Browsing Tag

country rock

Locked and Loaded: The Country Icon, Chris Erasmus, Fires Off with ‘Shotgun

Posted on 18 September 2024

Chris Erasmus’ latest single, Shotgun, finds its mark with a fusion of deep, resonant vocals and a dynamic full-band sound that finds new country roads to rhythmically explore. Opening with a voice that carries the haunting depth of Nick Cave, Erasmus sets a reflective tone with acoustic strings that soon give way to the invigorating swell of gospel-like backing vocals. The augmented choruses, brimming with vibrant energy, draw listeners into a rhythmic trance, emblematic of the single’s narrative of liberation and emotional revival.

Crafted as a sonic journey through the highs and lows of personal growth, Shotgun artfully captures the essence of moving beyond a toxic dynamic with the instrumentals mirroring the ebb and flow of introspection and realisation. It’s a narrative of empowerment, underscored by the thematic and literal movement the title suggests—moving forward, unburdened and unchained.

With a diverse background that spans continents—from Zimbabwe to London—and a rich litany of musical experiences, from classical training to theatrical performances, Erasmus brings a unique, cultured perspective to his work. This eclectic background shines through in Shotgun, which marries Americana sensibilities with a palpable emotional depth and expert craftsmanship.

Shotgun first blasted onto the airwaves on September 6th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ross Flora – Santa Ana Wind: A Whiskey-Soaked Country Blues Rock Ode to a Femme Fatale

Posted on 16 September 2024

If you’re looking for a track that anchors itself in the quintessence of bluesy country rock, look no further than Ross Flora’s latest single, ‘Santa Ana Wind’, which speaks rhythmic volumes of the singer-songwriter’s seasoned artistry as a fret veteran.

With the sublimity of the single manifesting through the gravelly timbre of whiskey-soaked vocal lines that caustically cut across the winding, sustained guitar notes, it is destined to become a sonic sanctuary for anyone who feels at home in the Nashville sound.

Ross Flora, with a guitar in hand, Flora becomes a conduit of hypnotism, weaving an alchemic spell that prompts you to ponder just when his visage will grace the halls of rock n’ roll fame. His cultivated ability to wrap an aura of seductive soul around his virtuosity is a testament to his rightful place in the annals of music legends.

Raised in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Ross’s origin story was written early after exposure to a tapestry of R&B and Bluegrass influences. From harmonising in church pews under his father’s tutelage to shredding Van Halen tracks in his youth, his path has always been marked by intrepid sonic exploration, which continued when he put down roots in Nashville and amassed a legion of fans with his unique ability to paint panoramic portraits through sound and soul.

With ‘Santa Ana Wind’, Ross Flora ensnares the listener in a narrative wrought from his rural roots and life’s meanderings, underscored by his literary acumen and deep respect for his musical forebears like Gregg Allman and Chris Cornell.  It’s impossible to reach the last note without finding equal amounts of room in your heart and on your music radar for Ross Flora.

Santa Ana Wind was officially released on September 6th; stream it on all major platforms via this link.

Review 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

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

Gregory Lee Pickard’s ‘Home’ is a reverent nod to roots and rebellion

Posted on 2 August 2024
Gregory Lee Pickard

In his seminal, soon-to-be-released, solo single, ‘Home‘, the illustriously revered Gregory Lee Pickard, whose career has spanned three decades and spawned countless accolades, distilled a soundscape with the culmination of his extensive experience and his ability to conjure more than sound through his panoramic vignettes.

The single melds country rock rhythms with gruff vocals, which will undoubtedly appeal strongly to fans of Dogs D’amour and The Quireboys. This cultivated ode to the concept of “home”—whatever that may signify for the listener—allows Pickard’s authenticity to shine iridescently.

The country twangs within the proto-punk-esque production allows Gregory Lee Pickard to soar above the mediocrity of artists who debase their discographies with assimilation; this is authenticity at its core. Just one hit of the single will leave you desperate to explore the treasure chest of rough-cut gems which throwback to the 70s NYC punk scene but firmly roots itself in contemporary resonance.

Gregory Lee Pickard, a storied songwriter, singer, and performer continues to lead and shape the sound of his current band, Not Las Vegas, while his foundational work with The Revelons has seen him headline venues from CBGB to the Bowery Ballroom. His broad discography spans influential releases and collaborations that touch everything from indie films to major motion pictures, cementing his place in the annals of music history.

For those who cherish musical integrity and the resonant tales of life’s wanderings, ‘Home’ by Gregory Lee Pickard offers more than just a listening experience—it invites a profound connection to the very essence of personal and musical exploration.

For more information about Gregory Lee Pickard, head to his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Brandon Bing took his inimitable sound down a dark country-rock road with Burnt Out at Both Ends

Posted on 24 June 2024

With one of his most sombrely affecting singles to date, Burnt Out at Both Ends, the peerlessly roots-reverent troubadour Brandon Bing took his sound down a dark country-rock road to explore a relatable dichotomy of desire.

Bing found a poignantly powerful way to attest to how impossible it is to have it all, especially when chasing dreams at the cost of connection. While never letting the single fall into a ravine of self-pity, Bing bared his burnt-out soul in a way that will sting your own. The underpinning theme of never feeling quite enough while failing to make yourself whole and the ones you love content resounds throughout the flawlessly executed country-rock anthem.

The touches of reverb on the opening guitar lines as they reverberate around the motifs of violin strings instantaneously set a melancholic mood. Yet, Bing ensures the following bolstered with passion high-octane riffs raise the energy beneath his evocatively expressive vocals that expose the raw nerves which inspired this tour de force of a triumph. His intuitive relationship with his guitar is enough to put him up there with Brad Paisley, Chet Atkins, and Vince Gill as one of the country-rock guitar greats. As for his voice, just try keeping a dry eye while being consumed by the Whiskey-soaked timbres.

