MY SISTER, MY BROTHER DUO OF SEAN MCCONNELL AND GARRISON STARR RELEASE “LUSH AND BITTERSWEET” (-Glide Magazine) SOPHOMORE ALBUM MY SYSTER, MY BROTHER II

Photo by Taylor Ballantyne

MY SISTER MY BROTHER II
LISTEN

Nashville, Tenn. – My Sister, My Brother, the songwriting duo of Sean McConnell and Garrison Starr, have released My Sister, My Brother II, their sophomore album out today.

In a recent episode of FolkAlley's “Why We Write” podcast, host Kim Ruehl called the album “…an emotionally honest, sonically expansive ray of light in this world.”

“This isn’t a long collection but it’s a beauty… their voices are like cream poured into coffee.” – Americana Highways

The duo was born by chance while both were attending a songwriting retreat. They were randomly paired to write a song together, that tapped into a natural chemistry.

My Sister, My Brother debuted in 2020 with their self-titled debut EP. Shortly after release the World was brought to a halt by a two-year global pandemic. The artists reunited as soon as travel bans were lifted and began creating new music. After a week of hunkering down at McConnell’s Silent Desert Studio, they emerged with a collection of seven new songs titled My Sister, My Brother II. 

 “II proves the band’s initial offering was far more than beginner’s luck but was true songwriter chemistry...” - Glide Magazine 

  My Brother My Sister II is available now 

BUZZ

“‘Another Life’ starts out acoustic but soon plunges into a full-bloodied rock song with Garrison Starr and Sean McConnell trading lines and wandering into the same LA streets that Bob Seeger dragged the Silver Bullet Band into.” – Americana UK 

“[‘Another Life’] from U.S. super-duo My Sister My Brother redefines the phrase ‘A breath of fresh air.’” - At The Barrier 

“MSMB serve up a track that underscores their affection for one another—a mutual pledge of allegiance that embodies their spiritual affinity. The hymn-like cadence takes us to a welcoming, queer church while the song remains firmly planted in an Americana template.” – Country Queer

“There’s something special when independent artists collaborate. I’m not talking about two songwriters sitting in a room to write a song together but rather when they weave their talents together to create a cohesive and collaborative piece of work.  The results can be magical… Case in point, the stunning “Cry Me A River” from the forthcoming My Sister, My Brother II. The ballad, ushered along by piano and majestic strings, is uplifting and beautiful. The two singers harmonize exquisitely as they counsel someone during a time of need.” - Twangville

   KEEP UP WITH MY SISTER, MY BROTHER

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SHADWICK WILDE RELEASES HIS ‘WATER WORLD’ OPUS OF AN ALBUM FOREVER HOME

OUT NOW VIA SOFABURN RECORDS
“In a perfect world, many of these songs would become standards.” - Americana Highways 

“Though the instrumentation and songwriting feel heavily drawn from a more traditional approach to Americana, the production and vocal styling feels more akin to more modern pop sensible acts like Bahamas. Wilde’s voice is smooth and personable with a natural warble and an effortless ability to take to falsetto notes to great effect.” - Glide Magazine (on “Easy Rider”) 

“​​With his piercing lyricism and unwavering commitment to his craft, Shadwick Wilde has not only cemented his status as a masterful songwriter but has also extended an intimate invitation into the quiet recesses of his heart and home.”  -  B-Side Guys

“There are lines that dance with poetry, but Wilde’s greatest talent, which he does here, is making listeners feel the weight of what he is carrying around in his head.” - Leo Weekly 

“ The final product is an emotional and almost cinematic journey.” - Louisville Public Media (on “Without You”)

“Through it all is Wilde’s deep commitment to self-reflection and to protect everything that makes life worth living, even the bad stuff.” - Rainbow Rodeo
“Easy Rider” warmth of his guitar strings, and the accompanying video shot on 16mm film, there is no pretending that these moments are solid and effortless..." -Folk Radio UK

FOREVER HOME: LISTEN 

Louisville’s Shadwick Wilde has released his opus of an album  Forever Home out today on SofaBurn Records, produced by renowned Nashville drummer Ken Coomer (Billy Bragg, Will Hoge, Margo Price, Vance Joy, Al Green, Wilco, and Uncle Tupelo). The album is available on all digital platforms as well as on limited edition colored vinyl versions of the album HERE.  

Wilde cut his teeth as a guitarist in hardcore bands in his youth, and after spending time in San Francisco, and Havana, settled in his current home in Louisville, Kentucky, and began writing his own songs and forming the first iteration of Quiet Hollers. After the band’s 2013 rootsy- midwestern album I Am the Morning, the band worked at a relentless pace, releasing a record every two years, and producing content, all while rigorously touring the U.S. and Europe winning over crowds with their transcendent live shows.  After a decade of this unforgiving cycle, Shadwick decided to get off the album release tour cycle merry-go-round and ushered in the most prolific writing period of his career. The result was the Quiet Hollers’ 2022 release Forever Chemicals and the stunning ten songs that comprise Forever Home recorded at Coomer’s Cartoon Moon studio in Nashville. 

Working with Coomer was a practice in surrender for Wilde. In the past, Wilde’s recording process was a push for perfection, and with Coomer Wilde had to let go of the reins and succumb to Coomer's process of letting the songs unravel on their own. The result is ten stunning songs that are an exercise in finding contentment in the present, in lieu of the inevitable state of doom constantly looming in the background. The album opens with the acoustic guitar-driven song “Easy Rider,” which was the first single released from the album.  When asked about the song Wilde told Folk Radio UK that he tried “to capture the truth of the ennui that can creep in when life becomes too peaceful or happy. Depression always wants to step in and throw things off balance, for me anyway.”

“Easy Rider” was followed by “Without You,” an existentialist love ballad examining the frailty of memory, the truth of impermanence, and our clinging to one another that Louisville Public Media called “... an emotional and almost cinematic journey,” then “Floating Away,” a song about the inevitable impermanence in love relationships that Rainbow Rodeo called a  soft protest against mortality’s cruel interruption of love.”  Both “Without You” and “Floating Away”  are close to the demos and reflect Coomer’s signature style of minimalism of this album, recording live with minimal takes to preserve the emotion and spontaneity of the creative process.  The album concludes with the title track “Forever Home,” which encompasses the dichotomy of family life and the life of an artist. “ I want to be at home with my partner and our beautiful child, surrounded by nature, away from the ugliness of our crumbling society,” Wilde told Under the Radar Magazine. “But I also want to be out in it, seeing it all— the beauty, the grime— rock and roll clubs, loud music, sweaty, imperfect humanity. I have been trying to find a way to do both. It’s hard to find balance. Sometimes I do want to burn it all to the ground, start fresh— and leave the wanderer’s life. But the pull is strong.”  

Wilde has joked that this album was his  ‘Waterworld,’ the colossal disaster of a movie that almost ruined Kevin Costner’s career. “ The parallels are difficult to ignore,” Wilde told Twangville. “ Both he and I nearly bankrupted ourselves to bring our apocalyptic visions into reality. I have been thinking and writing a lot about water these past few years; how Heraclitus said we can never step into the same river twice… both the human and the river being in a constant state of flux. Our bodies have roughly the same salinity as the ocean, the source of all life on Earth. I learned a lot of letting go, in the process of making this record. We all are in this river of time, everchanging. All we can do is row, row our little boat, gently down the stream– making small adjustments to our course, but ultimately heading toward the same destination: the ocean that is eternity, the infinite vastness of the cosmos. When the waves of this life come and knock us down, we have a tendency to forget that we too are the ocean, and that in fact, everything does come in waves.”

Shadwick has been on tour performing his solo material with the Quiet Hollers and will be playing an album release show presented by Louisville Public Media’s WFPK on September 30th before heading over to Europe to play Rootzz 2023 in the Netherlands.

