by Justin Francis at Goosehead Palace in Nashville. It was tracked live with Dan Knobler on acoustic guitar, Anthony da Costa on electric guitar, Danny Mitchell on keys, Dom Billett on drums, Sam Howard on bass, and Erin Rae on harmony vocals.” — Veronica Stanton


Photo credit: Bridgette Aikens

WATCH: Michaela Anne, “By Our Design”

Artist: Michaela Anne
Hometown: A little bit of everywhere – Washington, California, Virginia, Michigan, Italy, and Brooklyn. Currently Nashville.
Song: “By Our Design”
Album: Desert Dove
Release Date: September 27, 2019
Label: Yep Roc Records

In Their Words: “‘By Our Design’ is a reflection on my life… I started it one day at home in Nashville and finished it when I was spending a couple days writing in Santa Barbara between tour dates in California. I’m definitely someone who revels in alone time and was having a couple of those days loving driving up the coast and hiking by myself. I had second-guessed making the trip altogether so in that moment there, I was thinking how lucky I was to get to have that freedom… and most importantly to have a partner that supported living life however we choose to.

“It may not be ‘steady’ or ‘stable’ or financially promising or secure… but every step of the way we’re figuring it out and have a lot of adventures, experiences and creative pursuits that keep us going. Essentially, examining what it is that makes us wealthy in our life on our own terms versus what we’ve learned society might tell us are the markers of a successful life.

“Making this live video was such a wonderful experience. We were able to assemble some of my favorite Nashville musicians: Kristin Weber (my longtime collaborator, string player, BGVs), Aaron Shafer-Haiss (my longtime collaborator/drummer), Juan Solarzano on guitar, Sam Howard on bass, and Will Honaker on keys. We did multiple songs that day and each song the amazing crew at Layman Drug Co. changed the lighting, vibe, mood of the room to emulate the song. There’s this soft-lit glow almost towards the golden hour that felt very easy and fitting to set the tone for the song.” — Michaela Anne


Photo credit: Matt Wignall

WATCH: Anthony da Costa, “Shadow Love”

Artist: Anthony da Costa
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Shadow Love” (Acoustic)
Album: Shadow Love EP
Release Date: Single – May 31st; EP – June 14th

In Their Words: “This is a song that has followed me around for years. I first wrote this song back in 2015 and have performed it live with my band many times… I always had fun playing it, but never felt like it was all the way there. My friend Ruth Moody (of The Wailin’ Jennys) and I had recently been discussing the possibility of writing songs together. While working on the EP, I decided to send ‘Shadow Love’ to Ruth and asked her to write another verse. She sent me that second verse while on the road, and it haunted me for days afterwards. ‘Maybe I knew you long before I met you / a hologram, a winter mist / Not everything can last forever / Not everything can feel like this.’ The song was done. What was once a loud Weezer-rock shredder became a duet between two loves, two ghosts. I wanted to share this live, acoustic version of the song (featuring Ruth as well as Sam Howard on bass) as a capture of friends sharing a feeling in real time. Enjoy!” — Anthony da Costa


Photo credit: Jacqueline Justice