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Americana Music Blog

America has been serving up slices of Americana since the mid-19th-century. The genre is an all-encompassing term for a variety of music styles that found their roots in America, including blues, bluegrass, country, and roots-rock. More often than not, Americana is a fusion of one or more forms of roots music, and it is commonly synonymous with folk-based country and singer-songwriter music.

Some of the most iconic Americana artists include Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earl. Steve Earl remains popular to this day; his 2021 album, J.T., was listed as one of the best Americana albums of the year. Other artists that featured alongside Earl on the albums of the year list included Brandi Carlile, John Hiatt, Jack Ingram and Strand of Oaks.

Prior to 2010, Americana was considered a niche genre, yet in a transition that no one anticipated, Americana moved into the mainstream. The artists responsible for pulling the genre into the limelight included The Lumineers, the Avett Brothers, and of course, Mumford & Sons. Despite being a British band, Mumford & Sons became one of the best-selling Americana artists in recent years. They made history when they became the first British band since Coldplay to make it big in the US and sell more than a million albums. Yet, Mumford & Sons held their hands up to admit that without The Lumineers, their success wouldn’t have been possible.

In the late 90s, the Americana Music Association was established in Nashville; and they still have their finger on the pulse to this day. In 2021, they named Black Pumas as the group of the year, Brandi Carlile as the artist of the year and Charley Crockett as the emerging artist of the year. It’s not surprising to see Black Pumas named as one of the Americana artists of the year; the Austin-based act has amassed over 100 million streams with their most popular soul psych song, Colors. They also picked up three Grammy nominations in 2020.

Americana received another uptick in interest with the release of the blockbuster film, A Star is Born, which followed a roots music raconteur (Bradley Cooper) on his quest for fame. Bradley Cooper’s character may have been fictional, but plenty of Americana history and culture was poured into the critically acclaimed film that became an overnight sensation; both Lukas Nelson and Brandi Carlile appeared in the film. It seems that as long as there are artists committed to planting roots of Americana into their music, it will never go out of trend.

La Need Machine signed, sealed and delivered unsurmountable scintillation with their indie power pop hit, The Mountain

Posted on 9 September 2024

La Need Machine’s latest hit, The Mountain, is sharp enough to etch its melodies into the soul and sweet enough in its indie power pop proclivities to give you a sugar rush.

With roots deeply embedded in the fertile grounds of Seattle’s eclectic music scene, the band fuses the raw energy of new-wave punk with the introspective depth of indie rock and the soulful rhythms of Americana, resulting in a major indie paradigm shift that you will want to be a part of.

At the core of The Mountain are the emotionally ethereal vocal lines, crafted to strike at the heart in synergy with orchestral crescendos that allow the lyrics to come alive as a sonic narrative which you will want to read time and time again.

Behind the music, La Need Machine stands committed to making a social impact by channelling significant portions of their proceeds to causes like The Trevor Project and Doctors Without Borders. This blend of activism and artistry is reflective of their influences, drawing parallels with the societal contributions of bands like U2 and The Clash.

With members like Elise and Brian sharing lead vocals, supported by a full ensemble La Need Machine’s sound is as layered as their influences. From Eddie Cochran’s early rock to the defiant chords of Generation X, each influence stitches into The Mountain.

With over 15,000 Spotify listeners and climbing, La Need Machine isn’t just on the rise; they’re crafting a legacy that will prove to be as timeless as their sound; hit play and be a part of it.

The Mountain hit the airwaves on August 16th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Noah Hamlin has unveiled a debut of panoramic Folk romanticism with ‘Bluebonnet Girl’

Posted on 5 September 2024

With a vocal timbre that would make any fans of Cohen, Cave or Dylan quiver at the knees, folk singer-songwriter, Noah Hamlin’s debut single, Bluebonnet Girl revisited old Americana roads while injecting fresh fervour into the folk genre.

The Austin, Texas-hailing troubadour’s artistic maturity belies his 23 years; with oceans of poetic depth in the lyrics which paint a vignette of panoramic landscapes which become the backdrop to a love story for the ages, sinking into the sepia hues of Bluebonnet Girl becomes an all-consuming sensory experience for the soul.

The finger-picked acoustic guitar notes, influenced by the likes of Townes Van Zandt, puts the romanticism into mellifluous motion, exhibiting Noah Hamlin as not just another artist entering the oversaturated folk genre, but a true purveyor of artistic ingenuity. After one hit, you will be stoked for the sophomore.

Bluebonnet Girl was released on August 18th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find the inspiration to cut out the static and reconnect with Mikey Wayne’s indie Americana serenade, Back to You & Me

Posted on 31 August 2024

Nashville-based rock troubadour Mikey Wayne has followed on from the success of his critically acclaimed EP Echo Mountain Sessions with his serenade, Back to You & Me. The indie Americana ballad is sonic kryptonite for the diehard romantics with its sweeping orchestral crescendos and equally as lush harmonies which deliver the raw emotion and warm melodicism of Bryan Adams.

The authentically affecting release brings back the energy of a full band, tied to the roots of Wayne’s Nashville country sound and echoing the influences of his Southern California roots and Alabama upbringing, resulting in a potent mix of open-hearted lyrics and passion-driven progressions.

The ornate orchestral motifs pull you right into the core of the unfeigned sentimentality of the single which implores listeners to turn away from distraction, tune out from the static of the world and lose themselves within the sanctuary built by connection. In an era where it is seen as more entertaining to stare at the selfies of strangers on Instagram instead of the eyes of one they love, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most, which will never be found on an Instagram feed.

The official music video for Back to You & Me will premiere on August 31st; stream the video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The melodies leap off the page in Go Metric USA’s installation of folk mysticism, Old Books No One Remembers

Posted on 27 August 2024

 In an unflinching mission to keep the traditions of folk storytelling alive, the Texan ensemble Go Metric USA has unveiled their tribally hypnotic sense-awakening serenade, Old Books No One Remembers. You can practically hear notes of opium drift through the production in the arcanely atmospheric alt-country vignette which allows poetry to acquiesce with seraphic folk melodies.

With an evocative potency which tears through the centuries, Old Books No One Remembers is inexplicably efficacious in its ability to consume the psyche. It is only when you reach the outro in the Legendary Pink Dots-reminiscent production that you realise how intertwined you’ve become in the eloquently enlightening narrative which can hold its own against Robert Frost’s poetry.

Old Books No One Remembers is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Behind the Music: An Interview with Rising Country Star Samantha Rae

Posted on 24 August 2024

In an exclusive interview with Samantha Rae, a name quickly becoming synonymous with contemporary country supremacy, we discuss her debut LP, The High Road, which has positioned her as an infectiously unreckonable force in the industry.

Samantha discusses her approach to maintaining emotional authenticity within her polished sound; we also gain insight into her collaborative dynamics with co-writer and manager Jay DellIsola, the creative challenges they navigate, and her vision for her burgeoning career.

Samantha Rae, it’s a pleasure to sit down with you after discovering your talent through your debut album, The High Road. The single, Gaslighter, was particularly infectious, how did you hone your superlative command over vocal hooks?

Thank y’all so much for your kind words and interest in The High Road! Gaslighter sits right in my vocal wheelhouse which helped us produce the way we originally envisioned it. We really wanted the chorus hook to pop so we set it up with a little rhythmic anticipation in the prechorus “I’d do anything for you”. This is a good example of how Jay and I construct our rhythmic textures. In the studio, we went through each lead vocal take again and again to find the one we loved the most. We really love this song and I am so happy with how it turned out!

You notably have a profound ability to keep the emotions raw in your polished productions, what’s your secret? 

Many others have probably said it better than me but I truly think if you write your own songs or create something lyrically that you’ve been through, or deeply relate to, then the truthfulness comes out on its own.

Have you found a formula for writing your singles or is each new track a new beast to tame? 

Just keep writing and creating what you love! No formula or secret button, although having a co-write partner like Jay has been critical to staying creative and energized to make your ideas and music come alive! Our songs are usually a product of our combined influences that span classic rock, mainstream radio pop, rhythm & blues and classic country. There’s usually a deeper personal meaning behind a lyric but we love that people relate to the lyrics based on their own life experiences.

What was the most gratifying aspect of creating your debut album?

Honestly, for me, it was when all the songs finally dropped and they were born into the world for people to enjoy! We also really love developing as artists and songwriters. There’s always something we’ve learned that we can apply to our new material.

How did you come to work with your creative partner and manager Jay DellIsola?

Jay and I have been friends and worked together for a long time, we played in bands together up in Boston where he played drums and I was the lead singer. Before this journey together, Jay always had a vision and would get things done with his passionate drive. He has always supported my talent and when we decided to spin up “Samantha Rae” as a solo artist, we knew we could create something special together. When we combine our song parts and creative ideas we end up with something that works well for us.

Undoubtedly, your fans will be desperate to hear when the next release will drop, what else do you have in store for 2024?

We definitely are always working to create for the fans and I’m sure they’ll see some behind-the-scenes and the making of The High Road album in the future 😉

We’re already writing a brand new batch of songs and we also have about a dozen on the shelf we really love that haven’t been released yet.

Will your forthcoming material be a continuation or a departure from your debut album? 

I would say mostly a continuation but as an artist, there’s always room for growth and a little movement. My pop-rock country roots are grounded and we’ve created a ‘sound‘ that we’re proud of. So if the fans love it as much as we do then we feel like we definitely have a winning recipe!

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Stream Samantha Rae’s Highroad LP on Spotify now and keep track of her latest releases via Instagramand TikTok.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Mt Bonnell – Mistake: A Little Bit of Country, An Unholy Load of Rock n Roll

Posted on 17 August 2024

It’s almost worth enduring agonising lapses in romantic judgement to prise maximum resonance from Mt Bonnell’s latest lyrically bitter, sonically euphoric alt-rock single, Mistake.

The revelation in genre fusion fuses the twangy, intimate and narratively expansive warmth of upbeat country folk with all the fire and furore of a grungy rock anthem and the stylistic edge of indie to establish the artist as one of the most veritable outfits pouring sound out of Austin.

There’s clearly something in the Texan water which breeds peerless talent, but the flavour of Mt Bonnell is something no other outfit is capable of making you savour. Intensity and authenticity run in the veins of the infectiously zealous melodies ensuring you feel every ounce of the affecting weight in this anthem which epitomises what it means to wear your heart on your guitar strings.

As much as the emotively seismic vocals make you feel, that’s nothing compared to the compulsion to succumb to the rhythmic pulse which speaks volumes of how Mt Bonnell has honed their eclectic sound since forming in 2002, with each member bringing their own sonic proclivities to the table.

Mistake was officially released on August 8th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Christa Joy and the Honeybees – Omens: Irreverently Witty Alt-Country

Posted on 15 August 2024

Christa Joy and the Honeybee’s superlatively seminal Alt-Country single, Omens, from their eponymous fourth studio album, charts a profound journey mapped by emotive storytelling and artfully affecting sonic processions. If any contemporary country singer-songwriter can instil an infinity for Americana in the new generation of music fans, it’s Christa Joy with her irreverently witty lyricism.

The single initiates with Christa’s hauntingly reflective, pensively tinged vocals, adeptly drawing listeners into a world filled with imagery-evoking melancholy before the salving honkytonk instrumentals accompany and soothe Christa’s poetically outpoured pain as a parable for the sanctifyingly uplifting nature of the soundscape.

The tale of how endless time can feel in the wake of a breakup which leaves your world feeling cold has been told countless times before. Yet, by playing with light and shade, interplaying torment with gratitude and injecting some quintessential country humour through evolving lyricism centred around the dog that was left behind, the single unravels as a tenderly heartwarming revelation of how disorientating it can feel to step into the world, unsure of what paths to take to heal.

With the 4th LP from the Western Massachusetts singer-songwriter in the pipeline and due for release on August 24, there’s never been a better time to tune into the artist’s alchemic approach to conjuring emotion through artfully orchestrated alt-country. The album promises an exhibition of the band’s chemistry and Christa’s maturation as a songwriter, featuring tracks that range from classic honky-tonk to gospel-tinged country ballads

Omens was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spencer Graham built on his indie alt-country legacy with ‘Timing’

Posted on 12 August 2024

Emotions run deep in the veins of the breakthrough country artist Spencer Graham’s latest single, Timing. If there was a world record for how much emotion can be carried in vocal melodies, the singer-songwriter who is writing the next chapter for roots reverent music deserves to rhetorically hold it.

The bitter-sweet lovelorn serenade cuts deep into the wounds of romantic torment as the accordant indie alt-country instrumentals salve the scars through their caressive melodies which carry you through the vignette of how the latter part of the space-time continuum can lead to heartbreak.

While it is an indisputable fact that all talent needs to be nurtured and honed, there is no getting away from the sense that Spencer Graham is a natural-born singer-songwriter. His ability to wrap you up in his narratives and inject the emotions expressed into your senses is second to none.

After being born in Central Pennsylvania and achieving success with his 2020 debut single, Spencer Graham was torn away from his creativity after being enlisted in the US Navy. His latest release is hopefully the sign of more soul-rendered releases to come.

After debuting on August 3rd, Timing is now available to stream on Spotify along with Spencer Graham’s 3-track release, This Is Me.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roots reverent soulstress, Samantha Rae, is an infectiously unreckonable force in her seminal single, Gaslighter

Posted on 8 August 2024

Samantha Rae, the roots-reverent soulstress, spellbinds with her latest single, Gaslighter. Taken from her intensely anticipated debut LP The High Road, the creative conjuring combines swampy blues tones with a country twang and an arcane air of enlightenment that even Nicks would struggle to match.

Rae’s poised with conviction and sultry-to-the-senses vocals effortlessly embody empowerment as she solidifies her status as the pinnacle and poster girl of a contemporary country icon. The infectiously kinetic rhythm of Gaslighter is impossible to resist, transfixing the listener in the beating heart of the earworm which sees the lyrical delivery seamlessly integrated with the instrumental backdrop, which culminates in a raw-with-revolution rock riff.

Far from a typical exposition of the phenomenon of psychological manipulation, Rae injects working-class fervour into the track, resonating with those who feel oppressed by the gentrified elite, the lyrical dualism is an undeniable attestation to Rae’s ability to transcend the expected.

Samantha Rae balances her musical career with her role as a horse trainer and riding instructor in southern New Hampshire. As an accomplished songwriter and live performer, Samantha Rae frequently lights up stages across New England. She has shared the spotlight with prominent acts like Sugar Ray, LoCash, and Tyler Farr. Her talent was recognised early on, earning her the New England Country Music “Country Group of the Year” award in her debut year as an original artist.

After being mixed by Grammy-winner Chad Carlson in Nashville, Gaslighter was officially released on July 26; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A&R Factory Interview: Unveiling the Soul of Lori & the Darlings

Posted on 3 August 2024
Lori & the Darlings

Lori & the Darlings have etched their legacy into the annals of Michigan’s music scene, setting their own standards of artistic authenticity. As we await the release of their EP ‘Side Streets’, the ensemble continues to sketch new musical contours distinct from their previous works. In this exclusive A&R Factory interview, we join them on their explorative journey, where creativity springs from the familiar locales of Main Street. As revealed, the band’s lyrical and melodic evolution resonates through this project, offering a reflective glimpse into their dynamic craft. With a blend of Americana roots and bold experimentation, Lori & the Darlings stand poised at an intersection of past influences and forward-thinking musicality

Lori & the Darlings, welcome to A&R Factory! It’s a pleasure to sit down with you as you gear up for the release of your upcoming EP, Side Streets. Can you walk us through your creative process and how the B-side project thematically connects with and diverges from your last project, Main Street? 

We are just starting to work on this new project: Side Streets and I am excited to get back into the studio soon!   So far we have had a very successful process when it comes to crafting songs…I write the songs and put them on a scratch track, usually just me and a guitar, and then let the band take some time seperately to get used to the melody and changes and if there is a feel or I have any specific ideas I let them know right away although usually I hand the song right over to them and trust them to find their parts… and they always do! I have a huge collection of songs I have been writing for years…and I still write so there is a never-ending supply to pass on to them.

Our last album Main Street (released in Jan) contains a song Main Street 54.  That song got its name because I usually use my voice memo on my phone to record the scratch tracks on…and my phone labels recordings by location so that song was the 54th recording on Main Street (my address at the time) and we ended up liking that title and kept it.. actually all but 1 song on that EP were written in about 2 months on Main Street which is why I decided to name the album such…side streets is a collection of songs that were written around the same time but not at home. And I like the idea of tying them both together like I did with our first two EPs Gratitude side A and side B.

Are there any new sounds or techniques you’re experimenting with this time around?

This last time in the studio we played around with background vocals and added a lot more keys and even had a wonderful violinist come in and play.. and I would definitely like to build on that and keep making our music bigger.

How have your Michigan roots influenced the sound and storytelling of Lori & the Darlings? 

I consider myself so very lucky to have been raised by a father who found music to be of upmost importance…he too was a writer and musician…and I grew up watching him write so many songs…good songs…and record them using this four track he had bought.  He was so very picky about lyrics…he didn’t like easy or lazy lyrics. And he beat that into me.  Because of his love of music, he seemed to have hundreds of records I was allowed to listen to – artists like Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, and Donovan; artists who had mastered telling stories thru music…I think that had a lot to do with how I write.  He was in bands starting in the 60’s in Detroit..doesn’t get a lot cooler than that…he was an amazing influence and reference for me growing up.

How do these elements resonate within your latest tracks?

So that being said, I always am very careful with the words…I might revise a song 20 times until the lyrics are just right…after that though, I rely heavily on the band to mold the song into whatever it feels it should become.  There is this very cool organic thing that happens once we sit down and start playing a song for the first time….after a couple of run-throughs…things just crazy fall into place…and we all come from such different music backgrounds that there is a little bit of everything coming into each song…I love that…we are generally considered Americana but we have songs that are way more blues and songs that sound almost jazzy…I like not being able to be nailed down tight to one genre

What has your experience of the Michigan music scene been? 

I wouldn’t want to be in any other state doing this right now!  Michigan is amazing for music – whether you love listening to it or playing it!  Lori & the Darlings began a little over three years ago getting our first gig in Saginaw Michigan at this great little venue White’s Bar – they are a real deal venue that has a long legacy, history and a reputation for being huge music supporters and have had nothing but the most positive interactions on every level ever since. The other bands (Amazing bands!) we have networked with doing the same thing, the venues we have played at…and the many radio stations that make a place for indie music on their programs…so much love and support for the music community here! We love it!

Over the course of your musical career, how have you seen your artistic identity evolve? 

I can’t speak for the band but personally I would have to say that I have finally grown into a comfortable place where I am not worried so much about performing or even putting songs I’ve written out there for anyone to listen to as I used to be.  There was a time when I was so worried they weren’t good enough or didn’t say the right things the right way.  These days I write how I feel or what I know with a new confidence. It’s refreshing to not worry about that.

What has been the most significant turning point for the band?

 The band has done a lot of growth since it’s birth. If you listen to our first two albums and then Main Street you will notice a significant change in the production of the album. I think letting someone else in to help with that moved mountains when it came to a final product. I wish that would have been the case with the first two, but it’s a lesson learned. I was very stubborn and protective of the first two albums…I was worried about outside influences changing the songs too much…I’ve come to realize having help in that area is priceless and has taken our music to a new level.

How does the upcoming music video for I Want It So Bad bring the single to life?

Oh man!! I love this video so much!  We hope to wrap up editing this week and have a final product in mid-August. This will be my very first attempt at video work!  I was the director, videographer and editor all in one!  Of course, our lead guitar player Roger Marchbanks is the star of the show.  I took him all over Detroit and filmed him playing the song in front of historic and iconic locations. It’s turning out great so far and matches the song which is a playful fun fast rock n roll song! I can’t wait to release it!

Beyond the release of Side Streets, what are your future plans and ambitions? 

We have some amazing festivals lined up at the end of this year and next year as well!  A couple more music videos coming out from Main Street to wrap up that project and talk about adding a new member or two to the band…

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Stream Lori & the Darlings on Spotify now.

Follow the band on Facebook to stay up to date with news of future releases & tours.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast