Tag: Song Premiere

LISTEN: Jake La Botz, “Are We Saying Goodbye?”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Jake La Botz
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Song: “Are We Saying Goodbye?”
Album: They’re Coming For Me
Release Date: Oct 18, 2019
Label: Hi-Style Records

In Their Words: “I wrote this song around the time my mother was dying. I wasn’t consciously writing it about her, but later when I listened to it I realized it was mostly about her. I didn’t grow up with my mother and didn’t know her much until I was 9 years old. At that time we were both living in Detroit and I got know her a bit.” — Jake La Botz

LISTEN: Band of Ruhks, “My Ol’ Tattoo”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Band of Ruhks
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee / Kentucky
Song: “My Ol’ Tattoo”
Album: Authentic
Release Date: October 18, 2019
Label: Rebel Records

In Their Words: “‘My Ol’ Tattoo’ is a song that I had tinkered with for several years. I thought I had it finished a few times but really didn’t. We were having a writing session at Ronnie Bowman’s place with the awesome up-and-coming writer Billy Droze and I pulled this one out. They both loved it and we retooled it, making several changes that really nailed it. I had a Cajun feel in mind when I initially came up with the song and then when we got together to finish it, it took on a life of its own. I really like this one and owe Billy and Ronnie a ton for making it what it is!” — Don Rigsby, Band of Ruhks

Photo credit: Jeromie Stephens

LISTEN: Heather Masse & Jed Wilson, “Crazy”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Heather Masse & Jed Wilson
Hometown: Accord, New York
Song: “Crazy”
Album: Hold On
Release Date: October 11, 2019

In Their Words: “I wrote the song ‘Crazy’ after a gathering where a friend of mine told me I was crazy. Normally, I would laugh that off, or even take it in with a sense of pride since some of the greatest minds are a little out of their minds, but at that particular moment I was in fact feeling pretty wacky and emotional, so it hit a little too close to home. I got in the car feeling a little mad/sad and this song came out and had me feeling a whole lot better. Jed brought this tune to a whole other crazy on his piano solo. He ended up in some many different places and keys it really brought the song to life!” — Heather Masse

Photo credit: Darren Miller

LISTEN: Libby Koch, “How Long”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Libby Koch
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Song: “How Long”
Album: Redemption 10: Live at Blue Rock
Release Date: October 18, 2019
Label: Berkalin Records

In Their Words: “This record definitely incorporates spiritual themes into love songs, and ‘How Long’ is a great example of that. I structured this song around the text of Psalm 40, with lines of each verse and the chorus tracking the Psalm: ‘I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of a slimy pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand.’ This piece of scripture has been put into song and hymn many times, and I hope this song is a worthy addition to that tradition. When I originally cut this song 10 years ago, it was a more somber, stripped-down track… for the live anniversary cut, Patterson Barrett and I decided to pick up the tempo and give the song a bluegrassy feel, which I just love. It’s one of my favorite tracks on this live album.” — Libby Koch

Photo credit: Valerie Fremin

LISTEN: Bradford Loomis, “Take a Swing”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Bradford Loomis
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Take a Swing”
Album: Where the Light Ends
Release Date: October 11, 2019

In Their Words: “How do we navigate through our differences? I feel like we live in a day and age where this question is becoming harder to answer. We live in a declaration culture; there are so many tools at our fingertips that allow us to plant flags on any given subject, proclaiming our values or opinions for all to see and respond in kind. I think it’s human nature to crave connection and to feel understood by others. We have access to too much information about people, yet we still don’t really know them. It’s easier than ever to dehumanize or disqualify others because of our perceived differences. There is so much more power in being vulnerable, and, through that vulnerability, the opportunity to deeply connect becomes possible. Being vulnerable can be time-consuming and even scary, but the payoff can be incredible.” — Bradford Loomis

Photo credit: Tony Hammons

LISTEN: Lizanne Knott, “I Was a Bird”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Lizanne Knott
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Song: “I Was a Bird”
Album: Bones and Gravity
Release Date: October 4, 2019

In Their Words: “I wrote ‘I Was a Bird’ about coming back to a place you’re meant to be, a home, in whatever form that takes. I was a bird. I’ve always been a bird, flying whichever way the wind blows, at the expense of my soul. I’ve learned some hard lessons, lost some friends along the way, even lost myself. But I came back, and (at least for now) I’m here to stay.” — Lizanne Knott

Photo credit: Tod Elmore

LISTEN: Susan Gibson, “Imaginary Lines”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Susan Gibson
Hometown: Wimberley, Texas
Song: “Imaginary Lines”
Album: The Hard Stuff
Release Date: October 4, 2019
Label: ForTheRecords

In Their Words: “This song started with the chorus as simple and repetitive as it is. I think it started when I was driving looking at the double yellow line and how that is just kind of agreement between people. ‘In order that things go smoothly and everyone can get where they’re going, I agree to not cross that line.’ I was thinking of all the examples of those social contracts and sometimes actual contracts that we think are ironclad but maybe they are not. Jana Pochop (one of my favorite writers) and I had a day off in Taos, New Mexico and we finished the song.” — Susan Gibson

Photo credit: Bill Ingram

LISTEN: Dominique Arciero, “I Wait”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Dominique Arciero
Hometown: Manhattan, New York
Song: “I Wait”
Album: Saturday Songs
Release Date: September 27, 2019
Label: Middle Sister Music

In Their Words: “Saturday Songs is a new series of singles I’m releasing on (you guessed it) Saturdays. Self-produced and featuring some of LA’s greatest (Sean Watkins, Tyler Chester, James McAlister and Rich Hinman) these very personal songs come straight from my house to yours. Releasing a new song weekly is my attempt to approach the process of making art in a way that has otherwise been touch and go ever since my band of sisters (country trio The Lunabelles) disbanded in 2012. To confidently bear my stories, record them, let them loose… and start again.” — Dominique Arciero

Photo credit: Devin Pedde

LISTEN: The Gina Furtado Project, “The First Pebble”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Gina Furtado Project
Hometown: Front Royal, Virginia
Song: “The First Pebble”
Album: I Hope You Have a Good Life
Release Date: September 27, 2019
Label: Mountain Home Music Company

In Their Words: “I Hope You Have a Good Life is full of experiences of my own life that, together, amount to my pursuit of and theories on how to achieve happiness. Isn’t that the end goal for us all? The songs are my attempt at packaging these theories within common, everyday experiences of tribulation and victory. ‘The First Pebble’ is about the stunning joy of reaching rock bottom only to discover one’s own resilience and strength. It has been so empowering to slowly begin to realize that the ‘worst case scenarios’ are always incredible resources for growth. I hope ‘The First Pebble’ will remind someone of that when they need it!” — Gina Furtado

Photo credit: Sandlin Gaither

LISTEN: The Bros. Landreth, “Master Plan”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: The Bros. Landreth
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Song: “Master Plan”
Album: ’87
Release Date: September 25, 2019
Label: Birthday Cake/The Orchard

In Their Words: “‘Master Plan’ is all about putting your faith in your partner, when you’re really on your knees. We wrote this about halfway through what would end up being a pretty substantial hiatus between records and it was a tremendously difficult time. It talks about asking for grace from the ones you love and stating your intentions: ‘I know that I’m not strong right now, but I’m working on it’ — while simultaneously saying ‘Thank you for having my back and believing in me, even if I don’t right now.'” — David Landreth

“Dave came to the table with this incredibly honest and beautiful tune already finished. He wasn’t convinced that it was and thought it needed more. All I did was write a hook. Which is just his melody anyways. This might be my favourite song on the record!” — Joey Landreth

Photo credit: Josh Dookie