KEEP UP WITH SHADWICK WILDE

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube |  Spotify 

TOUR DATES

Sept 23  Guestroom Records OKC @ 2pm Oklahoma City, OK **

Sept 23 - The Colony - Tulsa, OK**

Sept 24 - Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS**

Sept 30  Headliners Music Hall - Louisville, KY **

Oct 28  Rootzz 2023 @ 7:30pm Breda, Netherlands

** w/ Quiet Hollers

^ w/ Lacey Guthrie

“LITERATE FOLK POP” SINGER-SONGWRITER ARIELLE SILVER CONTEMPLATES COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIPS OVER PIE IN “BRAMBLE VINE” - HER FIRST SINGLE IN THREE YEARS

FORTHCOMING ALBUM WATERSHED TO BE RELEASED OCTOBER 6th 

“Arielle Silver is a baker of pies and a penner of poetry.” - Americana UK

"Lovely songwriting" - The Boston Globe

“With a keen sense of how a song works; expressive lyrics…Silver wrestles with and makes peace with the world.” - Acoustic Music

“What Really Matters”…was born from both an introspective internal analysis of her own life as well as two tragic events near her Los Angeles residence…filled with an infectious percussive groove, hand claps, foot stomps and an urgent commanding vocal.” - American Songwriter on “What Really Matters”

“Silver builds upon the tradition of performers like Carole King and Sarah McLachlan…With crystal-clear lyrics weaving considerable narrative depth.” - Neufutur 
“...creative and inventive tunes that capture your soul and make you want to fly. The songs are “sad” in feeling, yet very uplifting and enriching in context, and leave you feeling refreshed and vibrant.” - Music Connection

“BRAMBLE VINE” : LISTEN | WATCH

LOS ANGELES, CA - Today LA singer-songwriter Arielle Silver released the folk-pop ballad “Bramble Vine,” the first offering from her forthcoming fifth album Watershed out October 6th. Silver was inspired by the blackberries that grew outside her childhood home for the song, and leads the viewer through piemaking and a performance in the Kevin Rhoades directed and produced music video. “One day I was making pie and thinking about relationships,” says Silver, “and thinking that some kinds of love are complicated but worth the work.” An earthy, scenic singer-songwriter ballad in 6/8, “Bramble Vine” is grounded in acoustic guitar and tender piano, and exemplifies Silver’s literary approach to songwriting, or in her words - “literate folk pop.” 

“Some kind of love is like that / sweetness buried in a thorny patch / bramble vine, heat, and time / form a heart from the scraps,”  sings Silver over delicate acoustic strumming and an understated Wurlitzer. “Bramble Vine” is rounded out by memorable performances from celebrated musicians including producer-singer-songwriter Shane Alexander (backing vocals, electric guitar, glockenspiel), composer Darby Orr (bass, piano, Wurlitzer), and Denny Weston Jr. (drums, percussion). 

As a longtime yoga practitioner and storyteller, Silver’s goal as a songwriter is to carry these practices and philosophies into her music, and to imbue the songs with a sense of purpose for those listening. When writing, Silver asks herself “what is the mission for this song in the world? If I’m going to spend time creating a song, and people are going to listen, why is it worth their while? Where’s the real treasure in this song?” 

This consideration carries Silver through the songwriting process to gorgeous results: fully realized songs that waste no space in delivering moving messages to listeners, while recalling past experiences and relationships, or settings that shape these narrative-based stories and emotional musings. In all, Silver crafts moving pieces that capture the heart and soul of the human condition. 

“Bramble Vine” follows Silver’s 2020 acclaimed album A Thousand Tiny Torches. With support from Americana UK, American Songwriter, and more, the album was produced and recorded with singer-songwriter Shane Alexander, whose partnership with Silver continued throughout the recording and production of Watershed. 

Silver is a consummate storyteller whose Americana-roots-influenced songs are rich with imagery, empathy, and insight. Conceived in the quiet of the pandemic quarantine, Watershed takes its title as much from that watershed moment in time as it does from the North American spaces where the story-songs take place. Renewing and reflective, water runs through many of the songs as crosscurrents that connect ideas to experiences, and people to places. 

Creative writing adjunct faculty at Antioch University and the founder of Bhavana Flow Yoga studio, Silver’s writing and songwriting pulls inspiration from her childhood and surroundings, from engaging character-based narratives, and a deep sense of spirituality. Growing up with the music of Paul Simon, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and John Denver, all artists introduced to her by her father on acoustic guitar, has led Silver through troubadour traditions across the valleys of the great American music genres; Americana & roots music, folk, blues, county, and more round out Silver’s style. She finds equal inspiration in the sounds and storied histories of Laurel Canyon and Greenwich Village.

Silver serves as the President of FAR-West (Folk Alliance Region West), where she fosters and promotes the work of artists, songwriters, and more across traditional, contemporary, and multicultural folk music, storytelling, and performing arts. She additionally serves as a team member for the SONA Foundation, a charitable organization that advocates on behalf of songwriters and music creators. 

Born on Florida’s Gulf Coast and raised up and down the Atlantic seaboard, Arielle now lives just a traffic jam away from the Pacific Ocean in her adopted home of Los Angeles. Memories of places and times serve as touchstones through her songs, as does the troubadour music traditions of folk, country, and rock that she heard from her guitar-strumming architect father. Throughout her music and storytelling runs an ethic of care, along with an essential wellspring of interpersonal relationships and ecological notice.

Photo by Anabel DFlux

KEEP UP WITH ARIELLE SILVER

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FRANCES LUKE ACCORD RELEASE NEW LP SAFE IN SOUND VIA TWO-DALE RECORDS/TONE TREE MUSIC

ALBUM RELEASE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

“...a captivating, immersive folk experience" - Atwood Magazine 

"Delivered over an ethereal combination of strings and percussion...culminates with the bold realization of how precious life is and how it shouldn’t be taken for granted." - Blue Ridge Outdoors

"Beautiful" - RIFF Magazine 

"What could be better than to be Frances Luke Accord...and gaining routine comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel for their sweetly blended vocals?  Their music certainly draws on that earlier duo’s sometime wistful strain" - Americana-UK 

"...a dreamlike piece of folk music that brings me joy with every listen. It’s a real treat." - Ear To The Ground 

“...immaculately harmonized folk music that feels like a warm, comforting blanket being wrapped around you, even at their most experimental. It’s impossible not to feel safe listening to these acoustic hymns written for all seasons.” - The Indy Review 

"...a bright ray of folk sunshine"  - East of 8th 

"...the voices of Gunty and Powers together effortlessly pulls listeners in with an urge to hear the story being told." - Music Mecca 

"...beautiful folk classicalism" - American Pancake 

"Captivating" - Indie Tapes 

"...a mesmerizing sense of complexity here that pushes beyond simple vintage-folk comparisons into a modern world informed by Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and many others. The music of Frances Luke Accord offers a bridge between a classic era of folk-inspired pop and the current day." - CHILLFILTR 

"With melodic cues known to Simon and Garfunkel and an indie sensibility known to Sufjan Stevens…an intoxicating offering in the world of indie folk.  Poetically vibrant and slightly abstract, the duo is dreamy." - The Wild Is Calling

LISTEN: SAFE IN SOUND 

Frances Luke Accord (“FLA”) has released their new LP Safe In Sound via Two-Dale Records/Tone Tree Music. Safe In Sound is a spacious and deeply textured indie-folk record about forging on in the face of uncertainty. Brimming with sing-along earworms that deliver a front-and-center view of the band’s signature ethereal harmonies, the album features guest appearances from Darlingside, Liz Chidester, and more. Recorded largely through quarantine, its lyrics often reflect the exasperation of artists struggling to hang on through the storm.

Drawing frequent comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, and other iconic folk artisans, FLA’s Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers create a delicate magic that commands the room to attention. Their work is what NPR’s Mountain Stage has called “the definition of lean-in music” – from deeply contemplative to playfully sentimental, each song bears a timeless quality, honoring the past while moving gracefully into the present.

WATCH: “IN MY LIFE (ft. Darlingside)”

Both raised in South Bend, Indiana, Gunty and Powers met and began performing together during their time at the University of Notre Dame. Their first release, Kandote, was a bold intercultural collaboration with the Barefoot Truth Children’s Choir in Uganda, a not-for-profit effort that continues to support the choir to this day.

Relocating to Chicago in 2013, the duo honed their songwriting craft while releasing two more self-produced EPs, laying the groundwork for their breakthrough debut full-length, Fluke, in 2016. This immersive, philosophically rich album set them off on their first national tour, which included support dates with Darlingside, Anaïs Mitchell, and The Ballroom Thieves.

A remote band since 2017, the duo’s DIY ethos has remained strong since Fluke. Still self-managing and producing, the duo has released two more EPs, Silver & Gold (2019) and Sunnyside (2021)–the latter under their new label, Two-Dale Records–as well as a number of singles.

Safe In Sound is available for streaming on all platforms and for purchase at Bandcamp and on their website. The band has announced a run of tour dates to celebrate the album’s release, listed below. Be sure to follow them at the links below for the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES:

3/29 - Cambridge, MA @  Club Passim

3/30 - New York City, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall

4/2 - Alexandria, VA @ Sevareid House

5/3 - Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark ^

5/4 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Midtown ^

5/5 - South Bend, IN @ First Unitarian Church ^

5/6 - Jackson, MI @ Jackson Symphony Orchestra ^

5/7 - Wakeman, OH @ Riverdog ^

^ w/ violinist Katie Van Dusen

CONNECT WITH FRANCES LUKE ACCORD:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

MARK ERELLI RELEASES NEW LP LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN VIA SOUNDLY MUSIC

NEW TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

"...an excellent offering by any measure, informed as always by the intelligence, instincts, and emotions that have served him so well in the past. For those familiar with his previous offerings, that won’t come as any surprise. But for those that have yet to acquaint themselves with his work, it’s an excellent place to begin." - American Songwriter 

“Losing his vision has opened Mark Erelli’s eyes” - The Boston Globe 

"With his warm, Tom Petty-inflected voice and honest songwriting, Erelli navigates this tricky new terrain with graceful contemplation and resilience." - No Depression

"...an introspective collection of narrative poems. It’s clear that Erelli put his heart into this album…While it may have been emotionally purgative for him, it could easily be an emotional balm for the listener to hear the messages contained in these songs." - Americana Highways

“…one of the best showcases of Erelli’s impressive range as a singer.” - Glide Magazine

"...a musical exploration about finding hope and optimism in the midst of despair." - Twangville

"Epic" - Americana-UK

“Equal parts rootsy Americana and old-school rock, it’s a record loaded with raw emotion and steadfast truthfulness." - Lonesome Highway

"Bristling with energy and authenticity…brimming with good will and good intentions despite dealing with some [of] the bleakest news he could possibly receive. His ability to transform those moments into something positive goes to the heart of an artist who knows that challenges create opportunities." - For Folk’s Sake

"Stirring" - Ghettoblaster Magazine

“With his soulful voice and provocative lyrics, Erelli balances the grittiness of rock music with the tenderness of folk and Americana.”  - Music Mecca

“…Erelli uses his considerable talent to create a tightly integrated project that could be considered a musical suite…exploring different aspects of his acceptance and healing processes.” - Wild Mercury Rhythm

LISTEN: LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Mark Erelli has released his new album, Lay Your Darkness Down, today via Soundly Music. Erelli created the powerful LP in the wake of being diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (“RP”) – a devastating, degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness.

Unmoored, he was compelled to make music, but going to a lowly-lit recording studio was not a safe option anymore. “Erelli has been at it for more than 25 years, but Lay Your Darkness Down represents a significant shift in how he makes a record,” said No Depression in a recent interview. “When he realized RP would undoubtedly affect the usual recording process – putting him in an unfamiliar space with lots of knobs and expensive gear – he reevaluated.” Instead, he began to experiment with a recording style inspired by ELO’s Jeff Lynne, who produced artists like Paul McCartney, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, mapping each instrument’s part and then recording them individually.

Eventually, he began to focus more on the emotional impact of what the songs were trying to tell him: Use adversity to fuel hope and creativity. Hold on to a child-like sense of wonder. Focus on the present moment before it flies by unwitnessed. Acknowledge and move past the fear of the toll RP might take on his roles as a husband and father.

Anxious and agitated when thinking of his impending loss of independence, Erelli recalled a conversation with Joe Henry, the famously philosophical singer-songwriter/record producer who told him that an artist’s job is not to avoid but rather to delve into the darkness - and, with this album, that is what he has done. Now, he's on a mission to increase awareness about  RP and blindness, and to relay how important music is in processing and healing trauma.

The tracks, though decorated with references to shadows, light, and obscured vision, are about resilience, love, and the human condition - a message of hope. “In an era where pessimism seems to prevail, it’s a reminder that optimism is still worth preserving and ought not be forsaken even if it sometimes seems as if there’s no reason left to persevere,” commented American Songwriter. “With Lay Your Darkness Down, Erelli shines a light on precepts and possibilities well worth considering. In so doing, he’s made an album that shores up the strength that’s needed to be sustained.”

WATCH: “YOU”

WATCH: “YOU’RE GONNA WANNA REMEMBER THIS 

Lay Your Darkness Down is a reconciliation of life’s trials and human frailties, adversity transformed into finely-embroidered rock n’ roll, burning with urgency. “These aren’t songs about blindness. They’re songs I could only write once I realized what I was losing,” Erelli explained to The Boston Globe. “My impending blindness opened my eyes, and I was able to write from that new viewpoint.”

The album is more than a collection of affirmations and optimism in the face of despair; it is a clarion call for anyone lost in the shadows. Yet Erelli doesn’t proclaim any easy answers for how to navigate the unknown. Instead, he squarely examines question after question, reveling in mysteries both great and small. He reminds us in the title track that our deepest challenges are more than a simple test of our endurance—they ultimately help us chart our course.

“In some strange way, my disease has provided me with the chance to truly live what I sing. Sharing my diagnosis is my way of laying down my own darkness,” he says. “By making my private struggles public, maybe it helps others to see that we all have a choice. We can be overwhelmed by the shadows, or use them to show where the light is coming from. As for me, no matter what happens, I’ll forever be looking for the light.”

Lay Your Darkness Down is available to stream and download  HERE, and CDs and vinyl are available to purchase HERE. Erelli will celebrate the release with a series of tour dates, see below for a full list of shows. Be sure to follow Mark Erelli at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES

3/2 - Flying Goose Brew Pub - New London, NH

3/3 - The Music Hall Lounge - Portsmouth, NH

3/4 - Burnham Hall - Lincoln, VT

3/5 - Caffè Lena - Saratoga Springs, NY

3/8 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI

3/9 - The Bur Oak -Madison, WI

3/10 - CSPS Hall - Cedar Rapids, IA

3/11 - Stone Arch Brewpub - Appleton, WI

3/23 - Jamestown Arts Center - Jamestown, RI*

3/24 - Crystal Ballroom - Somerville, MA*

3/25 - The Parlor Room - Northampton, MA*

3/31 - Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) - NY, NY*

4/1 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA*

4/2 - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA^

* with support from Jobi Riccio

^ co-bill with Elizabeth & the Catapult

CONNECT WITH MARK ERELLI:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

ALICE HOWE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM RECORDED IN MUSCLE SHOALS AT FAME STUDIOS + CIRCUMSTANCE LP SET FOR RELEASE APRIL 21

Photo credit: Jim Shea

WATCH THE CIRCUMSTANCE LP TRAILER

Los Angeles-based artist Alice Howe has announced her forthcoming LP, Circumstance, set for release on April 21st. Circumstance follows her 2019 debut, Visions, and an earlier EP, You’ve Been Away So Long – both of which led to her being dubbed a rising star in the folk world. Now, she has built on that success, expanding her horizons and continuing along the path that began long ago in her Newton, Massachusetts hometown, absorbing her parents’ eclectic record collection.

Produced and arranged by her creative partner, Freebo, a veteran bass player and former Bonnie Raitt band member, Circumstance presents a powerful, poetic collection of heartfelt expression – Howe’s answer to the call that keeps whispering in her ear. The singer-songwriter/guitarist displays her vocal prowess and introspective writing in abundance, mining both her heart and her musical tastes for a deep, personal journey across an Americana soundscape dotted with blues, folk, country, soul, and rock.

Recorded in two sessions at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where Etta James and Wilson Pickett once shook the walls, the record channels their spirits with 11 stirring tracks that pull no punches diving into the vagaries of the heart and her own personal journey. As an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, Howe puts her stamp on Americana’s venerable strands with 10 standout originals evoking both the classic singer-songwriters and the seminal music that once filled airwaves, roadhouses, and juke joints.

“I was just trying to be myself. That’s all it is,” she says. “It’s not trying to be a throwback. It’s not trying to be anything other than ‘This is who I am as an artist, as a singer, and a writer,’ and that’s what you get.”

As a reflection of her evolution, Circumstance turned out to be everything she hoped for – a personal, soulful nod to her influences and the music she loves, all of it sung old-school without auto-tuning. In spirit, it draws from admired singers – Alison Krauss or the 1970s Laurel Canyon circle — but its soul is pure Alice Howe.

Be sure to follow Alice Howe at the links below for all the latest updates – new music coming soon!

Circumstance Track List

You’ve Been Away So Long

Somebody’s New Lover Now

Let Go

Love Has No Rules

Things I’m Not Saying

What About You

Something Calls To Me

With You By My Side

Line By Line

Traveling Soul

It’s How You Hold Me 

CONNECT WITH ALICE HOWE:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK |  SPOTIFY

OUT TODAY: THE STONE FOXES’ NEW LP ON THE OTHER SIDE + ALBUM RELEASE SHOW & FOOD DRIVE TONIGHT AT GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL

"..it has that certain bluesy swagger the band has perfected over the last two decades" - Loudwire 

“...hard-driving blues-rock” - San Francisco Chronicle 

“With a sound that strays somewhere between The Black Crowes, Jack White, and The Struts, The Stone Foxes have crafted a blistering new song that hits all the right chords.” - Chorus.fm 

“...they make a glorious, addictive noise that will set both your brain and body in motion.” -  Rock & Blues Muse 

“...rings all the modern rock alarms—you know, Jack White, The Struts, and Black Crowes—which makes it a piece of local music for which you should most definitely be checking." - 48 Hills 

"On The Other Side builds perfectly on the foundation laid out on their four previous efforts, finding the band more confident than ever and expanding their sound slightly without losing any of the momentum they’ve created over the past 15 years." - Glide Magazine 

“...blues-rock revival vibes, like the Black Keys but richer and swampier." - RIFF Magazine 

"...sticky-fuzz electric guitar riffs and infectious lyrical hooks" - East of 8th 

“...they’ve carved out a vibe that’s all their own." - Mendowerks Magazine

LISTEN: ON THE OTHER SIDE 

Today, San Francisco-based rock outfit The Stone Foxes have released their blistering new LP, On The Other Side. “My brother and I created this album to be a cinematic western rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack to accompany you when the journey gets rough,” says Shannon Koehler, who co-founded the band with his brother, Spence. “We’re all trying to get through our own things in a big beautiful broken world, trying to reach greener grass, while holding on to the people we love.”

The band, known for their bone-shaking blues-infused rock, expanded their sonic horizons with On The Other Side, adding a cinematic horn section to their signature style. “Spence and I both grew up loving western movies and soundtracks, especially the stuff by Ennio Morricone, with the horses and spurs and all that beautiful noise,” Shannon recalls. “The goal was to marry those western sounds with our first love of rock ‘n’ roll, but do it with simpler and tighter grooves. Like if Ennio Morricone and T. Rex had a more modern-looking baby, that was the mindset.”

Though recorded in various locations - The Complex in San Francisco, New & Improved Recording, and in bedrooms and living rooms across the Bay Area - On The Other Side is a seamless blend of searing riffs, thundering beats, and dramatic horns.

On The Other Side reflects the brothers’ struggles with anxiety, being grounded by love, and the experience of living in a deeply disturbing America. Themes of heartbreak are also present – in the figurative and literal sense. In the summer of 2020, Shannon, who suffers from congenital heart issues, had to undergo his second open-heart surgery (and his 14th heart-related surgery). Their song “Help Me Now” was written about the experience; the album’s art depicts the outline of a man with a scar running down his chest, a painting done by a family friend inspired by a post-surgery photo of Shannon.

Lead single “Man’s Red Fire,” named after a lyric from The Jungle Book's “I Want To Be Like You,” is about being surrounded by the seemingly ever-present California wildfires, as well as the raging fire of pervasive racism in the United States. The band also released “Time Is A Killer,” a song about climate change that characterizes Mother Nature as a stone-cold killer. The music video depicts Time as a blindfolded, sword-wielding, femme fatale.

WATCH: “TIME IS A KILLER”

On The Other Side is the first full-length album recorded by Shannon (lead vocals, drums, harmonica,  producer) and Spence (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, pedal steel, bass, producer) in over six years.  It's also an album of many firsts. "It’s the first time Spence and I have been the main songwriters on every track of a release," says Shannon. "It’s the first time I’ve sung lead vocals on every track of a release. It’s the first time I’ve ever written songs on piano that turned into actual songs on an album. It’s the first time Spence has been the main bass player on a full album."

The Stone Foxes will celebrate the album’s release with a show at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall on Friday, November 18th. Click HERE for show information. In keeping with the band’s hunger-fighting initiative, The Goodnight Moon Project, attendees can bring a healthy, non-perishable food item to the show and receive a free piece of merch in return. The food collected will be donated to the SF-Marin Food Bank. Be sure to follow The Stone Foxes via the links below for the latest news and updates.

ON THE OTHER SIDE TRACK LIST 

MAN’S RED FIRE

TIME IS A KILLER

FADED (BYE BYE BABY)

HELP ME NOW

ON THE OTHER SIDE

NORAH JONES

HOLE IN THE GROUND

SAY MY NAME

ON THE VINE

PERFECT FOR ME 

CONNECT WITH THE STONE FOXES:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

MELISSA CARPER’S NEW LP RAMBLIN’ SOUL OUT TODAY VIA MAE MUSIC/THIRTY TIGERS

“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:  

WEBSITE || FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM || BANDCAMP || YOUTUBE || SPOTIFY  

OUT TODAY: BUFFALO ROSE RELEASES NEW LP AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN VIA MISRA RECORDS

LISTEN: AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN 

Today, Pittsburgh-based, award-winning, acoustic collective Buffalo Rose has released their new LP Again, Again, Again via Misra Records. The band chose the perfect name for this, their second full-length album, as listeners will have its 11 sparkling gems on repeat.

Pure, crystalline vocal harmonies soar stratospherically through the album, cascading over sparkling beds of mandolin, guitar, dobro, and bass. Vocalists Lucy Clabby, Margot Jezerc, and Shane McLaughlin dwell in the notes in these songs, turning them in and out and capturing every nuance of phrasing. From gently swirling ballads like “Reason and Passion,” the ethereally soaring “Hallelujah Anyway,” and the Beatles-esque “Escape Artist,” to the operatic and stunningly gorgeous “New World” the tracks on Again, Again, Again reverberate in hearts and souls long after the last notes fade.

The album explores the lows of late-night loneliness, offers satirical takes on 21st-century culture and politics, and poignantly explores the wonders and pitfalls of love in the modern world. Each track brims with beauty in its harmonic blend of voices and strings.

WATCH: “MACHINE MAN”

Buffalo Rose takes the singer-songwriter tradition to a new level with their emotive, unique, and meticulously arranged songs inspired by a world of distinctive influences that never let a dull or predictable moment creep in.

The members push themselves and each other far beyond their perceived limits, blending their atypical approach to songwriting with the desire to expand their sonic boundaries while making each song feel like home. They use powerful vocal harmonies, strong playing, and an original vision to operate at every possible emotional level, delivering dynamic live shows that are unforgettable experiences.

This combination of artistry and enthusiasm makes Buffalo Rose one of the most vital and important groups working today. The band gleefully combines genres and ideas together to move acoustic music forward to a new, contemporary place without ever losing sight of its roots. Fans of Lake Street Dive, Nickel Creek, and even Fleetwood Mac will find much to like in this crew.

Be sure to follow Buffalo Rose at the links below for the latest news and updates.

TOUR DATES

11/18 - Thunderbird Music Hall - Pittsburgh, PA [ALBUM RELEASE SHOW]

1/19 - The Tin Pan - Richmond, VA

1/20 - The Sipe Center - Bridgewater, VA

1/21 - Voices Cafe - Westport, CT

2/1-2/5 - Folk Alliance International - Kansas City, MO

2/11 - Flat Iron Crossroads - Virginia Beach, VA

2/15 - Austin Acoustical Cafe - Austin, TX

4/23 - Square In The Circle - Alexandria, VA

CONNECT WITH BUFFALO ROSE:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

SOUTH AFRICAN ROCKER STEVE LOUW RELEASES NEW ALBUM THUNDER AND RAIN

FEATURING JOE BONAMASSA, AND DOUG LANCIO PRODUCED BY KEVIN SHIRLEY

“I'll Be Back”

VIDEO |

Thunder And Rain Album

ALBUM STREAM/PURCHASE

Cape Town, South Africa - Today, sees the release of Steve Louw’s latest album, Thunder and Rain and the video for, “I’ll Be Back”, the third single lifted from this powerful 10-track, Kevin Shirley-produced album.

The interplay on Thunder and Rain is often subtle, yet it’s undeniably soulful, the songs benefiting from the easy turns of phrases and chord changes. Steve conveys these emotions through strength on “I’ll Be Back”, a song where acoustic guitars give the track a steady, windblown propulsion, one that muscles through on the chorus – he’s a man on a mission, one dedicated to the task at hand.

As with 2021’s Headlight Dreams album, 2022’s Thunder and Rain, besides Steve and Joe, is flush with talent. From Greg Morrow on drums, Rob McNelley on guitar and Slide Dobro, Doug Lancio on guitar and mandolin, Kenny Greenburg on guitar, Alison Prestwood on bass guitar and Kevin McKendree on keyboards, amongst others, Thunder and Rain is as impressive in lyrics and compositions as it is in heavyweight genii, all adding multiple layers of arresting accompaniment.

ABOUT STEVE LOUW: South African musician Steve Louw’s career began with his first band All Night Radio who released two records including 1986's The Killing Floor, the album where he first collaborated with Kevin Shirley. Louw came to stardom as the leader of Big Sky, a group who put out their first album, Waiting for the Dawn, in 1990. During their time together, Big Sky released five albums, a discography highlighted by 1995's acclaimed Horizon. The band earned accolades from the industry, including winning the FNB Music Award for Best SA Rock Act in 1996. At the end of their run as a band, Big Sky was the opening act for Rodriguez on his valedictory tour of South Africa, a journey captured in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man. The tour raised Louw's international profile, leading to his collaboration with Queen's Brian May and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart on "Amandla," a song on 2003's Nelson Mandela-inspired AIDS awareness project 46664.

Following the release of Big Sky’s Trancas Canyon in 2008, Louw retreated from the spotlight. He broke his silence with his solo debut Headlight Dreams, a rousing comeback delivered in 2021. Thunder and Rain, his sophomore release, will be available November 11, 2022.

KEEP UP WITH STEVE LOUW

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

GLEN PHILLIPS’ NEW ALBUM THERE IS SO MUCH HERE AVAILABLE TODAY ON COMPASS RECORDS

“A THOUGHTFUL, TUNEFUL COLLECTION OF CONTEMPLATIONS ON LIFE’S SIMPLE CHARMS” – ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo Credit: Chris Orwig

There Is So Much Here

STREAM | BUY

SANTA BARBARA, CA – November 4, 2022 – Today, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket) releases his fifth solo album There Is So Much Here on Compass Records.

In the six years since his last solo album Swallowed by the New (2016), Phillips has navigated grief in his post-divorce outing to finding love again reflected on There Is So Much Here. This new collection of songs documents a shift of perspective from dealing with loss to an appreciation of life. 

“The son of a physicist, Glen Phillips has always been a cerebral singer-songwriter, and his new solo album is a thoughtful, tuneful collection of contemplations on life’s simple charms. There Is So Much Here considers the pleasure derived from a glass of water, the value of being OK with being just OK, and the elusive sweet spot between the past and future…While the album’s title sounds like a celebration, Phillips acknowledges how elusive contentment can be. “A new day is here,” he sings, somehow sounding wary. Smart guy.” - Associated Press

“...with his new LP, There Is So Much Here, Phillips takes the time to look for glimmers of hope, gratitude, and grace. These messages are delivered over the course of 11 thoughtful sparse ballads and heartland rockers. The up-tempo lead single “Big Changes” serves as a mission statement of sorts for the entire album, using the chorus to loosely address seeking a reprieve from the chaos of the current sociopolitical climate and an impassioned verse…” - No Depression

“...a reflective and rocking fruit of pandemic labor called There is So Much Here… the feel of an appreciation of life as it unfolds, in and out of catastrophic and affirmative events and emotional states, as conveyed on the Rufus Wainwright-esque pop ballad ‘Call the Moondust.’” - Santa Barbara Independent

“Phillips has pared his music down to its emotional core, concentrating on the simple truths of love and relationships, with a profound spiritual understanding.” -KPCW

Phillips is currently on tour in support of There Is So Much Here through the end of the year and into 2023. Confirmed dates below.

ABOUT GLEN PHILLIPS: During his years as lead singer and main songwriter of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Glen Phillips helped to create the band’s elegant folk/pop sound with honest, introspective lyrics that forged a close bond with their fans. When Toad went on hiatus, he launched a solo career with Abulum, and stayed busy collaborating with other artists on various projects including Mutual Admiration Society, with members of Nickel Creek and Remote Tree Children, an experimental outing with John Morgan Askew.

U.S. TOUR DATES

NOV 4 / NOVATO, CA @ Hopmonk Tavern

NOV 5 / SALT LAKE CITY, UT @ The State Room

NOV 6 / PORTLAND, OR @ The Old Church

NOV 8 / SPOKANE, WA @ Lucky You Lounge

NOV 9 / SEATTLE, WA @ Triple Door

NOV 10 / DENVER, CO @ Soiled Dove Underground

NOV  13 / CHESTERFIELD, MO @ Forest Hills Country Club

NOV 15 / MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ Icehouse

NOV 16 / MILWAUKEE, WI @ Colectivo Coffee on Prospect

NOV 17 / CHICAGO, IL @ City Winery Chicago

NOV 18 / ANN ARBOR, MI @ The Ark

NOV 20 / GRAND RAPIDS, MI @ The Listening Room

DEC 7 / VENICE, CA @ The Venice West

JAN 12 / NASHVILLE, TN @ City Winery

JAN 13 / DECATUR, GA @ Eddie’s Attic

JAN 14-15 / SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL @ 30A Songwriters Festival

JAN 21 / BOSTON, MA @ City Winery

More Dates TBA…

KEEP UP WITH GLEN PHILLIPS

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube |

OUT TODAY: CHAYLA HOPE’S DEBUT SOLO LP DAMN, FEELINGS LISTENING PARTY & BEER LAUNCH ON OCTOBER 29

"...perfect for fans of Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa" - Chorus.fm

"Pop-perfect" - Notion

"...a journey of love, intoxicating highs and heartbreaking lows" - Cleveland Magazine

"It’s right there in her name: Chayla Hope is all about hope" - INTO

"Hope’s vocals are impressive showing early restraint but knowing exactly when to let it go...an intriguing allure with a touch of Lady Gaga subversiveness." - Instinct Magazine

"...big, passionate voice and charismatic presence" - Cool Cleveland

"We can’t get over how much we love Chayla’s voice." - The Honey Pop

"...a triumphant funk pop tribute to the New Jack Swing era" - Music Is My Life

"Let’s face it: there are a lot of tepid vocalists today who hide behind studio gimmicks. But that’s not the case with Chayla Hope, whose voice has incredible power and precision at the same time." - Two Story Melody

"...this work of art will definitely be one that hits the hearts of many pop lovers. With the right amount of attitude and nice melodic hooks, it's an instant hit" - POPMUZIK

"[Chayla Hope] lets her inner star absolutely glow" - Death or Desire

LISTEN: DAMN, FEELINGS 

Today, vinyl-presser-turned-pop star Chayla Hope has digitally released her solo debut Damn, Feelings. After years spent fronting rock bands in her hometown of Cleveland, Hope reinvented herself within the classic dance-pop sounds that raised her while performing as a female drag queen. Her powerful voice provides an indelible sonic throughline exploring heartbreak, infatuation, loss, and the feelings that make us human.

"In the nearly nine months I spent recording Damn, Feelings, I remember coming to the realization while writing ‘Dancing While I Cry’ that I was writing a record for my younger self," Hope says. "There are a lot of references to the '80s and '90s because pop was always a safe haven for me growing up; a place where I could unabashedly be myself. I want fans to have that same experience listening to the album. I poured all of my love, pain, and heartbreak into these songs because they're what I needed to hear in order to continue to heal,” she continues. “I hope others can too."

Tracked at Suma Recording with Michael Seifert in the producer’s chair, the album’s 11 songs were brought to life by mix work from Josh Gudwin and Andrew Wuepper. The tracks also feature string arrangements and performances from Eric Gorfain and his group The Section Quartet, tracked at Sunset Sound. Hope also released cinematic music videos for several of the album’s singles:

WATCH: “ALONE”

WATCH: “LONG WAY” 

WATCH: “FALLING”  

WATCH: “LOVE IN LO-FI”   

Hope has been uniquely involved at every step, returning to her former employer Gotta Groove Records to press the vinyl herself alongside Wax Mage Records. Damn, Feelings is a showcase of impressive range and infectious spirit from pop’s next great vocalist, songwriter, and record-maker.

Recently, she announced a collaboration with Saucy Brew Works to create a beer to commemorate her album release, aptly named Damn, Feelings. The brew is a super-fruited Imperial Hazy IPA with pink guava, apricot, and blood orange. At  8% ABV, it is sure to have tasters “in their feelings.”

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s no surprise Chayla was selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic and has numerous features in the show’s soundtrack and merchandise, embodying its core themes of empowerment, inclusion, and self-understanding through her music.

Hope will host a listening party and officially launch her beer at Saucy Brew Works’ Ohio City Brewpub on October 29th. Click HERE for more information.  Be sure to follow Chayla Hope at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

DAMN, FEELINGS TRACK LIST

LOVE IN LO-FI

FALLING

CIRCLES

LONG WAY

FORGET ME NOT

SLEEPWALKING

HIGH

ALONE

TEAR MY HEART OUT

DANCING WHILE I CRY

DON’T FADE

CONNECT WITH CHAYLA HOPE:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | TWITTER | SPOTIFY

LOS ANGELES’ ELECTRIC LECTURE “CONJURES UP THE CLASSIC ‘90S INDIE ROCK VIBES” (-Ghettoblaster) ON STUNNING SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM

“Steeped in classic Rock and combining a wealth of musical interests and influences, Electric Lecture also tends to songwrite and record in a very “open” way, sharing ideas and allow sound directions to suggest themselves.” - Wildfire Music
“It’s indie-rock music with a dash of power pop. The track is upbeat and will inject you with a dose of positivity.” - Aipate
“The energy oozes into your heart in a stream of beautiful, melodic patterns and the sound of the guitars is already so close, you can almost feel the breath of the strings near you." - Nagamag

LISTEN TO Electric Lecture : HERE

Today Los Angeles group Electric Lecture unleashed their stunning self-titled debut album. A tour-de-force in songwriting and production, Electric Lecture bridges an impressive and equally expansive range of influences and approaches. Whether it be catchy power-pop (“What If?), evocative alternative rock (“Losing My Mind”), charming indie pop (“Back In The Fight”), emotionally resonant singer-songwriter sonics (“A Winner”), or even a genre-bending reinterpretations of celebrated classics (a cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law”) , the trio of Greg Ansin, Bronson Taalbi, and Anthony J. Resta showcase their mastery for crafting crisp earworms and catchy commentary to soundtrack the absurdity of modern life. There is a unique humor injected across Electric Lecture that is perfectly balanced with the nuanced emotional depth on display across these songs, all evidencing the band’s shotgun approach to writing and producing music.

What sets Electric Lecture apart is their unyielding dedication and interest in the songwriting and production process. The band approaches genre like a painter approaches the blank canvas, with a palette of different colors and seemingly different materials. While the songs across Electric Lecture may have started at different places, musically and emotionally, the tightness in their songwriting ties these songs together like a crisply-woven tapestry that tells a larger story. 

“I grew up listening to the Beatles, Tom Petty, the Beach Boys, especially Pet Sounds,” says Resta when asked about his influences. “I love adventurous sonic innovators like Beck and Bjork. I feel like Electric Lecture is a wonderful vehicle for me to express myself in the purest musical way I can. It's all a dream really.” The group wears their influences on their sleeves, with additional groups and artists like XTC, Bjork, Cake,  Jaco Pastorious, Pink Floyd, The Clash and more seeping their way into the group’s musical identity.

The diverse backgrounds of the three musicians are the key ingredient in what gives Electric Lecture its unique flavor. Resta is a multi-instrumental musician having earned twelve RIAA certified gold and multi-platinum awards for bands such as Duran Duran, Collective Soul, and Shawn Mullins. Ansin is a prolific songwriter and film producer, having produced numerous  documentaries and horror films including  Drive-In Horrorshow and Infinite Santa 8000. Bronson is a multi-instrumentalist and master guitarist who, along with his brother Preston, have written and produced music that has been featured in shows such as Breaking Bad and Dancing with the Stars. In all, Electric Lecture is a trio of songwriting mercenaries with genre in their crosshairs. No approach is off limits, every idea is worth exploring.

“All I need is music, feel my pain and soothe it / Three notes put together, touch my soul forever,” sings Taalbi on the gorgeous heartfelt cut “All I Need.” A succinct through line that defines Electric Lecture as an album, and Electric Lecture as a group.

Each member of the group trades instruments from song to song. Bronson handles the lead vocals while Anthony and Greg lend their stunning harmonies as support. Recorded at their practice space in Lawndale and Laurel Canyon where there is always music in the air, Electric Lecture is truly a DIY-effort, without sacrificing any hi-fi sonics. 
The band’s collective interest in the songwriting and production process is the key fiber of the group’s podcast, The Story of A Song, where the group chronicles the journey their songs take as they carry them across the finish line. In all, the group’s dedication to their craft stands at center-stage, and will surely guide them throughout their follow up to this impressive debut album.

TRACKLISTING

1. Losing My Mind

2. What If?

3. All I Need

4. Instantly

5. Reverse Evolution

6. A Winner

7. Street Caviar

8. Beam Me Up

9. Three Cheers

10. Back In The Fight

11. Breaking the Law

12. Electric Lecture

KEEP UP WITH ELECTRIC LECTURE

PRESS MATERIALS

Website || Facebook || Instagram || YouTube 

MARK ERELLI ANNOUNCES NEW LP VIA THE BOSTON GLOBE LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN OUT FEBRUARY 3 VIA SOUNDLY MUSIC

LEAD SINGLE & VIDEO “YOU’RE GONNA WANNA REMEMBER THIS”  OUT TODAY

Photo credit: Joe Navas

LISTEN // WATCH: “YOU’RE GONNA WANNA REMEMBER THIS”

Today, beloved Boston-area singer-songwriter Mark Erelli has released “You’re Gonna Wanna Remember This,” the lead single and video from his forthcoming LP, Lay Your Darkness Down, due out on February 3rd via Soundly Music. Erelli co-wrote the epic track with his “musical big sister,” GRAMMY-winning artist Lori McKenna.

In the summer of 2020, Erelli was performing an outdoor show in New Hampshire when something strange happened. “I looked down and couldn’t see my fingers on the guitar,” he told The Boston Globe. “I’m literally about to go into the downbeat for the solo, and, as you can imagine, it didn’t go great. It was embarrassing. I came offstage thinking, ‘Note to self: Check the lighting next time.’” Later, when driving home one night through a Boston tunnel, he lost sight of the road. After a trip to the ophthalmologist, Erelli was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa ("RP"), a degenerative eye disease that causes progressive loss of night and peripheral vision, and can lead to complete blindness.

After his terrifying diagnosis, he began to wonder - Does diminished eyesight decrease one’s insight? What does it mean to be ‘fully seen,’ by oneself and by others? These questions, along with his drive to regain his creative agency, are at the heart of Lay Your Darkness Down. The video for “You’re Gonna Wanna Remember This” features footage of Erelli’'s family, and his beloved pup Leo, whom he adopted during the pandemic. He and Leo traverse the verdant countryside--the video's edges blurred at times to mimic his vision--acknowledging life’s struggles, but taking stock of the beauty of even the simplest of things.

The tracks, though decorated with references to shadows, light, and obscured vision, are about resilience, love, and the human condition. The album is more than a collection of affirmations and optimism in the face of despair; it is a clarion call for anyone lost in the shadows. Yet Erelli doesn’t proclaim any easy answers for how to navigate the unknown. Instead, he squarely examines question after question, reveling in mysteries both great and small. With equal parts hope and resignation, he reminds us in the title track that our deepest challenges are more than a simple test of our endurance—they ultimately help us chart our course.

Lay Your Darkness Down is a reconciliation of life’s trials and human frailties, adversity transformed into finely-embroidered rock n’ roll, burning with urgency. “These aren’t songs about blindness. They’re songs I could only write once I realized what I was losing,” Erelli explained to The Boston Globe. “My impending blindness opened my eyes, and I was able to write from that new viewpoint.”

The album is available for pre-order HERE. Be sure to follow Mark Erelli at the links below for all the latest news and updates.

LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN TRACK LIST

BREAK IN THE CLOUDS

FUEL FOR THE FIRE

YOU’RE GONNA WANNA REMEMBER THIS

UP AGAINST THE NIGHT

YOU

THE MAN I AM

SENSE OF WONDER

IS IT ENOUGH

LAY YOUR DARKNESS DOWN

LOVE WINS IN THE LONG RUN 

CONNECT WITH MARK ERELLI:

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

OUT TODAY: MARYANNA DEVLIN’S DEBUT LP A GREAT MANY THINGS

“...both mysterious and uplifting…Devlin brings both a sense of defiance and vulnerability” - The Boot 

“...a hauntingly beautiful indie record” - Milford Daily News 

"Maryanna’s ability to create a haunting sound that slow burns into your ears easily makes her one of our favorite artists right now." - GRRRL Music 

"The vocals have a Stevie Nicks-inspired delivery that adds grit to the ethereal backdrop and soft fingerpicking" - Glide Magazine 

"Devlin’s tender voice is a beautiful blend of ease and conviction, one that calls to mind artists like Cat Power and Sharon Van Etten." - East of 8th 

"The production layers on a richness that emphasizes Devlin’s lush vocals...this is a very personal record." - Twangville 

"A beautiful voice" - Music For The Misfits 

"...stunning" - Music Is My Life 

"...gorgeously lush" - If It's Too Loud

LISTEN: A GREAT MANY THINGS

Today, Boston-raised, Germany-based singer-songwriter Maryanna Devlin has released her debut LP, A Great Many Things. “The title comes from the book Little Women,” Devlin explains. I grew up in Massachusetts, which is where the author, Louisa May Alcott, was from, and the house where she grew up, Orchard House, is a museum in Concord. I went there often as a kid, and I watched the movie on repeat. My family always compared me with Jo…I marched to the beat of my own drum, and never wanted to do conventional things,” she continues.

In Little Women, the character Jacob Mayer, after making a point about female voting rights, says, “You should have been a lawyer Ms. March,” and Jo says, “I should have been a great many things.” “As I got older, I, like we all do, began to regret sometimes the steps I didn't take, and chances I missed out on,” says Devlin. “I realized I wanted to do so many things, and be so many things, but I didn't have the confidence, or time, or money, or just the ability. We are only human, and can only do so much. So I started to use my songs as a means to act out all of the things I wanted to do,” she continues. “I have all possibilities at my fingertips through songwriting, and that brings me peace, and that's how I can be, and do a great many things.” 

Devlin drew inspiration for some of the album’s tracks from several of her other literary heroes; “Timeline” is based on how Kurt Vonnegut explains the idea of time in his masterpiece, Slaughterhouse-Five–that time is actually linear, and the past present and future all exist as one. This idea became a broader theme throughout the album. Devlin uses the songs as means of time travel, going wherever she wants in her own life’s history to become “unstuck in time” like the main character of Slaughterhouse-Five, Billy Pilgrim. 

WATCH: “GARY INDIANA”

For Devlin, music is both an outlet for trauma and an excuse to share our best stories. As a performer, her lush vocals and raw energy have drawn comparisons to both Lana Del Rey and Sharon van Etten, while her unique arrangements and introspective lyrics are informed by a background in theater and a deep love of literature. A Great Many Things showcases stunning breadth and originality in eight nuanced anthems.

“I’m fascinated by how art can transcend time and space to connect people, to make them feel less alone,” Devlin, who began songwriting as a way to process childhood grief, reveals. The devastating loss of her brother, who passed away when she was fourteen, led her to pursue music nearly a decade later. Inspired by Brandi Carlile, she borrowed a guitar and taught herself to play using a pamphlet of chords from her mother. She found singer-songwriter Josh Ritter a few years later, whose idiosyncratic style inspired her to continue creating music in her own, unique way.

After college, Devlin wrote, self-produced, and released three solo EPs, honing her vocal tone and unique brand of storytelling through the influence of artists like Simon and Garfunkel, Hiss Golden Messenger, Josh Ritter, and Stevie Nicks. Her early forays into songwriting soon led to performances across the East Coast and Europe, sharing the stage with acts like Darlingside and Becca Mancari. She met her partner in Nashville in 2013, and the pair eventually relocated to Frankfurt, Germany in 2017. 

In A Great Many Things, Devlin presents a richly textured, more expansive version of her signature organic, acoustic sound. Many of the tracks on this refined and sharply reflective indie-Americana collection feature a full band backing her distinctly smooth vocals. The tracks, all written and composed by Devlin, are steeped in family and personal history, with lyrical themes exploring large temporal concepts like lineage, memory as a means of time travel, and the movement of time itself. Throughout the album, Devlin considers how we are connected and disconnected by its passing. From cover to cover, A Great Many Things contains an authentic variety of deeply human feelings, and spans an equally broad emotional spectrum, with moments of somber introspection in the vein of Elliot Smith and Townes Van Zandt juxtaposed with passages of bright and graceful ease.

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SOUTH AFRICAN ROCKER STEVE LOUW ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM THUNDER AND RAIN AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 11

PRODUCED BY KEVIN SHIRLEY FEATURING JOE BONAMASSA AND DOUG LANCIO

Photo Credit: Jacqui van Staden

“Thunder and Rain” single

VIDEO | LISTEN

ALBUM PRE-SAVE

NEW YORK, NY - Veteran South African rocker Steve Louw announces his sophomore solo release Thunder and Rain, available November 11, 2022 through BFD / The Orchard, with the release of the first single and title track today. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley (John Hiatt, Robert Cray Band, the Black Crowes) and features contributions from guitar wizards Joe Bonamassa, and Doug Lancio.

Thunder and Rain follows hot on the heels of Headlight Dreams the 2021 album that found Steve Louw returning to active duty after a thirteen-year absence. After this prolonged period away from the spotlight, Louw discovered an audience who was eager to hear new music from the singer/songwriter: Headlight Dreams received strong reviews and earned a nomination for Best Rock Album from the South African Music Awards in 2022. 

On the album's opening title track, “Thunder and Rain,” it's possible to hear and feel bad weather creep in over the horizon. “The world is navigating through a fraught time, economically and politically,” explains Louw. “The geography of where I was coming from crept into the music; fire, wind and rain.” Those elements also creep into the video created by Jacqui van Staden.

While it’s an ominous beginning to the album, waiting for light to emerge after darkness is a thematic undercurrent on Thunder and Rain, a record where Louw balances these opposing impulses with strength and compassion. He may open the record with a sense of foreboding—a feeling that resonates strongly in 2022, as the world picks up the pieces left after a global pandemic—yet he doesn’t dwell in the darkness.

“It’s about love,” Louw explains of the album, “we’re born with love, we’ll leave with love, and it heals along the way.”

Louw celebrates the restorative, nourishing love on “Mother, Don’t Go,” an insightful, insistent tune graced by guitar wizard Joe Banamassa, who brings out the song’s incandescent spirit as he intertwines his playing with that of Doug Lancio, a guitarist who has just entered Louw’s orbit. The album winds its way through "The Road Fades from Sight," a ballad built upon the soul-sustaining power of longtime love, then reaches the finish line with “I’m Coming Home,” an invigorating conclusion that leaves no doubt there’s room for optimism in these troubled times. By finding space for this full range of emotion, Thunder and Rain operates on a refreshingly human scale, emphasizing deep emotions and interpersonal interactions—it's music that's meant to be felt as much as heard. 

ABOUT STEVE LOUW: South African musician Steve Louw’s career began with his first band All Night Radio who released two records including 1986's The Killing Floor, the album where he first collaborated with Kevin Shirley. Louw came to stardom as the leader of Big Sky, a group who put out their first album, Waiting for the Dawn, in 1990. During their time together, Big Sky released five albums, a discography highlighted by 1995's acclaimed Horizon. The band earned accolades from the industry, including winning the FNB Music Award for Best SA Rock Act in 1996. At the end of their run as a band, Big Sky was the opening act for Rodriguez on his valedictory tour of South Africa, a journey captured in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man. The tour raised Louw's international profile, leading to his collaboration with Queen's Brian May and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart on "Amandla," a song on 2003's Nelson Mandela-inspired AIDS awareness project 46664. 

Following the release of Big Sky’s Trancas Canyon in 2008, Louw retreated from the spotlight. He broke his silence with his solo debut Headlight Dreams, a rousing comeback delivered in 2021. Thunder and Rain, his sophomore release, will be available November 11, 2022.

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NORWEGIAN FOLK TREASURE JONAS FJELD RELEASED “EVOCATIVE” – (FOLKALLEY) ALBUM TO THE BONE

TO THE BONE : LISTEN

OSLO, NORWAY – A few days shy of his 70th birthday, Norwegian folk treasure Jonas Fjeld, regarded as the Doc Watson of Norway, celebrated the release of To The Bone, his first solo English album in 20+years, with a performance in Oslo, Norway.

Prior to it, Jonas was concentrating on acoustic music sung in his native language. But all that changed with the release of 2019s Winter Stories, a collaboration with celebrated American singer/songwriter Judy Collins and Americana band Chatham County Line.  The album was #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart for four weeks in December 2019, nominated for a Spelman Prize (a Norwegian Grammy) and produced its own PBS Special that first aired in February 2020.

“I never thought I would release another English album,” he emphasizes. “But things went so well with the [Winter Stories]’s reception and the shows, I decided what the hell? Let’s do a new album!” Jonas continues: “The expression ‘to the bone’ means honesty, and this is a very honest album. I feel at home on this album.”

“The songs on To the Bone run the gamut of rootsy sounds, cast occasionally under a shroud of cold north wind.” – Folk Alley

“It is primarily an album of quietly moving, warmly intimate ballads. There’s the pedal steel guitar-laced manifesto for centering love and affection Place for Warm, and the gentle deathbed lament of Electric Lung. Rosie is in the folk storytelling tradition, while Savannah makes the epic imagery of the American South seem fresh rather than a well-worn trope.” The New European

Following the release of To The Bone, Fjeld is celebrating on tour throughout Norway before returning stateside for a handful of dates with Judy Collins and Chatham County Line in February 2023.

U.S. TOUR DATES

FEB 8 / GRAND JUNCTION, CO @ Avalon Theater

FEB 9 / TELLURIDE, CO @ Sheridan Opera House

FEB 11 / GREELEY, CO @ Monfort Concert Hall

FEB 13 BILLINGS, MT @ Alberta Bair Theater

FEB 14 / RAPID CITY, SD @ Fine Arts Center

all dates with Judy Collins and Chatham County Line

KEEP UP WITH JONAS FJELD

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CHAYLA HOPE’S NEW SINGLE “LONG WAY” OUT TODAY + DEBUT SOLO LP DAMN, FEELINGS OUT OCTOBER 28

Photo credit: Lindsey Poyar

LISTEN // WATCH: “LONG WAY”

Cleveland-based powerhouse Chayla Hope has unleashed “Long Way,” the latest single from the vinyl-presser-turned-pop-star’s debut record Damn, Feelings, out digitally October 28th. “Long Way” is a triumphant funk pop tribute to the New Jack Swing era mixed by three-time GRAMMY Award nominee Andrew Wuepper (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry).

“It’s about the feeling of impermanence you sometimes get growing and experiencing life with someone, knowing and eventually telling them it might not last forever,” Hope explains.

“Long Way” follows the release of “High” and Hope’s partnership with Shway Papers for her own Chayla Hope-branded rolling papers (available for purchase HERE), “Love In Lo-Fi,” “Falling,” and “Forget me Not,” mixed by 10-time GRAMMY award winner Josh Gudwin (Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Dua Lipa).

LISTEN: “HIGH”

LISTEN: “FORGET ME NOT 

WATCH // LISTEN: “FALLING”  

WATCH // LISTEN: “LOVE IN LO-FI” 

Chayla Hope is pop’s next great voice. Making a name for herself in Cleveland’s music scene pressing vinyl at Gotta Groove Records and collaborating with up-and-coming producer Jesty Beatz (aka Holy Mattress Money), her sophisticated take on the sounds of the ‘80s and ‘90s recalls the influence of Kate Bush, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox, and Robyn, marrying inventive arrangements with an impressive range and infectious spirit.

Throughout her life, Chayla has had to overcome obstacles like heartbreak and trauma by dressing up, performing, and powering through by sheer force of her artistic and creative vision. She has long been fascinated by the juxtaposition of happy music masking sad lyrics, exploring the complicated nature of human experience through its most common facet: our feelings.

A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who found her performance identity doing drag, it’s no surprise Chayla was selected to sing the theme song for Care Bears: Unlock The Magic and has numerous features in the show’s soundtrack and merchandise, embodying its core themes of empowerment, inclusion, and self-understanding through her music.

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THE STONE FOXES PREMIERE SINGLE “TIME IS A KILLER” VIA CHORUS.FM + NEW LP ON THE OTHER SIDE DUE OUT NOVEMBER 18

Photo credit: Brian Adler

LISTEN: “TIME IS A KILLER” 

 Today, San Francisco-based outfit The Stone Foxes have unleashed “Time Is A Killer,” the latest from their forthcoming LP, On The Other Side, due out on November 18th. “With a sound that strays somewhere between The Black Crowes, Jack White, and The Struts, The Stone Foxes have crafted a blistering new song that hits all the right chords,” said Chorus.fm in the track’s premiere.

“The lyrical theme came from the idea of mother nature being a character – a stone cold killer – which she is. Mother nature doesn’t play games. Mother Nature will auto-correct our foolishness. And after a certain amount of time, Mother nature will move on without us if we don’t get wise,” says TSF’s Shannon Koehler, who co-founded TSF with his brother, Spence. “It’s not complicated by any stretch, but it’s one of the first songs I’ve ever written on piano. However, I am very aware that it’s Spence’s guitar, the horns, and the backup singers—Emilie, Zola, and Kelly—that really make the track go to another level.  We tried to make a big soup out of Spence’s guitar, a little early Wu-Tang beat influence, and some Ennio Morricone.”

The song follows “Man’s Red Fire,” inspired by a lyric from The Jungle Book's “I Want To Be Like You.” “I’ve always loved that song and that phrase, and living in California surrounded by wildfires every summer for the past four years, it was stuck in my head,” Shannon said of the song. “The flames are a symbol of power and I couldn’t help but think of this raging fire of racism that’s been burning in our country since its inception. Just looking around, it’s obvious that the civil war isn’t over, so I started writing lyrics with civil war imagery in my head, and putting them together with lyrics that symbolized a quest for power.”

LISTEN: “MAN’S RED FIRE”

On The Other Side will be the first full-length album recorded by Shannon (lead vocals, drums, harmonica,  producer) and Spence (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, pedal steel, bass, producer) in over six years. For the Koehler brothers, On The Other Side is a cinematic western rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack to pull you through when the journey gets rough. The lyrics and sounds reflect Shannon's journey through a second open heart surgery, the brothers’ struggles with anxiety, being grounded by love, and the experience of living in a deeply disturbing America.

It's also an album of many firsts. "It’s the first time Spence and I have been the main songwriters on every track of a release," says Shannon. "It’s the first time I’ve sung lead vocals on every track of a release. It’s the first time I’ve ever written songs on piano that turned into actual songs on an album. It’s the first time Spence has been the main bass player on a full album."

The new single and album announcement coincides with the launch of a new fan club, The Fox Den. Members will receive early access to the album and exclusive demos, listening party invites, and exclusive merch. Members can even have their names listed in the CD liner notes or receive handwritten lyrics from the band. Membership levels begin at $30 and are available at https://www.thestonefoxes.com/the-fox-den. Be sure to follow The Stone Foxes at the links below for the latest news and updates.

Artwork by Spence Koehler

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FRANCES LUKE ACCORD ANNOUNCES NEW LP SAFE IN SOUND DUE OUT FEBRUARY 9TH VIA TWO-DALE RECORDS/TONE TREE MUSIC

NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “IN MY LIFE (ft. DARLINGSIDE)” OUT TODAY 

Photo: Luke Jackson

LISTEN // WATCH: “IN MY LIFE (ft. Darlingside)” 

Today, with the release of their single “In My Life (ft. Darlingside” and its accompanying video,   indie folk duo Frances Luke Accord (“FLA”) announces their forthcoming LP, Safe In Sound, set for release on February 9th via Two-Dale Records/Tone Tree Music. The track is a reflection on the inevitable ups and downs we all experience during our short spins on this beautiful planet. Featuring FLA’s mentors and brethren, Darlingside, the song is a hopeful ballad and vocal tour de force reminiscent of Simon & Garfunkel and Peter, Paul, & Mary. The band has recently released two other tracks from the album, “This Morning (ft. Liz Chidester),” and “Friend You’ve Been.”

LISTEN: “FRIEND YOU’VE BEEN” 

LISTEN: “THIS MORNING”

When FLA’s Nicholas Gunty and Brian Powers put their songs and voices together, there is a delicate magic that commands the room to attention–NPR’s Mountain Stage has called them “the definition of lean-in music.” Their soft, contemplative vintage of indie-folk gestures toward a timelessness that honors the Simon & Garfunkel comparisons but pushes beyond into the world of Bon Iver, Jose Gonzalez, and progressive folk music.

Both raised in South Bend, Indiana, Gunty and Powers met and began performing together during their time at the University of Notre Dame. Their first release, Kandote, was a bold intercultural collaboration with the Barefoot Truth Children’s Choir in Uganda, a not-for-profit effort which continues to support the choir to this day.

Relocating to Chicago in 2013, the duo honed their songwriting craft while releasing two more self-produced EPs, laying the groundwork for their breakthrough debut full-length, Fluke, in 2016. This immersive, philosophically rich album set them off on their first national tour, which included support dates with Darlingside, Anaïs Mitchell, and The Ballroom Thieves.

A remote band since 2017, the duo’s DIY ethos has remained strong since Fluke. Still self-managing and producing, the duo has released two more EP’s, Silver & Gold (2019) and Sunnyside (2021)–the latter under their new label, Two-Dale Records–as well as a number of singles.

FLA will be performing live in Chicago on September 22nd at Golden Dagger, and in South Bend, Indiana on September 23rd at the South Bend Civic Theatre; Chris DuPont will provide opening support for both shows. The band will also be performing in Charleston, West Virginia on September 25th at the Culture Center Theater. Be sure to follow them at the links below for the latest news and updates.

SAFE IN SOUND TRACK LIST

Window 

Dust to Dust

Sunnyside

Maria

Thank You, Derrick Watson

This Morning (ft. Liz Chidester)

Cloudy (featuring Yeshua)

Saint Mary

All The Things

Friend You’ve Been

In My Life (ft. Darlingside)

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