Tag Archives: folk

ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘A Small Notion,’ High Tea Showcases a Knack for Big Hooks

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Based in the beautiful state of Massachusetts, High Tea consists of Isabella DeHerdt and Issac Eliot. Combining thoughtful songwriting with world class musicianship, Isabella and Issac have gone above and beyond with their new album, A Small Notion. The album provides songs that are gentle, alongside selections that bring a noticeable rebellious punk energy filtered through folkier sensibilities. 

A Small Notion has emotional weight drawn from their personal experiences of loss and change, with stories created to guide the listener through the journey. Starting with the title track – a folk rock offering with pop hooks – we are led into “A Stray in Lee County,” which is a true bluesy romp rock song, complete with strings and excellent vocals. 

“Paper Mache” is lighter and sweet, showing a softer side of the band, while “Ouch, Oh Shit” highlights the band’s ability to write a big chorus. I loved the layers of vocals on “Bittersweet Evenings,” a song which also includes a feature from Corey Latiman. 

“Heartbreak Kid” and “The Metaphysical and Technicolor End” both highlight the band’s musicianship, while “Scuba Diving” – a full band version of High Tea’s 2023 single – fits the album well. 

With another big chorus on “There Goes My Old Soul” – and, truthfully, nearly every song on A Small Notion – High Tea solidifies its knack for writing a hook. Then, to close out the album with a bang, we have “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” (featuring Chris Freeman) and “Shadows and Shadows” (featuring Heather Maloney). 
A Small Notion is a polished album created by experienced musicians. High Tea has successfully blended folk music with rock and punk, and made an album unlike any I’ve heard before. When listening, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the band’s songwriting abilities. Each song has its own distinct hook and identity.

On ‘Pretending to Read,’ Amelia Ray Interprets our Everyday Struggles

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With nothing more than some jazz-influenced guitar chords and her own stellar powers of observation, Amelia Ray has given us plenty to ponder about the human condition with her new single, “Pretending to Read.”

The new single — released in conjunction with the start of The Interpreter’s Soulveillance Tour — helps us connect and empathize with those spending life’s journey alongside us. Amelia assumes the role of a train passenger who, despite having an open book in front of her, is much more in tune with the plight of her fellow passengers. Smoky vocals and clean, simplistic guitar work help us float thoughtfully between characters and observations, before we come full circle to realize that all of these external distractions are preventing us from truly going inward.

If you want to learn more about Amelia Ray — and see if the Soulveillance Tour is coming to your city — head over here.

If you want to listen to “Pretending to Read” — and we’re sure you do — you can do that below!

All-Americana: Sounds of the Season (and Any Season)

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Sounds of the season have begun to make their way into the fold. In fact, this month’s edition of All-Americana kicks off with a couple of holiday tunes to get you in the spirit.

In addition, we have a healthy offering of new tunes that fit any season, as well as some holdovers from our November compilation. There are gorgeous tones and heartfelt stories throughout, and this one is sure to keep you warm as the winter chill sets in.

Track listing
Andi Jane – You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch
Meghan VK – Christmas Tradition
David Tucker – Water It Down
Lauren Brabson – Notice
Max McNown – Better Me For You (Brown Eyes)
Amanda Keeley – Better Days
The Gringo Pistoleros – I Can Still Remember When
Lucie Glang and Joe Pope – Little Me
Wyman & the Wolves – Sundowner
Dylan Gerard – Need a Little Downtime
The Rebel Eves – Shake the Ground
Mikki Zip – Somethin’ to Write About
Brittany Bishop – Welcome Home
Chelsey Stallings – Give Him the Reins
Jacob Shipley – Death of Me
Dave Robertson & The Kiss List – The Green Light
Jaden Wright – East Kentucky Lady
Gary Hector – Waitin’ Around to Go Viral
Danny Himes – Las Vegas
John S. Long – Cold Stone

All-Americana: November 2024

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We’re one playlist in, and already, we can tell this is going to be a blast!

Let’s kick things off with All-Americana. Straight from the heartland, this playlist features the best emerging country, roots, blues, folk, and bluegrass, and will be updated reliably on the first Monday of every month going forward.

