Category Country/Folk/Bluegrass
A Box of Stars – Wallflower (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Local folk ensemble A Box of Stars’ latest EP sounds like the band’s name – homespun and cozy, with a sense of spacious wonder. Gentle, warm vibes and deep vocals abound. Track Picks: 2, 3 FCC: Clean RIYL: Sufjan Stevens, Nick Drake, Big Thief, HAMSA
Honey and Soul – Thunder (Joy of Music) [LOCAL]
This local folk trio showcases the all-conquering power of their three-part harmony on the latest single from their upcoming album. In their words: “‘Thunder’ is a song about healing. It’s about recognizing the value in being present in the slowness and spaciousness of the healing process. Knowing that there will be a time when the energy […]
Nolen Sellwood – Otherwise
Label: New Folk RIYL: Nick Drake, Lutalo, Adrianne Lenker FCC: Clean Check Out: #1, 2, 9 A beautiful debut folk record from new artist Nolen Sellwood. He is clearly heavily inspired by Nick Drake’s iconic album, Pink Moon. Standout tracks include “This Time”, “To Be Saved”, and “Otherwise”. A comfortable and timeless sound. Very impressive […]
Wilco – Cruel Country
Release Date: May 27, 2022 Label: dBpm Records From the label: Cruel Country is comprised, almost entirely, of live takes, with just a handful of overdubs, and is by Jeff Tweedy’s own definition, the band’s first Country music album. This feels like fresh territory for Wilco. The album opens with I Am My Mother, a […]
Big Little Lions – Worth The Time (Single) [Fallen Tree]
From promoter: “Comprised of Paul Otten in Ohio and Helen Austin in British Columbia, folk-pop duo Big Little Lions are known for making the most of being apart. But in this brand new song, the first from an upcoming, time-focused album “AMPM”, Austin shares her need to be away from her parents for her own mental wellbeing, […]
James Houlahan – Beyond The Borders
Self-Released RIYL: Townes Van Zandt, Neil Young, Tom Waits FCC: Clean Check Out: #3, 6, 7, 9 LA singer-songwriter James Houlahan’s seventh studio album Beyond The Borders modernizes the distinct sound of iconic artists of the sixties and seventies. Clearly takes inspiration from Townes Van Zandt in his poetic, storytelling lyrics atop complex guitar-driven melodies. […]
The Heart Collectors – Timeless Space (Spins the Gold Records)
The new EP from Australian folk group The Heart Collectors is truly emotive of joy, nostalgia, and a whole collection of other feelings. But that is just a happy side-effect to the true showcase of this release: the beauty of music, specifically acoustic instrumentation and the human voice. Written during the pandemic, Timeless Space is […]
Blondshell – Joiner [Partisan]
From promoter: “This new track exemplifies her ability to layer her wry sense of humor atop weighty topics. Powered by brilliant, crystalline melodies, Teitelbaum’s eloquent writing takes root in the concrete: every line is literal, a keyhole to a bigger truth. Blondshell is about learning and unlearning, about untangling the ways we’re taught to accept bad […]
Fran – Leaving [Fire Talk]
From Promoter: “Maria Jacobson is the indie singer-songwriter behind Fran. Jacobson claims grief and faith as two faces from the same coin in her sophomore album, Leaving. Bending soft melodies, this introspective work lulls listeners into a mediative state as Jacobson details the tribulations that lead her to seek possible religions in everything around her. Listeners are grounded […]
Aspen Jacobsen – Arsonist Daughter
Arsonist Daughter, the first full-length album of Aspen Jacobsen, is a display of wisdom. With Americana-style guitar and dream-like folk influence at the core, her lyrics offer insight into relationships, religion, and more. Label: Aspen Jacobsen Music Start w/ 1, 2, 4, 7 FCC: Clean RIYL: Noah Kahan, Big Thief, Leith Ross
The Wolf in Our Own Backyard – telephone wire [Records DK]
The Wolf in Our Own Backyard’s newest single is a bit of a change of style for the up-and-coming independent folk artist. This single follows the artist’s recently released acoustic EP, “Carrion Songs, Vol. 1”, with a more psychedelic sound. The track is mellow and features acoustic guitar, a drum machine, and synths/extra spacey effects. […]
The Wolf in Our Own Backyard – Carrion Songs, Vol. 1 [Records DK]
The Wolf in Our Own Backyard returns with a fantastic 5-song EP. This project showcases the artist’s fantastic acoustic guitar (and banjo!!) playing and songwriting. It is an incredibly beautiful, cohesive, and stripped-down collection of mellow folk songs that sound especially wonderful in the morning. If you buy this EP on Bandcamp, you can choose […]
The Tenderbellies – One By One (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Bluegrass-flavored VT string band The Tenderbellies play music from the heart and soul. While their upbeat grooves may make you want to dance, their lyrics take a darker tone – death is an overarching thread for much of this album. Track Picks: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Wood Brothers, Shovels and […]
