“Carper’s heavily twangy vocal tone is different from Billie Holiday’s, but it’s similarly distinctive, and very much a signature of her sound." - Austin American-Statesman
"Carper is hands-down one of the best in the trad music game." - The Boot
"Carper has found her true voice and place in the music world, and with a sound many country and roots music fans are thirsty for." - Saving Country Music
"Ramblin’ Soul replicates the effortless cool from Daddy’s Country Gold. Carper’s relentless creativity spins our grandparents’ music into something immediate and familiar." - No Depression
"…her music wrangles sounds of a different era – country jazz, honky-tonk, and a bluesy soul unfurling with the thick twang of her vocals... Most spectacular though is the emotional twinge that wrings from the soulful shuffle of songs like 'Ain't a Day Goes By'" - The Austin Chronicle
"Ah, yes, that old feel. It's what makes Carper's music such a joy." - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
“Hot damn, Melissa Carper has done it again” - The Arkansas Times
“Carper’s voice acts as an enveloping history lesson in American music, pulling from all the greats of bygone eras to create a vibe that’s as comforting as it is fresh.” - Glide Magazine
“...an Ozark Billie Holiday” - WMOT
“It ain’t old, it ain’t retro, it’s just real.” - Country Music People
"...there isn't an undeveloped or thoughtless tune on the entire body of work...a technically sound, creatively distinctive album that authentically encompasses Carper's eclectic foundation and Americana as a whole." - The Amp
“It’s retro and relevant all at the same time, giving Carper solid standing as an essential artist." - Holler.
"Melissa Carper is the real deal" - Basic Folk
"As she says in closing tune, ‘Hanging on to You’ “They don’t make them like they used to” Thankfully Melissa Carper does." - Americana-UK
"Sepia-toned and smoky, Carper is front and center, as emotional as Hank Williams and as enthralling as Billie Holiday. Few artists transition as well from the side of the stage to the center, but Melissa Carper performs at another level entirely." - Sound and Soul
"Melissa Carper seeks to reclaim what made Country music great before it went all pop. And she just might do it." - Tuned Up
“...gentle western swing and soulful tones of hope” - Country Queer
"...an artist who can croon, swoon, sashay and strut with the best" - The Rocking Magpie
LISTEN: RAMBLIN’ SOUL
Today, critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter and upright bassist Melissa Carper has released her new LP, Ramblin’ Soul, via Mae Music/Thirty Tigers. In 2020, grappling with the loss of regular gigs, Carper and her partner, award-winning fiddler Rebecca Patek, moved to a friend’s farm near Austin, working in exchange for housing, organic vegetables, and fresh, country air. The simpler life afforded Carper the space and rejuvenation needed to channel her muse and begin writing for her next album.
"Ramblin' Soul was inspired by the new appreciation I had for the freedom to travel around the country and perform," explains the Austin-based lifelong wanderer. Carper was relieved and energized to be back on the road, on a familiar pilgrimage from Texas to Arkansas and back to meet and collaborate with musician friends. "I had taken for granted the ability to interact with audiences and friends and how much it feeds my soul and my creative process," she adds. Feeling inspired by time on the road and time with other creative minds, she penned the title track on the way back home, and the Ramblin' Soul seeds were planted.
From its conception and throughout the recording process, the album seemed to take on a life of its own. “Thematically, I had a handful of songs about rambling around and living a free life that I wanted to weave through the album,” she recalls. “I also knew I wanted Ramblin' Soul to have a different feel than my previous release, Daddy's Country Gold, with more upbeat and diverse styles and grooves.” Ramblin’ Soul features 10 Carper originals--venturing into her blues, early rock 'n roll, and soul influences, blended with her signature flavors of country, western swing, and jazz. The album also boasts a co-write with friend and collaborator Gina Gallina (who also animated Carper’s video for album track “1980 Dodge Van”), a song penned by friend and frequent collaborator Brennen Leigh, and a reimagined classic from folk n’ soul pioneer Odetta. There is something for everyone on Ramblin' Soul.
WATCH: “1980 DODGE VAN”
WATCH: “HIT OR MISS (ft. Shinyribs)”
WATCH: “RAMBLIN’ SOUL”
WATCH: “AIN’T A DAY GOES BY”
"The album freely explores many different styles of Americana music," she explains. "It was really incredible and so much fun to hear the songs develop in the studio with a stellar group of musicians and producers all sharing their ideas and bringing each song to life." Carper knew she wanted to work again with Andrija Tokic (The Bomb Shelter) and Dennis Crouch (Time Jumpers) to co-produce and the same incredible crew of musicians that contributed their immense talents to Daddy's Country Gold, along with some new additions to the roster. Some of Nashville's finest session and touring artists appear on the lineup, including Crouch (bass), Chris Scruggs (guitars and steel), John Pahmer (organ and piano), Matty Meyer (drums), Billy Contreras (fiddle), Rory Hoffman (clarinet, piano, nylon-string guitar), Wes Langlois (guitar), Sierra Ferrell and Larry Marrs (George Jones) on harmony vocals, and a backing vocal trio of Kyshona Armstrong, Maureen Murphy, and Nickie Conley. "They seriously knocked it out of the park," Carper says. "It was truly a group effort. I was blown away by everyone involved and the resulting soulful and joyful energy of the album. I am excited to get Ramblin' Soul out into the world and hope people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it."
The album is available for purchase and streaming on all platforms HERE. Melissa Carper is currently celebrating the album release with shows in Austin, Nashville, Little Rock, New Orleans, and more, and will embark on a West Coast tour in early 2023. Be sure to follow her at the links below for all the latest news and updates.
TOUR DATES
11/18 - Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern
11/20 - Eureka Springs, AR @ Chelsea’s
12/1 - San Antonio, TX @ The Lonesome Rose
12/2 - Austin, TX @ State Theatre
12/3 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
12/4 - New Orleans, LA @ Cafe Istanbul
12/5 - Birmingham, AL @ Dave's Pub
12/7 - Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
12/8 - Decatur, GA @ Eddie’s Attic
12/9 - Nashville, TN @ Station Inn
12/10 - Knoxville, TN @ Boyd’s Jig & Reel
12/11 - Berea, KY @ Rebel Rebel Studio & Lounge
1/18 - Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar^
1/20 - Hollywood, CA @ The Hotel Cafe^
1/21 - San Francisco, CA @ Amado’s^
1/22 - Mariposa, CA @ The Grove House^
1/24 - Reno, NV @ Abby’s Highway 40^
1/26- Bend, OR @ Silver Moon Brewing^
1/27 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios^
1/28 - Seattle, WA @ Conor Byrne Pub
1/31 - Boise, ID @ The Olympic Venue^
2/1 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court^
2/3 - Fort Collins, CO @ The Coast^
2/4 - Denver, CO @ Globe Hall^
2/5 - Trinidad, CO @ Trinidad Lounge^
^w/ Kassi Valazza
CONNECT WITH MELISSA CARPER:
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