Browsing Tag

americana

Warick Pond picked up the pieces with the aching soul in his single, The Wreckage

Posted on 23 September 2022

Taken from his seminal album, Open Roads, Warick Pond’s standout single, The Wreckage, carries the solemnity of Tom Waits, the contemporary Americana edge of Kurt Vile, and the mellow melancholy of the Verve.

Reminiscences aside, the American singer-songwriter puts his own authentic beauty into aching soul through the resounding quiescence of his guitars, which match the gentle outpour of visceral emotion through his Americana-tinted vocal timbre.

When an artist can create such a profoundly emotional soundscape with minimal production and understatedly passionate vocals, you know that you’ve just come across a one-in-a-million entity. Enduring the agony of hopeless romanticism fleetingly became worth it through the resonance extended by Open Roads, which captures the enduring loneliness of the human condition and how tightly we cling to connections which can turn to past tense in the blink of an eye.

The Wreckage is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Copperhead Jones is down by the water in his narratively blissful country single, Cold Beers and Tight Lines

Posted on 21 September 2022

While deployed with the US Navy in 2012, the Texan country crooner, Copperhead Jones, started to pen his roots-deep Americana songs. A decade down the line, he is fresh from the release of his narratively escapist sophomore album, Anchor.

The standout single, Cold Beers and Tight Lines, lyrically sets the scene of a more serene time, while the upbeat Americana instrumentals feed the euphonic highs through the flair of the bluesy piano motifs, winding Country guitars and assuredly steady percussion that would have a dive bar crowd tapping their feet to the tight snappy rhythmic magnetism in no time at all. Regardless of the mood that Cold Beers and Tight Lines catches you in, the soulfully sincere soundscape is sure to brighten it.

Cold Beers and Tight Lines is now available to stream on Spotify along with the rest of Copperhead Jones’ 2022 album, Anchor.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Andrea & Mud are a rocksteady cinematic vision in their honkytonk classic country single, A World Just You and Me

Posted on 13 September 2022
https://soundcloud.com/andreaandmud/a-world-just-you-and-me-master?in=andreaandmud/sets/institutionalized/s-2umq8RxPBvk&si=fb659af527954dcd83a60414667dcbde&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Slip away from the 21st century with the honkytonk classic country single, A World Just You and Me, by the alchemically alluring Atlanta-based duo Andrea & Mud.

With Setzer-esque winding guitars which resound around the custom-crafted surf-western motifs between trickling piano keys and percussion that was crafted to jive to, A World Just You and Me is a rocksteady cinematic vision which transcends nostalgia by moving into the future of retro.

While Andrea Colburn vocally brings the grace and beguile, Kyle ‘Mud’ Moseley’s baritone vocal soul aches with sincerity, despite the playful tone of the romantically spurred lyrics.

A World Just You and Me will be available to stream and download from September 13th. Catch it on Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Clamp Down With My Leg Inside His Jaws: Powers of the Monk shows us the strength of nature with Big Bear Little Man

Posted on 12 September 2022
Big Bear Little Man by Powers of the Monk

Showing us deeply into the truly disastrous incident of a rural man’s rather unfortunate encounter with a scary grizzly bear, Powers of the Monk is at their finest on a single to remember as you sleep in your bed tonight with one eye open on Big Bear Little Man.

Powers of the Monk are a Detroit, Michigan-based indie alt-Americana duo who are fused with that boot tapping blues and tremendously soulful roots.

Detailing that hungry growl and the deep rawness of a moment that can cause death rather brutally, Powers of the Monk ravage through the trees and show us into a gruesome description, which will shock many and features a quality sound to treasure. Their intricate skill set comes to the fore for all to witness, as they fantastically fuse a track together that shall claw slightly on your soft skin.

Big Bear Little Man from Detroit, Michigan-based indie alt-Americana duo Powers of the Monk is a warning for anyone who turns their back away from the dangers lurking in the rustling and wind-swept woods. Showing us deep inside that sun-soaked whiskey and soaring into our mindsets, this is a release with a storyteller’s delight on offer here.

Filled with raspy vocals and an ear-opening sound to wake you up from that afternoon nap, guiding us into the mentality of that wild animal who doesn’t know any better.

Listen up to this descriptive single on Bandcamp.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Red Dress: Medicine Hat knows that you just gotta do what you gotta do on Sadie

Posted on 3 September 2022

Bringing us something so genuine and rather stress free to help us think about washing away the shame of the current world, Medicine Hat return with a super performance to wholeheartedly remember for a lifetime on Sadie.

Medicine Hat is a Ventura, California-based indie Americana duo who were born over the toasty ashes of a steaming hot campfire.

”With the fan coined term “Lonesome Desert Rock” as their tag, they continue to win over listeners with their gritty authenticity.” ~ Medicine Hat

Layered with an underground brilliance and soothingly exciting excellence, Medicine Hat shows us where the cure is on this vocally gritty performance, which is such a pure experience you’ll find hard to forget.

Sadie from Ventura, California-based indie Americana duo Medicine Hat is a guitar-packed experience from a skilled outfit who just knows how to make outstanding music. With solos aplenty to please those who like it old school, this is a fine highlight to float you into a better place in time.