Tall Travis – Chicken Music (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Local folk-punk combo Tall Travis lean hard on the folk side of that label, with mandolin, fiddle, and a variety of horns laying the sonic backdrop for their clever and funny lyrics. Track Picks: 1, 2, 5 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Decemberists, Pat the Bunny, The Moldy Peaches, The Smittens
Make Believe – Garrett Bryan and the Travelling City Committee (Fulton Amusement)
In their third album, Garrett Bryan and the Traveling City Committee take listeners through the story of two people. The album is full of powerful production and folky melodies. Some tracks are upbeat and rhythmic with building vocals, while others are more stripped down. Track Picks: 4, 3 FCC: Clean RIYL: Chris Stapleton, The Head […]
All Is Quiet – Susan Cattaneo (Susan Cattaneo/Jersey Girl Music LLC)
All is Quiet is a melancholic album with clear vocals over acoustic guitar melodies. All of the songs use poetic lyrics and slow-building harmonies to create the mood. Simplistic but effective production with a folk, singer-songwriter feel. Track Picks: 1, 2, 7 FCC: Clean RIYL: Indigo Girls, Brandy Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash
Emma Cook – Meet My Maker [Questionable Company] (LOCAL)
Local singer-songwriter Emma Cook’s latest single is a folk-country tune about the changes and questions that arise on life’s unstoppable journey towards death – and is nowhere near as ponderous or depressing as that description would suggest. Instead, it sounds like a mid-tempo dance in a dusty barn, with brushed drums, upright bass, fiddle and […]
Iron & Wine – Lori
Label: Black Cricket Recording Co. Release Date: September 16, 2022 From the label: “Timing they say is everything and as preparations are underway for the fourth – or is it the fifth?– wave of the pandemic, Iron & Wine is finally ready to share their obligatory covid coversrelease in the form of LORI. LORI finds […]
Bow Thayer – The Ride (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Local folkstar Bow Thayer turns in a spiritually-minded meditation on ways of moving through life and connecting with the people and the world around you. Slide guitar, banjo and minimalist percussion carry us along on this journey. FCC: Clean RIYL: Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon, Martin Sexton, The Wood Brothers, Tyler Mast
Hana Zara – On Refuge Mountain (Self-released) [LOCAL]
Local singer-songwriter Hana Zara’s latest EP is a lo-fi collection of minimalist folk tunes with gorgeous harmonies and Buddhist-inspired lyrics about “coming out of insanity and into alignment with the higher powers of truth and goodness.” Track Picks: 1, 2 FCC: Clean RIYL: Rosalie Sorrels, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Rhiannon Giddens, Fern Maddie
Johanna Rose – can’t love you from the ground (Self-released) [LOCAL]
From promo: On their latest EP, treehouse-dwelling VT musician Johanna Rose “explores the heights and gullies of surviving a disparate late capitalist world, in arguably one of the most beautiful places on earth. … Resonator guitar, upright bass, bowed fiddle, and pedal steel weave their way through… while Rose lyrically encapsulates mountain life in a […]
Maple Run Band – Tears of a Fool (Back Pasture) [LOCAL]
Northern VT country rockers Maple Run Band have released the first single from their upcoming sophomore album, an uptempo honky-tonk shuffle number with heartbroken, regretful lyrics that sounds like it could have come out any time since the 1950s. FCC: Clean RIYL: Charley Crockett, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Avett Brothers
Tyler Mast – String of Horses (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest single from BTV singer-songwriter Tyler Mast uses chiming piano and brushed drums to create an epic, wide-open country sound, befitting the lyrics about the depths and trials in the life and soul of an everyday person. Also play Tyler’s previous two singles, “Ayla” and “In the Lupines!” FCC: Clean RIYL: Nathaniel Rateliff, John […]
Kim Ware and the Good Graces – Ready [Potluck]
From Promoter: “stepping out of the country/folk trappings and towards a more electric feel reminiscent of celebrated 90s acts like Belly and Juliana Hatfield” RockandRollGlobeFCC Dirty #5
Little Mazarn – Texas River Song [Dear Life]
From Promoter: “Little Mazarn at its core is Lindsey Verrill on vocals and banjo and Jeff Johnston, whose primary instrument in the band is the singing saw. They are both Dallas natives that settled in Austin and became a part of a music scene that included Bill Callahan, Dana Falconberry, Patty Griffin, Okkervil River, Thor Harris, Weird […]
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