As it turns out, Americana itself paints from a vast and varied sonic palette. You’ll hear anything here from radio-ready country, to ambient folk, to stomp-along roots music — and there’s even more where that came from, including even a little bit of folk-punk!

Start The Playlists’ party with us, and stick around all week long for the rest of the musical spectrum!

Track listing
Dylan Gerard – Need a Little Downtime
David Tucker – Fighting Over Sheets
The Rebel Eves – Shake the Ground
Mikki Zip – Somethin’ To Write About
Brittany Bishop – Welcome Home
Meghan VK – Deal with the Devil
Chelsey Stallings – Give Him the Reins
Andi Jane ft. Billy Contreras – Charlotte’s Web
Jacob Shipley – Death of Me
Matthew Ryan Jacobs – Where Are You Now?
falllift – Questions I Can’t Ask
Ryan Thomas Smelle – Sad Song
Max McNown – Hotel Bible
Bjorn – You Got the Power In You
Regan Ashton – 6 1/2 Billion Hearts
Cox County Clappers ft. Lightning Jenny – Government Man
Dave Robertson & The Kiss List – The Green Light
Jaden Wright – East Kentucky Lady
Gray Hector – Waitin’ Around To Go Viral
William Harries Graham – Philadelphia

LISTEN: On ‘Where Are You Now,’ Matthew Ryan Jacobs Captures Life’s Bittersweet Journey

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Life doesn’t always wait until we’re ready to make changes.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario-based songwriter Matthew Ryan Jacobs has experienced plenty of growth over the past few years, and he captures its essence on “Where Are You Now.” This bluesy waltz is passed through a gritty alt-rock filter, as Jacobs helps us reflect on the pivotal moments that comprise life’s bittersweet journey.

“’Where Are you Now’ is mostly about making changes in your life, whether you want to or not,” Jacobs said. “A lot of my writing over the last few years has had a lot to do with getting older or growth; and the struggle of leaving certain things or people in your past. It’s not intended to be a negative narrative, just honest. Even if you know you’re making the right — or at least, better — decision, you still second guess yourself along the way.”

“At least I do.”

Produced by Ben Kempel, Jacobs describes “Where Are You Now” as a song that “just kind of happened” — much like the reality that inspired its narrative.

“I didn’t overthink anything in the process. It felt right, so we went with it,” Jacobs said. “I had a pretty clear vision for the production, and Ben did a great job as usual making it happen.“

LISTEN: On ‘Hotel Bible,’ Max McNown Defeats Self-Doubt

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Photo credit: Benjamin Edwards

We all experience moments of self-doubt. Yes, even if you’re Max McNown, last week’s #1 artist on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart, and the current CMT Next Up Now artist of the month.

For those moments, Max gives us “Hotel Bible,” a rollicking Americana anthem that inspires us to find the light in our darkest hours.

“Even the most confident among us doubt themselves at times,” McNown said. “‘Hotel Bible’ follows a loved one who’s lost their ability to trust and love themselves. But as the lyrics illustrate, even in the darkness of self doubt, there can also be light. The song is meant to serve as a reminder of the best times of our lives, when we inevitably endure the worst, to see value in the times we feel cheapest.”

The feel-good tune is the latest triumphant moment for McNown, who was named as CMT’s Next Up Now artist earlier this week. The honor included CMT premiering McNown’s new music video for “Snowman,” from his recent EP, Willfully Blind. The video will receive extra airplay on CMT’s 24-hour TV channel all month long, and has been added to CMT’s “Country Music Videos On Repeat Playlist.”

Strike a match, light a candle, and curse the darkness. Check out “Hotel Bible” below!

LISTEN: On “Charlotte’s Web,” Andi Jane Walks the Thin Line Between Love and Obsession

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What happens when love is taken too far?

Andi Jane explores the moments when love turns to obsession on “Charlotte’s Web,” a lush, haunting masterpiece just in time for spooky season.

Co-written alongside her partner at the time, Craig Anderson, the gothic folk single was crafted with inspiration from chilling real-life events.

“I wrote the song shortly after being physically threatened by my partner’s admirer; a woman who admitted to stalking him in order to become his friend,” Andi said. “After the incident, I met my first brown recluse spider, and I couldn’t close my eyes without thinking of spiders and stalkers. We ended stayed up all night to write this song.”

Representing the “battle between longing and harm, desire and destruction,” “Charlotte’s Web” features the one-man string section of Billy Contreras, who added depth to the sonic landscape by performing each the song’s five — yes, five — distinct violin parts.

“Watching him layer part after part, with each violin having its own unique name, was like watching a mad scientist at work,” Andi said.

PHOTOS: Gussapolooza, Day 1: We Arrive North

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The late summer sun was shining. Shades of sky blue and kelly green draped over the Canadian landscape, as I drove into Ontario by way of the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit to Windsor.

I — and UMC — had never been here before. Not only did I find myself in another country, but I was there on behalf of this plucky little platform I started with a USB mic, laptop, and idea in my childhood bedroom 11 years prior. Surreal.

I still had a few more hours to go before I’d arrive to my destination: Cookstown, about an hour north of Toronto. Gussapolooza — an emerging festival for independent artists — was set to begin.

I arrived shortly after 5 p.m. ET, where I was greeted warmly by organizers and volunteers. After getting camp situated, I grabbed my camera and walked up to the festival’s dual main stage setup.

Suddenly, we were off to the races.

Throughout the evening, I found myself remarking at the talent and diversity on the lineup. It felt that, with each new performance, I had found my new favorite moment of the night.

Moreover, all of us in attendance were free and encouraged to create and enjoy it all. It became evident quickly that Gussapolooza is more than a festival; it’s a community that brings us back to the fundamentals, while providing meaningful opportunities for artistic expression.

Certainly, to build a career in this industry, there is a necessary emphasis on the business side that we all must embrace. However — if just for a weekend — Gussapolooza invited us all to drop the pretense, come as we are, and find unity in the art form that inspired our creative journeys.

Gussapolooza was here for another year, and it was ready to remind us why we do what we do.

Note: I tried to get to every performance, but there were a few I missed throughout the weekend, in the flow of things. If I missed yours, I offer my humblest apologies. Let’s make it up sometime!

Brigitte Eve (IG | Spotify)

In Your Walls (IG | Spotify)

Freightliner (IG | Spotify)

Usual Suspektz (IG | Spotify)

Cudbear (IG | Spotify)

Ashley Gilmore (IG | Spotify)

Feral Minks (IG | Spotify)

Jeff Gutteridge (IG | Spotify)

The Manic Boys & Girls Club (IG | Spotify)

CMAGIC5 (IG | Spotify)

LISTEN: Ben Carr Laments Repeated Lessons on ‘Same Mistakes’

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Having trouble getting out of your own way? You’ll relate to this…

Ben Carr released “Same Mistakes” over the holiday weekend. The Irish-born, Nashville-based songwriter blends his soulful Celtic croon with a spacious, up-tempo folk soundscape to call out our shared human tendency to repeat hard lessons.

“The song is somewhat of a lament, detailing a frustration of making similar mistakes over and over, and not learning from past downfalls,” Carr said. “At the same time, the song carries an energetic bop that will hopefully keep people entertained wherever they listen.

Carr has a busy summer up ahead; in addition to an EP release in June, he’s set to return to Donegal, Ireland for a run of summer shows. Follow him for the details, and check out “Same Mistakes” below!

LISTEN: Blair Gun Calls Out Your Complacency on ‘Don’t Think’

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Cover art for Blair Gun's single, "Don't Think."

San Diego power punks Blair Gun — set to release their new album, There Are No Rival Clones Here, in just a few weeks — are showing off their range on their new, folk-infused single, “Don’t Think.”

The new tune — in contrast from previous single, “The Thief” — is built on a rootsy acoustic foundation, letting the band’s Americana sensibilities shine, while not losing the fuzzy, gritty edge that we fell in love with in the first place. Thematically, “Don’t Think” inspires quite the opposite, making us ponder how easy it can be to let ourselves become entangled in situations that do not serve our higher purpose.

“I wrote it about how hard it can be for anyone to make meaningful change in their life, and how often we can all end up complacent in toxic situations,” said vocalist/guitarist Joedin Morelock.

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Eric Bauer, There Are No Rival Clones Here will hit your favorite streaming platforms on Friday, June 7. Get another taste below!

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