Americana trailblazer Jim Lauderdale announces new album Game Changer

Jim Lauderdale’s new album Game Changer will be out August 26, 2022. That Kind of Life (That Kind of Day) is the new single from the album. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

In a flurry of steel guitar and raucous drum beats, Americana renaissance man Jim Lauderdale kicks off Game Changer—his 35th full-length album—with “That Kind Of Life (That Kind Of Day),” a rollicking ode to what Jim calls “the sentiment and wishes for others to have a good life.” Lauderdale had the instrumental twin guitar/steel hook in his head when he sat down to write “That Kind Of Life.” American Songwriter premiered the track and called it “a message of the times, delivered like only Lauderdale can in a blended Americana fuse.” Fans can listen to “That Kind Of Life (That Kind Of Day)” now and pre-order or pre-save Game Changer ahead of its August 26 release. (Jim Lauderdale, 2022)

In addition to the exciting news of Lauderdale’s new album, he has also just been named a 2022 nominee for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lauderdale, along with eleven other of his contemporaries, will be celebrated at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in October where the Class of 2022 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced.

Operating under his own label, Sky Crunch Records, for the first time since 2016, Lauderdale recorded Game Changer at the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville, co-producing the release with Jay Weaver and pulling from songs he had written over the last several years. “There’s a mixture on this record of uplifting songs and, at the same time, songs of heartbreak and despair—because that’s part of life as well,” he says. “In the country song world especially, that’s always been part of it. That’s real life.”

At any given time, you are likely to find Jim Lauderdale making music, whether he is laying down a new track in the studio or working through a spontaneous melody at his home in Nashville. If he is not actively crafting new music, he is certainly thinking about it. “It’s a constant challenge to try to keep making better and better records, write better and better songs. I still always feel like I’m a developing artist,” he says. This may be a surprising sentiment from a man who’s won two Grammys, released 34 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. His forthcoming album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.

Catch Jim Lauderdale on tour:
August 13 – Maggie Valley, NC – Songwriting Camp
August 26 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
August 31 – Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindsley album release show
September 11 – Bristol, VA – Bristol Rhythm and Roots
September 13-17 – Nashville, TN – AmericanaFest
September 24 – Nashville, TN – Tommy Emmanuel’s CMA Theatre
September 25 – Nashville, TN – Tommy Emmanuel’s Guitar Camp
October 7 – Augusta, GA – Summer Series
October 8 – Pelham, TN – Cave Fest @ The Caverns
October 12 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Blue Jay Listening Room
October 13 – Live Oak, FL – Suwanee Roots Revival 2022
October 21 – Pomeroy, OH – Songwriter Weekend Fur Peace Ranch
November 3 – Los Angeles, CA – Outlaw Country West 2022

 

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Television adaptation: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

The television adaptation of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novel is now on Netflix. Photo: amazon

Heartstopper is a young adult LGBTQ+ ongoing graphic novel and webcomic series written and illustrated by British author Alice Oseman. The novel follows the lives of shy and softhearted Charlie Springs and rugby player Nick Nelson who sit next to each other in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who does not think he has a chance. Nick is struggling with feelings of his own and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works. This coming-of-age story has been adapted into a television series and is now streaming on Netflix. It has received critical acclaim and has already been renewed for a second and third season. (amazon, 2022)

Heartstopper is a British coming-of-age romantic comedy television series on Netflix. Written by Alice Oseman herself, the series primarily tells the story of Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson, whom he sites next to in school. Starring Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, and Kizzy Edgell, it also explores the lives of Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy.

Upcoming new horror movie: Camping Trip

Camping Trip – far from COVID, far from safe. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Fuica Film Pictures and 8Cube are delighted to share the new trailer and poster for their upcoming horror movie Camping Trip. Camping Trip stars Leo Zola (Leonardo Fuica), Caitlin Cameron, Hannah Forest Briand, and Alex Gravenstein and is directed by Leonardo and Demian Fuica, who both make their English language feature-length directorial debuts. The sinister thriller will be available on Digital Download in the USA & Canada (via Gravitas Ventures) starting August 19, 2022. (Gravitas Ventures, 2022)

Camping Trip – In the summer of 2020, two couples decide to go on a COVID era camping trip after months of being in lockdown. The freedom of nature and the company of their best friends offer the group a rare sense of normality, but though secluded, they are not alone. Nearby, during a botched drop off, two goons decide to go rogue; inadvertently, implicating the campers. What started as a fun-filled vacation quickly turns into a test of loyalty and survival. Suddenly the pandemic is the least of their worries.

The film was shot during the height of the pandemic in 2020, meaning requiring strict health and safety procedures were required, but this was not the only obstacle to overcome. Shooting was also forced to halt for a day when a scene sounded so real to the nearby member of the public, the police were called.

 

Camping Trip movie poster. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Musician interview: a conversation with Jacob Jolliff

Jacob Jolliff’s new album The Jacob Jolliff Band is available now. Courtesy photo, used with permission

Known for his stunning cross-genre virtuosity and his collaborations with musicians from across the musical spectrum, acoustic musician Jacob Jolliff recently announced the release of his album The Jacob Jolliff Band via Adhyâropa Records. Featuring tight vocal harmonies as well as the customary instrumental fireworks of a collaborative ensemble made up of fellow young stars, this album marks a major milestone in Jolliff’s evolution and the arrival of an authority on bluegrass mandolin. The Jacob Jolliff Band is available now for purchase. (Adhyâropa Records, 2022)

With his new album releasing today, I recently asked Mr. Jolliff a series of questions regarding his background and musical inclinations and this is what he had to say:

Sandra Cruz: You are known as a mandolin player. Do you play another instrument? Which one would you like to learn to play, if any?
Jacob Jolliff: I’ve mostly focused on the mandolin for the last 25 years. I play a bit of guitar, piano, and I sing. I’m finally moving in to an apartment that has a piano, and I’m really looking forward to practicing that!

SC: You have played with many notable musicians; who is your favorite?
JJ: I’ve been lucky to play with a lot of incredible musicians in my life—here are some that have had a huge influence:
My dad, Bill Jolliff. My first gigging, recording and touring experiences were with dad, and his musical sensibilities have a big impact on me to this day.
Alex Hargreaves. Alex is one of the best fiddlers in the world and we grew playing together, went to college together, and lived together in NYC. He’s been a huge influence.
Tony Trischka and Béla Fleck. I’ve been lucky enough to perform with Tony and Béla, and they’re both huge heroes of mine.
—Some other peers of mine that have impacted me musically are: Wes Corbett, Stash Wyslouch, Mike Barnett, Grant Gordy, Lee Dynes, Mike Robinson, Sierra Hull, Michael Daves.

SC: Do you see yourself playing music many years down the road? Would you ever retire?
JJ: Yes! I hope to play my whole life!

SC: Do you prefer playing in front of big audiences or smaller, more intimate venues?
JJ: I like it all! It’s more dependent on who I’m playing with, and the level of attention of the crowd! I’ve really enjoyed everything from house shows to Red Rocks!

SC: What type of music do you listen to on your leisure time?
JJ: Lots of stuff! I’ve been particularly in to Sonny Rollins, Mulgrew Miller and Jason Isbell these days!

SC: Is there anything you would like your fans to know about you? Any messages to them?
JJ: Come to a live show! That band really brings it live!

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Dan Tyminski honors bluegrass hero with new EP One More Time Before You Go: A Tribute To Tony Rice

‘Church Street Blues,’ featuring Molly Tuttle, is the first single from the EP. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Growing up, 14-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer Dan Tyminski was not a six-string picker, favoring mandolin or banjo when he joined the jam—until he heard Tony Rice, that is. Hearing Rice kick-off “Ten Degrees and Getting Colder” with J.D. Crowe and the New South for the first time, Tyminski was overtaken by the sound, forever changing his trajectory as a musician. Like the rest of the tight-knit bluegrass world, Tyminski was devastated by the loss of his hero in late 2020. Upon hearing the news, Tyminski took to writing a song for Rice as a way to relieve some of his grief. “I cried all day on day one, and on day two, had written the instrumental part.” The song ended up being called “One More Time Before You Go,” and grew into the title track of Tyminski’s new EP One More Time Before You Go: A Tribute To Tony Rice. (Dan Tyminski, 2022)

Tyminski shared a taste of the upcoming star-studded tribute with his recording of “Church Street Blues” featuring the reigning queen of bluegrass guitar, Molly Tuttle. Sticking closely to Rice’s classic arrangement, Tyminski and Tuttle cross-pick their way through the long-beloved tune, trading solos and sharing vocals on the song’s iconic chorus. Fans can check out “Church Street Blues” now.

When all was said and done, Tyminski ended up with five songs featuring a number of fellow Rice devotees and friends. New guard pickers like Tuttle, Billy Strings, and Dan Tyminski Band-member Gaven Largent share space with Douglas, Bush, Dailey & Vincent, and more for a stunning all-star tribute to the man who influenced a whole genre of music.

One More Time Before You Go track list:
Church Street Blues (feat. Molly Tuttle)
One More Time Before You Go (feat. Jerry Douglas, Todd Phillips, Sam Bush, Josh Williams)
Ten Degrees And Getting Colder (feat. Dailey & Vincent)
Where The Soul Of A Man Never Dies (feat. Billy Strings)
Why You Been Gone So Long (feat. Gaven Largent)

Catch Dan Tyminski on tour:
August 12 – York, PA – Appell Center For The Performing Arts
August 13 – Goshen, CT – Podunk Bluegrass Festival 2022
August 18-20 – Marion, NC – North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival 2022
August 25 – Middlesboro, KY – Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series
August 27 – Lexington, VA – Lime Kiln Theater
August 28 – Doylestown, PA – Bluegrass at the TileWorks Summer Series
September 1-4 – Brunswick, ME – Thomas Point Bluegrass Festival 2022
September 1 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House
September 3 – Plymouth, MA – Spire Center for the Performing Arts
September 18 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pickin’ In The Pines 2022
September 27-29 – West Raleigh, NC – IBMA Bluegrass Ramble 2022
September 30 – Rocky Mount, VA – Harvester Performance Center
October 7-8 – Big Stone Gap, VA – Blue Highway Fest 2022
October 14 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Big Barn
November 10 – Wilmington, OH – Roberts Centre
November 10-12 – Wilmington, NC – Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival 2022

Throughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. Tyminski’s voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brother’s Classic song, “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey, Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed over 1 billion times to date. Dan has also contributed guitar and/or harmony to projects by Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Lewis, and Rob Thomas, to name a few. In addition to his highly successful solo career, Dan Tyminski has played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994. His unmatched instrumental skills and burnished, soulful tenor voice have been key components of the band.

Scott Krokoff announces new single Fortunately

Scott Krokoff’s new single Fortunately. Cover art by enchanted.marvel.

With a rich sound drawn primarily from his love of 60s and 70s music, New Yorker Scott Krokoff weaves elements of folk rock and country pop into confessional and compelling Americana. He is an evocative and introspective songwriter with a style that is reminiscent of Tom Petty and James Taylor and a voice that sounds like a mix of Jackson Browne and Steve Winwood. People of all ages find Scott’s music appealing and inspirational, relating to his music not only because of the infectious rhythm and energy each song possesses but because he represents the desire we each have to dream big and live life to the fullest. His latest single Fortunately, is now officially out and available for streaming on all platforms. It is a love song written for his wife in the bossa nova style reminiscent of those classic bossa sounds from the 60s. (Scott Krokoff, 2022)

He will be appearing at the Mercury Lounge in New York on Friday, August 5 along with Rory D’Lasnow and Victor V. Gurbo. Tickets are $10 and are available through Ticketmaster. Each be playing 30 minute full band sets.

To date, Scott has released 3 albums and several singles, including three singles with over 100,000 streams on Spotify (Far Too Many Times, My Own Terms and Groundhog). PopWrapped calls Scott “an artist to watch” and Music Crowns calls Scott’s latest release – 2022’s Fortunately – “a song you’ll want to hold your loved ones close to, and find harmony with one another while swaying along to the music.”

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Award-winning found footage horror movie The Andy Baker Tape

A multi-award-winner on the festival circuit, The Andy Baker Tape premieres on the Terror Films Channel August 5 before a wide digital on August 12 and the Kings of Horror on August 19, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Alpha House’s Bret Lada writes, directs and stars in unnerving found footage horror movie The Andy Baker Tape, releasing this August from Terror Films. A multi-award-winner on the festival circuit, The Andy Baker Tape premieres on the Terror Films Channel August 5 before a wide digital on August 12 and the Kings of Horror on August 19, 2022. (Terror Films, 2022)

The Andy Baker Tape – On October of 2020 food blogger Jeff Blake and his half-brother Andy Baker hit the road on a food tour that had the potential to change their lives. They were never seen again. This is their footage.

“The Andy Baker Tape was written, shot, and edited in a 6-month period during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Created by a displaced screen actor, an out-of-work Blue Man, an Australian-based sound engineer, and a first-time female producer; this film is a testament to creation and keeping the artistic spirit alive while the rest of the world was forced into hibernation. Our story is a joyride of laughs, thrills, and suspense. My team and I are delighted to share it with you.” – Bret Lada

 

New found footage horror movie: Infrared

Infrared is now available on digital platforms and will be released on Kings of Horror on August 5, 2022. Photo: google

Terror Films released found footage horror film Infrared, starring The Room’s Gregory Sestero, worldwide on digital platforms on July 22 and it will be available on Kings of Horror on August 5, 2022. (Terror Films, 2022)

Infrared – A paranormal investigator and his production crew gain access to a mysterious, abandoned school but when the thrilling haunt turns deadly, the team must race to uncover the terrifying truth before they become the school’s next victims. Jesse Janzen, Leah Finity, and Lori Richardson also star in the spooker.

“Infrared is first and foremost a horror film, but at its heart, is a movie about siblings reconnecting in a time of need. Often in horror films, we find ourselves rooting for the characters we don’t like to die, so it was important for us to develop characters that we wanted to survive, creating a larger emotional investment for those watching. With this intention in mind, we set out to wholly develop their backstories and create a believable connection. From there we tackled the darker themes and scares within the film, workshopping ideas with our actors, and giving them the freedom of collaboration within our improvisational process. This film is injected with humor, tension and scares, and we really hope that nobody finds an owner’s manual in their basement.” – Directors Robert Livings and Randy Nundall Jr.

Infrared movie poster. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Television adaptation: Paper Girls comic book series

The television adaptation of the Paper Girls comic book series is available on Amazon Prime Video. Photo: google

Paper Girls is a mystery/science fiction comic book series written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Cliff Chiang, published by American company Image Comics. Paper Girls follows the story of four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls (Erin, MacKenzie, KJ, and Tiffany) set in Stony Stream, a fictional suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. As they are out delivering papers on the morning after Halloween in 1988, the town is struck by an invasion from a mysterious force from the future. The girls become unwillingly caught up in the conflict between two warring factions of time travelers. The television adaptation premiered on Amazon Prime Video on July 29, 2022 and consists of eight episodes. (Wikipedia, 2022)

Paper Girls is a science fiction drama television series created by Stephany Folsom based on the comic book series. It stars Camryn Jones as Tiffany Quilkin, Riley Lai Nelet as Erin Tieng, Sofia Rosinsky as Mac Coyle, Fina Strazza as KJ Brandman, and Ali Wong as Adult Erin. The girls become unwittingly caught in a conflict between warring factions of time-travelers, sending them on an adventure through time that will save the world. As they travel between our present, the past, and the future – they encounter future versions of themselves and now must choose to embrace or reject their fate.

This series premiered on Friday July 29 and I just watched the first episode and judging by the comments online, it is being compared to Stranger Things (I have never watched that show). The first episode introduces the main characters and sets off the time traveling where the first meet Adult Erin. Being a big fan of science fiction, especially time travelling, it looks interesting. The story line goes back and forth between the past, present, and future so I hope I do not lose interest because I really want to see it through. The best thing is that all eight episodes are available now, so I can probably binge watch the entire season.

Paper Girls comic book. Photo: google

The Western Express announces new album Lunatics, Lovers & Poets

The Western Express show off their nuevo-retro style of Texas country with new single “Flower Of The Rio Grande.” Upcoming album Lunatics, Lovers & Poets is due out August 9, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Lone Star State honky-tonkers The Western Express are aware of the renewed interest in the eras of country music that inspire them—and the major-label artists who are leading that surge in popularity with radio-friendly hits—but they are not chasing trends. “My first real concert was the Judds at the Houston Rodeo in the late ‘80s. I sang George Strait songs at every talent show I could enter as a kid,” says Stephen Castillo, one half of The Western Express, along with Phill Brush. “I’ve just always been immersed in it.” Their sound is real, and it goes deep. Their new album Lunatics, Lovers & Poets will be out August 9, 2022. (The Western Express, 2022)

Phill Brush and Stephen Castillo, together known as The Western Express, met via Craigslist in early 2018 and bonded over their shared love of first-rate songwriting and the country hits of the 1980s and ‘90s. Drawn to the tragic or notable lives of writers and performers such as Dean Dillon, Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz of Watchhouse, and Chavela Vargas, Brush and Castillo’s unique set of influences are balanced with classic country troubadours like Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, and Alan Jackson. It is through this lens that they refract a sound all their own. Touching on classic pop country, Latin blues, gospel, and even a little outlaw, The Western Express are cultivating their one-of-a-kind brand of Texas country. 

Pro Country debuted The Western Express’ “Flower of the Rio Grande,” the first single from their upcoming full-length album, Lunatics, Lovers & Poets. With a swaggering, moody Mex-Tex feel, “Flower of the Rio Grande” tells the story of a lovelorn man roaming the desert, as Castillo puts it: “searching for the dark-eyed woman who now only lives in his dreams.” A lonesome fiddle and a reverbed-out electric guitar dance in and out of Castillo’s vocal melody, painting a perfect, cool desert evening scene. “He wants her and she knows it,” says Brush. “And she’s not giving in that easily.” Fans can check out the music video for “Flower of the Rio Grande” now and stream it.

The nine songs on Lunatics, Lovers & Poets work together despite their differences—much like Brush and Castillo themselves—because of Castillo’s strong, but not self important, songwriting decisions. There is an old-school storytelling style masking deeply personal reflections in “Flower of the Rio Grande,” and “Leyenda,” unflinching honesty over upbeat melodies in “Trust Me, You Can’t Trust Me” and “Emptying Me,” and straightforward, dancehall-ready love stories in “You and Me and the Neon” and “Lovin’ You for a While.”

“I took the craft of writing these songs seriously,” explains Castillo, who wrote much of the album during a solo trip to West Texas in the fall of 2018, “but the songs themselves don’t take themselves very seriously.” 

Lunatics, Lovers & Poets track list:

  1. Honky Tonk Saints
  2. Flower of the Rio Grande
  3. You and Me and the Neon
  4. Trust Me, You Can’t Trust Me
  5. Leyenda
  6. Lovin’ You For A While
  7. Last Apology
  8. Emptying Me
  9. Quesadilla Mamacita

Catch The Western Express on tour:
August 4 – Austin, TX – Broken Spoke Dancehall (Album Release Show)
August 7 – Helotes, TX – Floore’s Country Store
August 19 – College Station, TX – Calvary Court

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