Burnt Out at Both Ends was officially released on June 21; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roots and Rock Collide in Ashley Wineland’s Explosive Anthem Crank It Up

Posted on 26 May 2024
Ashley Wineland

Country rock firebrand Ashley Wineland blazed like a red-hot roots-reverent inferno in her latest single, Crank It Up.

The rhythmically compulsive tour de force is enough to strip you of every atom of inhibition from the moment you hit play. It is nothing short of a feat of alchemy that the swampy serpentine bluegrass guitars kept hold of their authenticity within the high-octane anthem which demands to be heard loud – Wineland didn’t even need to ask.

Produced by the award-winning songwriter and producer, Marti Frederiksen, who has become an integral part of the legacies of Carrie Underwood, Ozzy Osbourne, Buck Cherry, Aerosmith, Sheryl Crow, and Eminem for his songwriting and production credits, Crank It Up is an indomitable earworm which will ensure that Wineland’s career is equally revered as the aforementioned artists.

The prodigal daughter of Arizona has Country running through her veins; allowing everything she turns her undeniable talent to become an authentically exhilarant impact on the senses. Her voice deserves to be regarded as an elemental force of nature in its own right. If it wasn’t so pure with soul, it would be unholy.

If you get a chance to see her on tour, don’t even think twice about buying tickets.

Crank It Up was officially released on May 24h; stream the single on Spotify.

Discover more about Amy Wineland via her official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The sands of time slip away in Jeff Batson’s transmission of Americana-tinged college radio rock, End of the Grains

Posted on 12 May 2024

The feel-good fervour in Jeff Batson’s latest single, End of the Grains, allows you to imagine a parallel universe where Slash turns his iconic riffs to quintessentially uplifting college radio rock which effervesces with full-bodied and finessed to the nth-degree twangs of Americana.

The sentimentality within this sticky-sweet reminder of our mortality rings with immense sincerity, allowing the warmth-infused waves to crash over you as you catch the Nashville-based star’s indomitable lust for life. If you take each one of the mantras rhythmically laid out in the uplifting anthem, your life will start to feel like a utopia before the outro comes around and compels you to dive back into the melodically enriching tour de force.

Virtuoso may be a word that gets banded around a little too readily in the music industry, but Jeff Batson is a rare artist who warrants it with his mettle, which led to a Grammy nomination for writing the chart-topping single, The Rock, for fellow country star, Tracy Lawrence.

Batson’s career has been an endless series of triumphs, from sharing stages with Hank Williams Jr, Tracy Byrd, and Collin Raye to performing on TNN’s Prime Time Country show. With a presence that could light up any room, he deserves to be championed to the end of the earth.

Stream End of the Grains on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The country rock rapture arrived through The Whiskey State’s latest single, Where I Need to Be

Posted on 14 March 2024

In the valleys of Hampshire, The Whiskey State, comprising Tom Stride and Jordan Tate, has distilled a sound that resonates with the soul of country and the riotous heart of rock. Their latest single, “Where I Need to Be,” is a testament to their journey from college companions to creators of exhilaratingly sticky-sweet euphoria.

Imagine extracting the quintessence of The Manic Street Preachers, Bruce Springsteen, and Sam Fender, then blending it into a musical elixir. The result? A flavour profile as affecting as “Where I Need to Be,” a song that pays homage to the sanctity of country surrounds. It’s a track that stirs the soul so profoundly, that you might find yourself questioning if any roots-reverent rock track has ever touched it quite like this before.

The song encapsulates tender homecoming yearning through the guitar chords that wrap you in nirvana and endlessly ensnaring vocal hooks which make it impossible not to want to make The Whiskey State your sonic poison of choice. The songwriting prowess of the duo is as evident as their ability to catapult listeners into the soulful aura of their music.

Few things feel better than returning to whatever constitutes home, but this track comes a close second. With their debut EP “Welcome to…”, The Whiskey State not only showcases their distinctive blend of country and rock influences but also cements their place as one of the most captivating country-influenced rock duos in the Uk and beyond..

Stream the official music video for Where I Need to Be via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh darkened Americana’s Door with the Luxe Beguile in Her Ground-breaking Single, Foretold ft Neil Gibson

Posted on 3 March 2024

Ami Leigh, hailing from County Durham, UK, has long been an aurally beguiling chameleon. Her latest single, Foretold, marks a striking foray into country rock, infused with the essence of Portishead and the chill of rock-licked post-punk.

Foretold is a poignant narrative of doomed love regaled through Leigh’s crystalline vocal lines. Her voice, imbued with soulful clarity, weaves through the hauntingly reimagined Americana soundscape, creating a contrast that is both striking and harmonious. The cold, instrumental chill she introduces strips the genre of its traditional warmth, yet the ensuing guitar solos ignite a familiar country rock fire. This juxtaposition is Leigh’s genius, offering a fresh, yet respectful nod to her influences, ranging from The Cure to Pink Floyd.

Neil Gibson’s contribution cannot be overlooked. His guitar work echoes the emotional turbulence of the song’s narrative while elevating the release and adding layers of complexity and familiarity, ensuring Americana aficionados won’t feel lost in the artfully arcane textures. Foretold doesn’t just belong to the country rock genre; it expands it.

If you have ever endured a relationship fated to meet an ugly demise and come out the other side imbittered by your own naivety, expect Foretold to hit hard as the guitars shimmer and the harmonies bring you to rapture.

Watch the official music video for Ami Leigh’s latest single on YouTube, add it to your Spotify playlists, or purchase the track on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast