Category Local
Sarah King – Nightstand (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest track from this Vermont blues artist is a dark, smoky murder ballad led by distorted keys and crunchy guitars, topped off with Sarah’s powerful and convincingly sinister vocals. Truly “music to bury a body by.” FCC: Clean RIYL: Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Kat Wright, Beth Hart
Willverine – Hope It All [Self-released] (LOCAL)
The lead single from VT multi-instrumentalist and producer Willverine’s upcoming album Goodnow is a low-key indie pop number with vocals from Francesca Blanchard, wobbly synth bass and trumpet coming together for a chill vibe all around. FCC: Clean RIYL: Men I Trust, Crumb, Jungle, Hippo Campus
Erin Cassels-Brown – Dreamin’ On Overdrive [Self-released] (LOCAL)
Local singer-songwriter Erin Cassels-Brown’s debut album is simply one of the best collections of classic Americana-style tunes to come out of Vermont in recent years. Erin’s music has a timeless feel, clearly influenced by “classic records” of the past but not redundant, with its own identity. Highly recommended! Track Picks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 […]
Pons – Intellect (Stick ‘n Move) [LOCAL]
The debut album from this Burlington-based trio is a loud, noisy collection of experimental rock, with thrashing punk guitars, pounding percussion, hoarse vocals and occasional diversions into industrial electronic dance. Track Picks: 2, 6, 8, 9, 12 FCC: 11 RIYL: The Stooges, Death Grips, LCD Soundsystem, Girl Band
Chazzy Lake – Sup, Circumstance [Self-released] (LOCAL)
The debut solo album from Charlie Hill (also known for his work with J Bengoy) presents an engaging blend of lo-fi, Americana, classic rock and new wave. His songwriting, in terms of lyrics, hooks and melodies, is as strong as ever. A strong recommendation! Track Picks: 2, 6, 8, 9 FCC: Clean RIYL: Fruit Bats, […]
Reid Parsons – Alone [Self-released] (LOCAL)
The latest release from Vermont native Reid Parsons is a slice of smooth, soulful blues, subtle and understated to its benefit, with pristine guitar leads and vocal harmonies. FCC: Clean RIYL: Grace Potter, Marcus King, Warren Haynes, Sarah King
Maple Run Band – Maple Run Band [Back Pasture] (LOCAL)
Local Americana quartet Maple Run Band’s debut album feels totally timeless – despite being brand new (apart from one Roger Miller cover), these songs feel like they’ve always been around. Real campfire sing-along material, with gorgeous guitar licks and harmonies as well. Track Picks: 2, 4, 9 FCC: Clean RIYL: The Avett Brothers, Gram Parsons, […]
Francesca Blanchard – Make It Better (Tone Tree Music) [LOCAL]
The Burlington-based singer-songwriter’s first full-length in five years takes listeners through various aspects of a failing relationship. Highlights include the anthemic title track and “Baby,” a very catchy number with a striking vocal “guitar” solo. Track Picks: 1, 4, 9 FCC: Clean RIYL: Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Weyes Blood, Maggie Rogers
The Larkspurs – Live at East Montpelier Meeting House [Self-released] (LOCAL)
The first release from local roots revival quartet The Larkspurs features a mix of originals, covers and adapted standards played with freshness, vigor and passion. Track Picks: 1, 3, 6FCC: Clean RIYL: The Wild Reeds, Oh Hellos, The Head and the Heart
Honey and Soul – Separate Her Heart [Tank Recording] (LOCAL)
The new single from Burlington folk trio Honey & Soul is a particularly gorgeous acoustic piece, with soaring strings and gentle guitars topped with passionate three-part harmonies. FCC: Clean RIYL: Brandi Carlile, Iris DeMent, Alison Krauss, The Wild Reeds
Francesca Blanchard – Happy For You [Tone Tree Music] (LOCAL)
The Burlington singer-songwriter’s latest EP compiles four singles released over the past year, each depicting different aspects of a strained relationship. The title track is an acoustic guitar number with strings, while others take a more heavily produced indie sound. Track Picks: 2, 4 FCC: Clean RIYL: Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, Clever Girls
Madaila – West [Future Fields] (LOCAL)
The first of four EPs announced for release in 2020 by Mark Daly’s one-man band Madaila, West takes a rootsier approach to the project’s sound without sacrificing any of their songcraft. A gorgeous collection of harmonic folky rock with a psychedelic twinge. Track Picks: 1, 2, 5 FCC: Clean RIYL: Lord Huron, Iron and Wine, […]
Sarah King and the Guilty Henchmen – What Happened Last Night [Self-released] (LOCAL)
