Tag: Song Premiere

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

LISTEN: Luther Dickinson and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon, “Superlover” (Featuring Birds of Chicago)

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Artist: Luther Dickinson and Sisters of the Strawberry Moon
Hometown: All over the place!
Song: “Superlover,” featuring Birds of Chicago, written by JT Nero
Album: Solstice
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Label: New West Records

In Their Words: “The whole idea of this album was to introduce a bunch of friends and get them to collaborate with each other. I wanted to let the chemistry flow, to create an environment where everyone’s flavors naturally blended together and each artist could just be themselves. I think you can feel that freedom in the music.” — Luther Dickinson

“We have some poison running through our veins as a country right now… in the words of Stevie Wonder, ‘Love’s in need of love today.’ Superlover is a lovers’ roll call. Love is gentle and kind–but it’s also fierce, defiant and brave. Superlovers, stand up and make yourself known.” — JT Nero and the SOTSM

Photo Credit: Joshua Black Wilkins

Tour Dates:
March 11: Chicago – City Winery
March 13: Nashville – City Winery
March 14: Atlanta – City Winery
March 17: Sellersville, Pennsylvania – Sellersville Theater
March 18: Boston – City Winery
March 19: New York – City Winery
March 20: Washington DC – City Winery

LISTEN: Leo Rondeau, “On And Off Again”

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Artist: Leo Rondeau
Hometown: Dunseith, North Dakota
Song: “On And Off Again”
Album: Right on Time
Release Date: March 8, 2019

In Their Words: “I came up with the idea several years ago after watching a friend break up and get back together with his partner multiple times. After going through something similar, I came back to it and was able to finish it fairly quickly. While we were recording it wasn’t clear to me what kind of background vocals we were going to do when Alexis (Saski) and Margo (Price) showed up, but apparently everyone else was on the same page because from the first take they were dialed in and I thought, ‘Damn.’ Combine that with Gary Newcomb’s steel solo, which gives me pause every time I hear it, then you’re hit with the death blow if you were still hanging on.” –Leo Rondeau

Photo credit: William Aubrey Reynolds

LISTEN: Clara Baker, “Moving On”

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Artist: Clara Baker
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Song: “Moving On”
Album: Things to Burn
Release Date: March 8, 2019

In Their Words: “This song is bittersweet reflection on how hard but important it is to notice that it’s time to move on. It could be about love, but this is a song I wrote on my second retreat at the Shotpouch Cabin in the Burnt Woods. I had been living in Corvallis for 4 years and loved living there so much, but I was at a crossroads in my career and I realized that I needed to be in a bigger city in order to seriously pursue my career goals. When we recorded this song, at the very end, I looked up from the microphone and over at Zach Hickman (on bass) who gave me a knowing nod, that kind of said ‘Hell yeah. Good work.’ I immediately burst into tears. Recording all together in the same room, no headphones, and no separation, we all felt in the moment and it just felt so special to be able to be playing music together, and capturing one specific moment in time, rather than cutting and pasting it all together digitally.” — Clara Baker

Photo credit: Amanda Long

LISTEN: Shawn Lane and Richard Bennett, “Charlestown”

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Artist: Shawn Lane and Richard Bennett
Song: “Charlestown”
Album: Land And Harbor
Release Date: March 8, 2019
Label: Bonfire Recording Company

In Their Words: “I had the musical hook portion of this song for a while before we found the subject to start writing about. I played it one day for my son, Grayson. He said, ‘We’ve been studying the history of Charleston, South Carolina, in class. It used to be called Charlestown years ago. I think that’s what this melody says.’ It was like a light came on. That was exactly what it was supposed to be.” — Shawn Lane

“‘Charlestown’ is one of my personal favorites from our recent project. The song is loaded with visual imagery. Shawn’s exceptional vocals really bring it all to life. I’m honored to be a part of the magic.” — Richard Bennett

Photo credit: Nate Smith, Bonfire Recording Co.

WATCH: Runner of the Woods, “Acadiana Girls”

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Artist: Runner of the Woods
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Acadiana Girls”
Release Date: March 5, 2019
Label: Twinpost Music

In Their Words: “Who doesn’t love watching a bunch of accordions being smashed to bits? I wanted to celebrate the release of our new single, ‘Acadiana Girls,’ with a video depicting the chaos that ensues when children discover a stash of prized instruments. Acadiana is the Cajun region of Louisiana and the home of the song’s narrator. With its rich musical heritage, cuisine, and close family ties, it’s a place he loves deep down but needs to leave for now. This need to escape from Lafayette, Louisiana, ties in with the video’s theme of accordions being destroyed. I can definitely relate to this as an accordionist who loves Cajun music but also writes tunes for different genres. I feel that same push-pull between the urge to write original songs and the need to perform traditional music that never fails to pack a dance floor. That said, smashing these instruments with my two sons is probably the most fun I’ve ever had!” — Nicolas Beaudoing, Runner of the Woods

Photo credit: Michael Ernst

WATCH: Cave Twins, “Walk Together”

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Artist: Cave Twins
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Song: “Walk Together”
Album: Best Friends For Now
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Label: Tiger Spa

In Their Words: “Atheists do got songs! We love everything about gospel music, except the message. So we worked up a little ‘humanist gospel tune’ about the glory of friendship and the power of human kindness. We paired it with this 1983 good old-fashioned family vacation to Cedar Point, all shot on a super 8 camera. Hot dog!” — Cave Twins

Photo credit: Roger Hoover