Tag Archives: folk

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!

NASHVILLE: June 12 Battle of the Bands Contestants Announced

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Last month, you learned that ARREIS is teaming with Chicago-bred festival organizers Local Nation on presenting a Battle of the Bands competition this summer and fall throughout Nashville.

The first event will take place Wednesday, June 12 at The End (2219 Elliston Pl.), and we have your lineup right here…

Judges for the June 12 event include:

Want to perform at a future Battle of the Bands? Applications are still open through May 24. Submit for consideration!

WATCH: Max McNown’s Love Letter to the Fans

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It’s been a big year so far for Max McNown. The Nashville-based songwriter released his debut album, Wandering, on April 12, and just wrapped up his first-ever tour, where he got to meet and interact with his growing fanbase.

To commemorate the experience, McNown released a new song, “Love Me Back,” to thank his fans for joining the ride so far. A “lost track” crafted immediately after the Wandering sessions, “Love Me Back” tells the story of a man who put his heart on the line — and found himself fortunate to have that love reflected toward him. The rollicking tune feels like a warm welcome home, featuring intricate acoustic guitar work, impactful percussion, and a memorable melody from McNown, whose smoky baritone is rich in depth and soul.

“‘Love Me Back’ was created with AJ Pruis right after I delivered the ‘Wandering’ album, but it didn’t make the cut in time,” McNown said. “It’s a lost extra track, a gift to all those listening. I’m so grateful for the support.”

The official music video highlights from McNown’s U.S. tour, which spanned nearly two months before concluding in San Diego on May 8. While there are some performance clips, most of the video features McNown meeting and embracing his fans after every show, continuing connections that will surely endure for years to come.

LISTEN: Mackenzie Shrieve, Jane Bruce Re-Imagine ‘Didn’t I Tell Ya’

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Sometimes, a track is so nice, the artist has to release it twice.

Brooklyn-based folk artist Mackenzie Shrieve released her album, In the While, in 2021. One of the songs, “Didn’t I Tell Ya,” captivated Shrieve’s audience so much that she teamed up with fellow folk singer Jane Bruce to give it new life.

“When I saw Jane perform for the first time, I was immediately enamored by her songwriting and vocal performance,” Shrieve said. “She is one of my favorite folk singers of all time. I knew that I wanted to re-release this song and I knew whatever Jane decided to do with it would be breathtaking – and I was right!”

“Didn’t I Tell Ya” was written as a “bittersweet reflection on the intricacies of a past relationship.” The song features a gentle fingerpicked guitar progression and a spacious, minimalist soundscape which allows its nostalgic narrative to shine. Shrieve’s earnest, Dylan-esque storytelling has won the hearts of her contemporaries, including Bruce.

“Mackenzie is an incredible writer and one of the hardest-working artists I know,” Bruce said. “I heard ‘Didn’t I Tell Ya’ for the first time while we were on the same bill at Arlene’s Grocery, and it stopped me in my tracks. It’s a perfect song! Simple, true, specific, and yet completely relatable. We’ve been fans of one another since then, and I was over the moon when she asked me to feature on one of her tunes. When I found out it was this one, my heart swelled.”

Soothe Your Nerves with Old Sea Brigade’s ‘Polygraph’

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Photo credit: Rebecka Wendesten

Today, we invite you to take a break from the chaos. Relax. Reflect. Cast your fears and worries away.

We’re happy to lend you a hand on this mission by offering “Polygraph,” the latest from Sweden-based Old Sea Brigade (the artist project of musician Ben Cramer). This mellow dreamscape features soothing piano tones on top of a calming acoustic foundation, giving us peace and perspective in times of uncertainty.

“‘Polygraph’ is a song all about the fear of the unknown and how that can manifest into anxiety,” Cramer said. “It’s about when you take a big step into a new phase in your life when those big changes actually happen, and you suddenly freak out and wonder… ‘was this the right step?’ but you feel bad for even thinking that. ‘Polygraph’ is about riding that out, letting it pass, and is meant to be an antidote to all that, to remind you… you don’t have to slow-dance with the next thought you have.”

Cramer is no stranger to the unknown. Born in Atlanta and previously residing in Nashville, he and his wife experienced a major life shift by relocating to Gothenburg, Sweden and welcoming their first child. Through “Polygraph,” Cramer illustrates how he found his own reassurance — and even provided us with some serene visuals, for good measure.

See what we mean below, and feel free to meditate on this one.

Is the Destination More Important, or the Journey?

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As you begin another week of pursuing your dreams, please remember that the journey is often more important and valuable than the destination itself.

Our friend Carlos Barata is back to reinforce that idea with “Please Know This For Sure.” This upbeat folk offering sways with positivity, as Barata (accompanied by special guest mandolinist Ryan Guillen) offers us perspective through the rigors of the creative grind.

“‘Please Know This For Sure’ is just a simple and sweet self-affirmation of those relentless pursuits of fulfillment, meaning, and connection we all have – despite the inevitable hardships, judgement, and rejection that might come along the way,” Barata said. “In my own experiences, a lot of beauty has come from trying, falling short, and going for it anyway. I hope this song resonates with whatever pursuits you’re facing now.”

Musically, “Please Know This For Sure” is well-crafted, both in its intricacy and in the way the sonic landscape supports the song’s message. The tune was tracked independently at The Music District in Fort Collins, CO, and mixed and mastered by Brooklyn-based engineers Kory Burrell and Jesse Morvan.

“On percussion, Brett Ross throws down an unexpected, Pleña-like latin rhythm on a pretty basic folk song that really drives the momentum and gives the tune a different flare that I just love,” Barata notes. “The Hammond organ in the second verse is intended to represent those moments of uplifting clarity we’ll get through the trials we face — the “a-ha” light-bulb moments.”

Give this one a chance to inspire you!

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