VT-based blues artist Sarah King turns out a particularly smooth and soulful set of ballads on this album, with detours into harder, funkier material on the title track and “The Gun.” Track picks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 11 FCC: Clean RIYL: Erin and the Wildfire, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Marcus King
Couchsleepers – Only When It’s Dark (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The debut full-length from Harrison Hsiang’s project Couchsleepers typifies his brand of “folk songwriting that tastes like indie rock,” with lyrics centered around romance, heartbreak and insomnia. Track picks: 2, 3, 7, 9 FCC: 7 (clean version available in station and on Subsonic!) RIYL: Pinegrove, Peach Pit, Theo Katzman
King Tuff – I’m Free [Sub Pop] (LOCAL)
Brattleboro-born psych rocker King Tuff first penned the track “I’m Free” for the Ty Segall album Freedom’s Goblin. His own recording of the track features a breezy 60s folk-pop arrangement befitting the title and lyrics. Featuring genuine Vermont crickets on backing vocals! FCC: Clean RIYL: Ty Segall, The Byrds, CSNY, George Harrison
Matthew Mercury – Remixes [Self-released] (LOCAL)
Matthew Mercury return with three dance-club remixes of tracks from their debut album. Included are “Lightning Ocean” (Gentry Mix), “London” (Christopher Hawthorn Mix), and “Swing Like a Hammer” (remixed by WRUV’s own Two Sev!). This last one has yet to hit streaming services – email broth@uvm.edu for mp3s, or play it from the disc in […]
Ali T – Smoke + Mirrors (Big Mo Records) [LOCAL]
VT-based singer-songwriter Ali T’s debut album is a polished and heartfelt collection of tunes in a variety of styles, with lyrics on topics ranging from gun violence (“Smoking Gun”) to escaping Vermont winters (“Paradise Reality”). Track picks: 3, 4, 6 FCC: Clean RIYL: Alanis Morrissette, 4 Non Blondes, Miriam Bernardo
A2VT – Twenty Infinity (Mercury Rising Music) [LOCAL]
A2VT is an Afropop group founded by African refugees in the Burlington area. Their latest album is all bright, shiny dance beats and hooks, with lyrics (in English, Swahili and Maay Maay) tackling both lighthearted and serious topics. Highly recommended! Track Picks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 FCC: Clean RIYL: Rema, Burna Boy, Wizkid
Princess Nostalgia – Thank Heavens 4 Opposable Thumbs (Self-released) [LOCAL]
This UVM singer-songwriter-producer’s debut album is full of slick, shiny synths, vocals often drenched in autotune, funky guitars and deeply hooky grooves, all coming together to form a low-burning collection of electronic alt-pop. Track Picks: 1, 3, 5 FCC: 4 RIYL: Mitski, Maggie Rogers, Lorde
Brickdrop – Change the Channel (Self-released) [LOCAL]
The latest release from Burlington jazz-funk instrumentalists Brickdrop is perfect for fans of music with hefty grooves, pristine playing, and lots of horns. Track picks: 1, 7 FCC: Clean RIYL: Lettuce, Snarky Puppy, Galactic
Couchsleepers – 2019 Singles [Self-released] (LOCAL)
Burlington indie group Couchsleepers have released three singles in 2019 – the uptempo melodic rock numbers “Want” and “In My Head,” and the smooth Rhodes funk groover “All I Want.” A fourth, the ballad “Half the Night,” dropped at the beginning of 2020. All songs have heartfelt lyrics about relationships and longing. Track Picks: All! […]
Danny & the Parts – It Came From the Box [Self-released] (LOCAL)
Burlington singer-songwriter Danny LeFrancois’ latest EP is a collection of twangy alt-Americana full of warm fuzzy guitars and power-pop harmonies. Track Picks: 1, 5, 6 FCC: Clean RIYL: Wilco, Kurt Vile, J Bengoy
Roost – Basic Phases (Self-released) [LOCAL]
This local dance-punk group’s latest EP is full of long, slow-burning tracks with driving electronic grooves and low, often spoken vocals. A musical melange of various new wave and post-punk sounds straight out of the turn of the 1980s. Start with: 2, 4 FCC: Clean RIYL: LCD Soundsystem, New Order, Human League, Yaz, Guerilla Toss
Clever Girls – Remember Pluto (Single) (EggHunt Records) [LOCAL]
The latest single from this Burlington indie rock group features a twangy, very catchy guitar lead, a soaring wordless chorus, and production which gradually grows more and more lo-fi and distorted, for a sound that’s at once familiar and unique. FCC: Clean RIYL: Hop Along, Real Estate, Frankie Cosmos, J Bengoy
Miriam Bernardo – Songs from the Well (Flower Fields Records) [LOCAL]
Vermont music veteran Miriam Bernardo turns in a wonderful, lush collection of folk and folk-rock on her first solo album. Featuring contributions from many Vermont musicians and songwriters, including Hadestown creator Anaïs Mitchell (“I Got A Well”). FCC: Clean Track Picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 RIYL: Anaïs Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Iron and Wine, Shana […]