Urging us to confess on Sunday to get those sins washed away forever, this is a splendid single made by a quality duo who has brought us something quite enduring to remember fondly.

Tune your ear inside Spotify to hear this track and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Royce DeZorzi shows us impressive skills on the groovy wonder that is Denver

Posted on 27 August 2022

Released from his upcoming album, Royce DeZorzi shows us his incredible guitar skills on an ode to a city that has truly been a proper home on the goodbye tribute called Denver.

Royce DeZorzi is a Denver-based, Nashville, Tennessee-soon-to-be based indie Americana singer-songwriter who blends in elements of bluegrass and folk into his sonic landscapes.

“I’ve ended up on the outside looking in from a lot of past relationships, friendships, and musical partnerships. During recording, I found myself in the right space to sit down and reflect on some things I’ve learned and experienced here, and, just as importantly, say thank you and goodbye.” says DeZorzi

Delighting all of our veins and causing our hearts to flutter in well-needed peace, Royce DeZorzi has just released a single that is hardly forgettable and packed with expert layers of brilliance. Soothing and super mellow, this might be a single that shall get you clicking your fingers and tapping your toes.

Denver from Nashville, Tennessee-soon-to-be-based indie Americana singer-songwriter Royce DeZorzi is one of the more pleasant singles you’re likely to hear today. Rich in skill and genuine in production, this is a perfect song for when you just want to reflect for a little while. No vocals are needed, and the picture is so clear from a wonderful musician, who continues to strengthen his craft no matter what is going on in the world.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Escape in the roots of Drew Peterson’s Americana folk single, Duck

Posted on 25 August 2022

With the quirky intensity of Neutral Milk Hotel and the bluegrass crooning of Tom Waits, we couldn’t help succumbing to the soul in Drew Peterson’s album, St. Jude, A Duck and the Crooked Line.

The opening single, Duck, is a narratively escapist Midwest adventure from the independent roots singer-songwriter who has been twanging acoustic strings and entertaining rowdy bars on the Minnesota scene for over two decades. The softly gruff vocals work their way through the dry humour in the lyrics over the minimalist production, consisting of little more than accordion and strings. But that is all Peterson needed to sonically consume you with the endearingly titled, Duck.

Check out Drew Peterson’s debut solo album via his official website and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

You Know I like It: Suzanne VanRandwyk wants to feel that tingle again on her spine with Kiss Me Again

Posted on 11 August 2022

Reminiscing about that time when her heart fell in love instantly, Suzanne VanRandwyk sends us one of the most romantic singles of 2022 so far with the joyful smooch-filled gem that is Kiss Me Again.

Suzanne VanRandwyk is a wonderful indie Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter who blends in Americana, folk-rock and country.

”Creates heartfelt songs that tell stories of everyday people in vivid detail.” ~ Suzanne VanRandwyk

Soothing our worries away while she brings a ray of sweet sunshine inside our intrigued ears, Suzanne VanRandwyk shows us we are better off when we are in the zone of love. Her genuine vibes are there for all to see and hear, as there is a warm glow of fondness from a truly classy soul.

Kiss Me Again from Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Americana/country artist Suzanne VanRandwyk is that hugely memorable song when you just want your whole body to feel so fine again, like it deserves. Sung with so much love and beautiful energy, this is a lovely effort to put on loud when you need to feel like innocent romance still exists.

Listen up to this fine new single on Spotify and see more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Set yourself free with The Paul Clark Project’s sophomore Americana Folk LP, Sown from the Same Seed

Posted on 10 August 2022

Some say time is the greatest healer, but that empty idiom falls short of the mindful catharsis extended by artists, such as The Paul Clark Project.

The singer-songwriter’s sophomore album, Sown from the Same Seed, uses a timelessly transformative blend of folk, rock and Americana to remind us that even though there are billions of us spread across the globe, we all have the same unifying origin and intrinsic needs.

In a time where irrational tribalism splinters our society, artists and thinkers need to step up to the plate and act as the glue to bind us into peace, love and acceptance. No one could accuse Paul Clark of not pulling his mindfully resolving weight. The opening single, Consciousness, opens a can of candour, forcing into recollection our twisted reality where we shackle ourselves with anger and limitation.

Beyond the humbling textures and tones is an unreckonable intelligence; spurred by Clark’s experience as a clinical social worker and mental health advocate. For your sanity’s sake, take notes.

Sown from the Same Seed is now available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Greek folk band Grey River & the Smoky Mountain broke borders to break hearts with their latest single, Unlovable

Posted on 9 August 2022

Blending folk styles from America, Ireland and Europe, the Athens-Greece hailing folk artist Grey River & the Smoky Mountain is set to break hearts as they broke borders with their latest single, Unlovable.

The sheer dedication to candour is striking; the way the lyrics run through in the same way as a depressive episode does is quite another. Admirably, there’s no twist to the melancholy after the hauntingly pitch-perfect admission that they’re not good enough to love. It is left to the banjo and the steel guitar to bring the upbeat energy while the vocalist and mandolinist, Rena Papageorgiou, ironically becomes infinitely loveable.

The official music video for Unlovable is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast