Browsing Tag

americana

John Paycheck – bringing the toe-tapping back to country with ‘Lone Stars’

Posted on 21 April 2021

‘Lone Stars, crowded bars, fast women, and slow guitars’; that’s pretty much the job description for John Paycheck on ‘Lone Stars’ – a fast-paced, shuffly little slab of neo-trad country that’s laced with humour and proper musical pedigree. Paycheck is a self-confessed ‘nerdy high-tech redneck’, and what he’s aiming for – and delivering here – is a return to 90’s style fun country and western with toe-tappin’, foot-stampin’, whiskey-swillin’, country groove that people can dance to.

The son of a country music legend (and Grand Ole Opry member), part of Country’s ‘outlaw movement’ along with Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, John Paycheck is proper country and western through and through; that comes across in the obvious enjoyment of ‘Lone Stars’, the Texas shuffle and lap steel slide guitar sit alongside the swing and the clear ‘lovin’ it’ grins that are evident across ‘Lone Stars’. It’s a cracker of a single, and frankly if this doesn’t make you want to tap your (cowboy-booted) foot then nothing will.

Check out ‘Lone Stars’ on Spotify; find out more about John Paycheck here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Psych Folk meets Old School Blues in Reverend James Elmore Jenkins’ single, ‘Rise Up!’

Posted on 5 April 2021

Rise Up! is the latest single to be released by Tennessee-hailing minister and musician Reverend James Elmore Jenkins; the request won’t seem all that unreasonable once you’ve experienced the upraising melding of old school blues and psych-folk.

With dizzying electronic effect, potentially more mind-warping than anything that The Legendary Pink Dots have ever offered, infused into the soulful Americana soundscape – complete with lap steel guitar twangs, Rise Up! It is practically a transcendental experience. Any fans of the Blues greats such as Blind Willie Johnson won’t want to miss out on this release.

Rise Up! officially released on April 1st; you can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take A Stand: Siren Valley send out powerful message about speaking up for what is right on ‘Behave’ (ft. Janell Crampton and Tina Guzman)

Posted on 2 April 2021

As they join forces to put out a real message that needs to be heard, Siren Valley are back with the visuals for ‘Behave‘ (ft. Janell Crampton and Tina Guzman).

Siren Valley is the likable Antelope Valley, Southern California four-piece folk-pop/Americana band who play with a conscious mindset that is born from being close friends for so long. They bring joy to your smile during these horrific times that have made us seek that fulfilling emotional perspective that keeps us sane, when the world seems dark and cold.

They create their art-form so that they can bring hope to the healing, as you get washed away into their likable melodies, their close friendship is heard on each part as their music is effortless and so refreshingly honest with their joint collaboration with two inspiring vocalists, who sing from the heart.

This is the story of standing up for what is right, no matter what you were taught or told when you were young. The world evolved, but sadly some families didn’t and kept a lot of the bad old school practices which holds you back. The mission should be to fly free and expressing yourself by doing things that helps you, while developing your perspective and self-awareness.

The vocals are so enchanting and you feel the love on this message of showing that all women are definitely equal and need to treated as much in this male-dominated world, that needs to be way more supportive to basic human rights and cut out the poisonous plants that are stopping the growth, so we can all live with the same opportunities.

‘Behave‘ (ft. Janell Crampton and Tina Guzman) from folk-pop/Americana band Southern California-based Siren Valley, is an eye-opening music video that shows you inside to truly motivating artists who use their platform for the right reasons. No women should ever be hurt by or be treated badly by any man. Life is meant to be loved and be loved after all.

See this new music video on YouTube and check out the IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Brandon Bing – Dyin’ Breed: Rapturously Raucous Country Rock

Posted on 31 March 2021

Singer-songwriter Brandon Bing is keeping modern country rock alive and breathing, ironically, with tracks such as ‘Dyin’ Breed’. The southern sun-kissed single plants itself firmly within the roots of country and resounds through the massive radio-ready rock production.

It’s a track that rhythmically commands you to move and lyrically compels you to see the beauty in the world in the same way the Florida & Nashville- based artist does. You almost don’t need the artist’s bio to know that he lives between Florida and Nashville, the gloss and grit delivered in Dyin’ Breed is a telling sign and just one of the reasons why Brandon Bing stands out so easily from the rest.

His rapturously raucous lyricism paired with their gritty southern twang will do infinitely more for your outlook on life than pawing your way through a mountain of self-help books. The energy from the stomping rhythms paired with the rich resonant vocals won’t fail to crawl under your ribs as you listen to the hook-filled feat of honkytonk.

Dyin’ Breed is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Need Some Peace: Harrisonburg’s Who Shot John sing with such soul on ‘Big Mean Light’

Posted on 25 March 2021

Bringing us the story about needing a few extra winks in bed before rising again, Who Shot John sing so passionately on their new single taken off their debut album called ‘Big Mean Light‘.

Who Shot John is the unassuming Shenandoah Valley, West Virginia-based indie Americana/blues/rock-fusion four-piece act, who organically formulate a humbly lovable sound, as they sing about true life stories of how crazy this world really is.

Their true love for the rock, soul, blues, and Americana music shines through their bones, as they effortless charm flows like the stream of your beating heart, your body uplifted by their soulful music.

With a likable sound and vocals that has you in raptures, this is a band with a classic feel that absolutely love what they do when they are together, playing their hearts out and telling stories that inspire them each day.

‘Big Mean Light‘ from Harrisonburg, Shenandoah Valley-based Who Shot John, is an escape from the current world of heartache, as they tells us their disgust with the sun filtering in, that has interrupted their sleep to barge into the door unannounced. The day has begun with a flick of a switch, as they try and get those extra five minutes before rising up, to see what the world has in store.

Hear this top new song on Soundcloud and see their story on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Award-winning bluegrass singer, Kevin Serey is set to release their wisdom-driven single ‘Old Man’s Eyes’

Posted on 9 March 2021

Singer-songwriter, Kevin Serey has been raking in the accolades since making their debut. As an Ohio Music Award Winner and an International Acoustic Music Awards finalist, his highly-anticipated forthcoming album holds plenty of promise. On the basis of the standout single, Old Man’s Eyes, he’s discernibly delivered.

As we’re collectively living through some of the most isolating times in living history, wisdom-fuelled singles, such as Old Man’s Eyes are priceless. Serey’s consoling words melodically shove you in a positive direction while his timeless bluegrass country folk tones leave you enraptured by evoking just as much emotion as the lyrics.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Kevin Serey’s new album, in the meantime, hear their award-winning previous releases via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Canadian folk singer-songwriter, Mike Latimer has made an unforgettable debut with ‘Your Memory’

Posted on 8 March 2021

Canadian folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Latimer has released the first single from their forthcoming album ‘Coastal Life’; ironically, ‘Your Memory’ is an unforgettable release.

The timeless single suckers you in through folk Americana familiarity, once you’re immersed, you’ll start to embrace the candidness of Mike Latimer’s adoringly sweet lyricism which wraps itself around the ghost of a lost lover. With the radiant tones and the affection in the vocals, the air of wistfulness doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to dominating this escapism-aiding release. Instead, Your Memory delivers a powerful lesson in the power of perception.

Your Memory is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

cp howes plays the ‘Situational Worldwide Blues’

Posted on 27 February 2021
cp howes

Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, cp howes, lyrically captured the monotony of a lockdown lifestyle while freeing us from it with his liberatingly soulful infusion of Blues, RnB and Gospel in their latest single ‘Situational Worldwide Blues’.

‘situational worldwide blues’ sounds like it should be a paradox, the clever juxtaposition drives home the devastatingly unifying reality of our lives while refusing the listener to be saddened by it. The honkytonk piano, shimmering organ wails and the unique acoustics of a cigar-box-6-string guitar ensure that nothing but good vibes are transmitted on the airwaves through Situational Worldwide Blues.

You can check out cp howes’ latest single here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

D. Marin Perez – Los Angeles: 60s psych pop-tinged blues

Posted on 27 February 2021
D. Marin Perez

Through exposure to the Beatles and Mormon hymns in their formative years, Cuban-American singer-songwriter, D. Marin Perez’s signature sound is laden with soul so strident it practically shimmers.

“Los Angeles” is the first single to be released from their 2021 album ‘Change Is’. Their infusion of 60s psych pop, accordant Americana, blues and soul unravels as a burst of visceral sun-bleached optimistic-in-spite-of-awareness-suffering euphoria.

With vocals as tender as Elliott Smith’s and instrumentals which find their roots in old school blues, Los Angeles is a track which blossoms as a compassionate snapshot of the trials and tribulations of modern living without allowing you to be depressed by them. You may just find yourself with a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose to invoke positive change once Los Angeles has faded to a close.

You can hear by heading over to Bandcamp or the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

VIDA NOA – Wild Woman: a cliché-free emboldening celebration of femininity

Posted on 22 February 2021

Fans of Stevie Nicks won’t struggle to find the same appeal in the latest single to be released by trailblazing singer-songwriter, VIDA NOA.

Wild Woman is a cliché-free celebration of femininity. The single rings with the same empowering sentiment as Bikini Kill’s ‘Rebel Girl’ and resounds as VIDA NOA’s panoramic vocals work with uplifting guitar progressions which drip-feed euphoria with every bended bluesy note.

Wild Woman is a perfect slice of radio-ready Americana pop-rock which would attract you to the front of a festival crowd like a moth to a flame.

Wild Woman is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast