Category: Music News

New album: On Solid Ground – Reggie Harris

On Solid Ground is available now. Photo: amazon

Reggie Harris is a teaching artist in the Kennedy Center’s CETA program (Changing Education Through the Arts) and a fellow for the prestigious Council of Independent College lecture program. He also serves as Co-President and Director of Music Education for the Living Legacy Project—an advocacy group that sponsors Civil Rights pilgrimages throughout the South and online education seminars worldwide. Reggie Harris counters injustice with love on his new album On Solid Ground, which is out now.  Harris’ incredibly unique perspective—that of a Black folk singer with roots in the Modern Civil Rights revolution and the great-great-great-grandson of a Confederate general and one of his slaves—brings a truth, a fire, and a positive outlook to each of the album’s thirteen songs. (IV-PR, 2021)

“Well it’s a plague on the nation / It’s all across the news / Splashed up in color for all the world to see.” Those are the opening lines Reggie Harris sings on his new album On Solid Ground. A veteran folk musician—recently the recipient of Folk Alliance International’s 2021 Spirit of Folk Award—Harris has sung songs like this his entire career, but the current political and social climate is drawing his personal voice out and into the conversation. “My story includes aspects of my journey as a Black male growing up in Philadelphia during the 50s and 60s; pushed into integrating schools and neighborhoods which forced me to learn to live between two worlds using music as a foil to become a bridge-builder.” On Solid Ground is just as much about healing and inspiration in the face of injustice and dissension. That first stanza closes with a perfect example of Harris’s honed duality: “Our leaders say they’re angry / The people are confused / So, I guess this just comes down to you and me.” In the end, it is all about how we collectively move forward. Longtime fans and curious readers can stream or purchase On Solid Ground—out now—at this link.

Of the thirteen songs on On Solid Ground, Harris wrote nine of them. From the driving, funky “Standing In Freedoms Name”—which tells the tale of Rev. C.T. Vivian’s iconic encounter with Sheriff Jim Clark in Selma, Alabama, in 1965—to album-closing tribute to his friend and mentor Pete Seeger, “High Over the Hudson,” Harris dances between genres without hesitation and rides the highs and lows of each song’s content with a confident wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of studying folk music. A beautiful cover of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” with Baltimore-based jazz pianist Eric Byrd is carefully placed in the album’s lineup, along with a version of John Prine’s “Hello In There” and an up-tempo recasting of Malvina Reynolds’ classic protest song, “It Isn’t Nice.” 

While writing for On Solid Ground, Harris was featured in 2020 on CNN’s Silence is Not An Option with Don Lemon and in The New York Times to discuss his familial connection as the descendant of slavery as a great-great-great-grandson of confederate General Williams Carter Wickham and his slave Bibhanna Hewlett with his White cousins. “I’ve been a 40-year pioneer as one of the few African-Americans in the folk music community and a Black educator touring around America,” he says. On Solid Ground continues to add to Harris’ legacy, but there is something about this album—at this moment—which feels remarkable; a perfect statement on the times and a peaceful guide to overcoming them. 

On Solid Ground Track list:

  1. It’s Who We Are
  2. My Working Bones
  3. Come What May
  4. Standing in Freedom’s Name
  5. All You Need Is Love
  6. On Solid Ground
  7. Maybe It’s Love
  8. Hello in There
  9. Rise Up/March On
  10. It Isn’t Nice
  11. Let’s Meet Up Early
  12. Tree of Life
  13. High Over the Hudson

Willie Nelson and Luck presents first annual cannabis convention

Luck Summit: Planting the Seed will benefit HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. Photo: google

Willie Nelson and Luck Presents are proud to announce the first annual cannabis convention, Luck Summit: Planting the Seed which benefits HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. Hosted by Nathanial Rateliff, the multi-day virtual summit seeks to destigmatize, educate, and promote cannabis culture in an informative and entertaining way. During the summit, Luck and fellow cannabis-advocate partners will showcase the cannabis plant through its many lenses including history, science, entertainment, and culture. In addition to panel discussions and keynote speakers, attendees will be treated to musical collaborations, comedy sketches, cooking demonstrations, health-focused activities, and more.  (IV-PR, 2021)

Team Luck is also pleased to announce a partnership with HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project, an organization that informs, registers and turns out voters who are interested in cannabis policy. “Willie Nelson is a music and cannabis icon, so of course we’re thrilled to partner,” says Sam D’Arcangelo, Director of HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. “Texas and the rest of the United States are sitting at a cannabis crossroads right now. There’s no better time to celebrate how far we’ve come and have a conversation about where cannabis legalization goes from here.” All ticket proceeds from the summit will be donated to the Voter Project to aid in their efforts. 

The summit will hold space for honest, stripped down dialogue between industry veterans, casual connoisseurs, activists, artists, and everyone in between. Have something to say or questions about the benefits and opportunities surrounding hemp and cannabis as a commodity, and as medicine? This summit is for you. The discussion docket includes civil discourse, building community, legalization through policy amendments, science, de-stigmatization, hemp and cannabis as commodity products and cash crops, taxation that aids the economy, decriminalization and pathways toward freeing non-violent offenders for cannabis convictions, de-stigmatizing cannabis in industries weary of engaging, cannabis history and prohibition, and so much more. The mission of the Luck Summit is to create a community discussion around destigmatizing, decriminalizing, and legalizing hemp and cannabis in the state of Texas and beyond. 

Planting the Seed is a donation-based ticketed summit raising money for HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project. To register or for more information on the High Holidays, please visit them online. 

Planting the Seed is the marque event of Luck’s “High Holidays,” a 9 day celebration of the cannabis plant and its many benefits which begins on 4/20 and ends on Willie’s birthday, 4/29. Additionally, Luck Presents is petitioning the Biden Administration and Congress to make 4/20 to 4/29 the “High Holidays” in honor of the cannabis industry, and to celebrate Willie’s birthday. Sign the petition here.

Luck Presents is a rogue cultural collective headquartered in Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX. Anchored by its flagship event, the annual Luck Reunion, Luck Presents creates experiences that embrace our past while cultivating new traditions in American roots culture. 

HeadCount’s Cannabis Voter Project informs, registers, and turns out voters who want to see cannabis policy move forward. We believe cannabis reform is a unique issue with the power to turn large numbers of people into active participants in our democracy.

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?” – Willie Nelson

 

Caamp’s Taylor Meier unveils new independent label

Louisville’s Sam Filiatreau is first up on the roster with full-length release coming soon. Photo: google

Riding high on a wave of sold-out tours, hundreds of millions of streams, and chart-topping radio residencies, Caamp front man and songwriter Taylor Meier has never let his focus drift from bringing even more artists along for the ride. Enter Meier’s very own independent record label Gjenny Records; an outlet custom-tailored to do just that. “So much good stuff gets buried because people don’t have the right contacts or connections, so I started Gjenny Records just so I could put out people’s stuff and give them a shot at some daylight.” After all, a man of the people should be a man for the people, and Meier fits the bill. (IV-PR, 2021)

Gjenny Records is proud to announce their first signee, Sam Filiatreau, a rising songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky, who blends the lyricism of ‘70s vinyl with the acoustic feel of Appalachian folk music. Burned out by playing in a local rock band for seven or eight years, Filiatreau hopped on a Louisville house concert lineup on Valentine’s Day 2019 to play a few acoustic songs. He was just a friend of a friend who took an open slot between Meier and fellow Caamp member Matt Vinson, who were touring the Midwest together with solo side projects. A conversation after the show ultimately led to an invitation for Filiatreau to join them on a Caamp tour and eventually to making a solo album. 

A chance encounter at a house concert proved to be the turning point for Sam Filiatreau. His remarkable debut album arrives on Gjenny Records.  As a teenager who began writing songs almost as soon as he learned to play guitar, Filiatreau found his calling in the storytelling songs of John Prine and Randy Newman, then immersed himself in the festival scene to hone his craft. 

Asked about the instant connection, Filiatreau says, “We hit it off pretty well, but I think it was mostly the songs. Taylor always talks about it to me that I just started playing and he looked at Matt across the room, and he was like, ‘We’re going to do something with this.’ We hung out until 4 or 5 in the morning that night too. So, right off the bat, musically, we were into the same thing, and we both love folk music and solo performances. We just had a great time together.” A hangover-curing breakfast followed, securing the guys’ love for Sam and his songs, and a plan for how to get them both out into the world. Stay tuned for more news on Filiatreau’s debut album, due out later this year on Gjenny Records.

Tropical music star Emir Pabón releases Rigo Tovar tribute album

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ is a tribute album to Mexican pop culture cumbia icon Rigo Tovar. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Tropical music star Emir Pabón presents the tribute album ‘Rigo Puro Amor’ in honor of his godfather, the Mexican Cumbia icon Rigo Tovar. While recreating the greatest hits that made Rigo Tovar a legend, the percussionist, producer, and composer Emir Pabón remembers the impact that this idol had on Mexican culture while also recalling his personal connection to the artist as his godson. Pabón, who also serves as the percussionist for Grupo Cañaveral, is proud to now present ‘Rigo Puro Amor.’ (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

As a celebration of both the anniversary of Rigo Tovar’s birth (March 29) and his death (March 27), Pabón has reimagined Tovar’s greatest hits. This new tribute album, which also happens to be Pabón’s debut full length release, features collaborations with esteemed artists such as Mariana Seoane, Percance, Jorge Medina, Grupo Cañaveral, Los Rojos, Fátima Campo, and PeeWee. Listeners will be able to enjoy cumbia classics such as “La Múcura,” “Amor Sincero,” “¿Quién Será la Mujer?,” and “Quítate La Mascara.” Emir Pabón is known as an artist who likes to reinvent himself and be at the vanguard. Adapting different sounds is part of his artistic essence, which he continues to do with ‘Rigo Puro Amor.’

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ is now available on all digital formats.

‘Rigo Puro Amor’ – Track list
“Oh Qué Gusto De Volverte A Ver” ft. Jose Adán Esparza Y René Esparza
“El Sirenito” ft. Pedro Fernández
“Mi Matamoros Querido” ft. Lemongrass
“Cómo Será La Mujer” ft. Jorge Medina
“El Testamento” ft. PeeWee
“Quítate La Máscara” ft. Los Rojos
“No Que No”
“Carita De Angel”
“Mi Tinajita” ft. W Corona
“Perdóname, Mi Amor Por Ser Tan Guapo” ft. Chico Che Chico
“Cuando Tu Cariño”
“Amor Sincero” ft. Grupo Cañaveral
“Lamento De Amor” ft. Carolina Ross
“Dos Tardes De Mi Vida” ft. Sandoval
“Me Quiero Casar” ft. Fátima Campo
“Así Soy Yo” ft. Percance
“Mi Amiga, Mi Esposa, Mi Amante” ft. Claudio Alcaraz
“La Calandria Canta” ft. Jonaz
“La Múcura” ft. Mariana Seoane
“Carta De Recuerdo” ft. Buyuchek

Mexican by birth and Colombian at heart, Emir Pabón was born in Mexico City and began his musical career by attending his father’s concerts. He eventually joined his father’s legendary band Grupo Cañaveral as a percussionist and has served an integral role in the ensemble for the past 23 years. In addition to a percussionist, Pabón is also a producer, businessman, actor and composer.

Pabón began a new phase of his career in 2019, releasing several singles as a soloist including “Echa pa’lante,” which invites listeners to overcome their problems with a positive attitude, as well as “Swing,” a collaboration with the acclaimed reggaeton artists Nacho and Joey Montana. In 2020, Grupo Cañaveral celebrated their 25th anniversary and Emir finished up recording his debut solo album – a tribute to his godfather, the Mexican icon Rigo Tovar.

Emir Pabon. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

New album: John Smith’s The Fray

The Fray is John Smith’s new album. Photo: google

British songwriter John Smith was born in Essex and raised on the Devon seaside. Known for his intimate songwriting, his honey-on-gravel voice, and pioneering guitar playing, he has spent the last fifteen years touring internationally and has amassed over 40 million streams on Spotify. As a session musician, he has played guitar with artists as diverse as Joan Baez, David Gray, Joe Henry, Lianne La Havas, and Tom Jones.  He holds on to optimism with his new album The Fray. (IV-PR, 2021)

The song ‘Hold On’ embodies a thread of hopefulness in a blanket of bad news; a thread that runs throughout his new full-length album, The Fray—available now to stream or purchase at this link. Smith co-produced The Fray with long-time friend and producer Sam Lakeman at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studio. Calling on an all-star band—pianist Jason Rebello, bass player Ben Nicholls, Drummer Jay Sikora, and Jessica Staveley-Taylor of The Staves—Lakeman and Smith honed an honest sound not unfamiliar to existing fans; a focus on the songs as well as the beautiful way in which Smith picks and plucks them. Not allowing a global pandemic to prohibit collaboration, Smith’s guests on the album recorded remotely and sent their contributions digitally over international borders—Sarah Jarosz, Courtney Hartman, The Milk Carton Kids, and Bill Frisell from the Americas and Smith’s frequent touring partner Lisa Hannigan via a virtual studio session in Dublin. 

Throughout The Fray, Smith touches on not just his own emotional turmoil experienced over the past year, but also his observance of the pain of those around him. But it is Smith’s stubborn optimism that shines through and differentiates his experiences and songs from his influences and contemporaries, which PopMatters and Americana Highways recently touched on, the latter highlighting his “excellent, consistent songwriting.” His traits of holding onto hope, forgiving transgressions, and reckoning with his place in a world which does not always reciprocate are not only necessary for Smith to deal, but they are also contagious to anyone who finds themselves in similar situations, adrift in the wind. Atwood Magazine commented, “Pain, loss, isolation, sadness—these are all a part of life, and they will knock us down. Smith’s music reminds us that we will rise again, stronger than before.” For those who echo that sentiment, from experience, Smith shares his message on The Fray; “If we don’t hold on, we’re lost.”

On April 11, Smith will be hosting a Behind the Music livestream in which he will discuss what it takes to put an album together; from writing and arranging to production and recording. For more information and to purchase a pass, please visit Mandolin online. 

The Fray Track listing: 

  1. Friends
  2. Hold On
  3. Sanctuary
  4. Deserving
  5. The Best Of Me (feat. Bill Frisell)
  6. Star-Crossed Lovers (feat Lisa Hannigan)
  7. To The Shore
  8. Eye To Eye (feat Sarah Jarosz)
  9. Just As You Are
  10. The Fray (feat. The Milk Carton Kids)
  11. She’s Doing Fine
  12. One Day At A Time

Ervin Stellar’s new EP Nothing to Prove out now

Ervin Stellar’s feel-good Americana EP, Nothing to Prove. Photo: google

Ervin Stellar channels the energy and integrity of American roots music with his new EP, Nothing to Prove. Using the name Ervin Stellar as his public persona, Nashville musician Andrew Jordan self-produced and mixed the five-song project and released it independently. During his 12 years living in Brooklyn, New York, Jordan discovered a community of session players who were as comfortable with country as they were with jazz. By blending those styles into his own music—from banjo and pedal steel to drums and electric guitar—Ervin Stellar brings a compelling perspective to Americana music. (IV-PR, 2021)

“I left New York City with a gold nugget in my pocket,” sings Ervin Stellar in the opening line of the opening song on his new EP Nothing to Prove. A dancing, melodic bassline and tastefully twangy guitar flourishes could slip in unnoticed on Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks were it not for Stellar’s smooth, intimate vocal delivery. An album that will certainly warrant more than one listen to catch each impeccably crafted line, Nothing to Prove is a shining example of how Stellar pulls off a balancing act of being earnest, lighthearted, and virtuous—one song at a time. Fans can now hear Nothing to Prove in its entirety at this link.

Ervin Stellar is the public persona of Andrew Jordan, who moved from New York to Nashville following his 2018 album, The Moment. That relocation is referenced in the first line of Nothing to Prove’s title track, setting up a series of musical snapshots that encompasses three original songs and two well-chosen covers—all of which are executed in a hard-to-pin-down mix of organic tones and greasy grooves. His sound reflects his youth in Southern Michigan, where his mother preferred country on the radio while his dad enjoyed playing jazz records at home.

In addition to his three outstanding originals on Nothing To Prove, Jordan included covers of Jonathan Edwards’ “Shanty” and John Fogerty’s “Who’ll Stop the Rain.” Jordan recalls hearing “Shanty” every Friday afternoon on the radio in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and decided to work it up after realizing it fit the lockdown vibe. As for “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” Jordan slows down the tempo of the Creedence Clearwater Revival original, though the message resonates as much as ever.

Nothing To Prove Track listing:
Nothing To Prove
Love Is Love
Who’ll Stop The Rain
S.O.S.
Shanty

Rapper and producer W Corona releases new album

W Corona’s new album is Rancho Gang. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Rapper and producer W. Corona continues his journey through the Regional Mexican landscape with the release of his latest album ‘Rancho Gang.’ Showcasing a creative fusion of acoustic and electronic sounds, the new album was co-written and produced by the Monterrey-based rapper himself and reflects his relentless search for new rhythms and melodies. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

‘Rancho Gang’ features 13 songs infused with hip hop, sierreño, and norteño influences, taking listeners on an audible trip through the genres that have formed a principal part of W. Corona’s childhood experiences in his home city of Monterrey, Mexico. It also includes Reggaeton and Cumbia rhythms, creating a multicultural album nourished by Latin American and Mexican sounds.

W. Corona is well known for the diversity of his music. Thanks to his honesty, listeners are consistently offered tales of his experiences, triumphs, romances, heart breaks, celebrations, nostalgias, and failures. While in the studio, he always follows his heart and uses fear as an incentive to work harder and to take risks to achieve his goals: to grow as an artist and evolve, have fun with friends and enjoy the journey without “taking it too serious.”

One year and eleven months have passed since W. Corona began this new era in his career with the single “Cuadro Chico” ft. El Chino Del Rancho, which he followed up with “Bendecido” and more recently with “Sed De La Mala”. The young producer and MC has found a new path by mixing modern hip hop styles with organic Regional Mexican sounds while melodically telling poignant stories with colloquial lyrics.

The two bonus songs included on the album are “Duro” ft. Zkylz García & Fatboi and “El Clavo.” Both singles and their music videos showcase the wide range of influences that W. Corona brings to the plate. ‘Rancho Gang’ is a map that reflects the experiences of W’s life, with each of the thirteen songs taking listeners on a journey filled with many wild twists and turns.

Track list:

  1. California High Ft. El Chino Del Rancho
  2. Bendecido
  3. Duro Ft. Zkylz García, Fatboi
  4. El Clavo
  5. Cuadro Chico Ft. El Chino Del Rancho
  6. Abusando #1
  7. Agítalo Ft. Mad Fuentes
  8. Sed De La Mala
  9. Hong Kong Ft. Los Del Nido
  10. Mal De Amor
  11. Route 66 Ft. El Chino Del Rancho
  12. La Carga Pesada
  13. La Mejor Del Condado Ft. Zkylz García

Indie rockers Arts Fishing Club release new EP, The Show

Arts Fishing Club’s new EP The Show will be out April 30. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

An alternative rock band with pop hooks, indie sensibilities, and indie-folk roots, Arts Fishing Club built its audience the old-school way; by piling its members into a van and hitting the road. As Arts Fishing Club’s touring schedule grew, so did the band’s sound. It was a natural evolution of a band whose members had begun to turn up their guitar amps, dig into their 90s’ rock influences, and create new songs that were every bit as electrifying as their shows. That live energy found a permanent home in the band’s music, turning their upcoming EP—appropriately titled The Show—into the band’s most representative work to date. The group brings these themes to life across five songs with raucous rock and roll, mid-tempo grooves, and folk balladeering all making an appearance. (IV-PR, 2021)

This week, Live for Live Music gave fans a glimpse into The Show with the video premiere for album-closer “With Us All,” a tune in which the band gives a nod to Bob Dylan with their modern twist on a classic protest song—with a decidedly non-holier-than-thou attitude. “It’s with that not-so-thinly veiled reference to Bob Dylan that “With Us All” gets its raw, understated power,” the article says. “A much-needed 21st-century update to the landmark 1964 folk song about the changing nature of society, Arts Fishing Club is now reminding their parents—who were the very children that Dylan sang about—that “your sons and your daughters are beyond your command,” as Dylan originally sang. Watch the video for “With Us All” here and pre-order or pre-save The Show ahead of its April 30 release at this link.

Produced by Wilco co-founder Ken Coomer and mixed by Grammy-winning icon Ryan Hewitt (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers, and blink-182), The Show is an alt-rock record with a message, filled with songs that sandwich Kessenich’s social commentary between singalong choruses, cinematic melodies, and bursts of Stratocaster guitar. The fact that it was recorded in two days speaks loudly to the band’s strength as a hard-touring, well-oiled machine. It is an anthemic sound that targets the head, heart, and dancing shoes, designed not only to get a crowd moving, but to get them thinking, as well.

The Show Track list:
Hollywood
Horizon Eyes
Tough Shit
The Show
With Us All

“We live in a world where everyone wants to be famous, whether you’re onstage, Tik Tok, or Instagram. I can’t even imagine what middle school must be like these days with social media. I don’t envy that kind of pressure. The Show is an album about fame culture, modern society, and self-reflection.” – Christopher Kessenich, Arts Fishing Club songwriting front man

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eTown announces initial lineup for anniversary celebration

eTown is celebrating 30th b’Earthday with a virtual celebration on April 22. Photo: google

It has been 30 busy and productive years since the launch of eTown, the world-renowned radio show turned full-blown multimedia nonprofit. In honor of 30 years of great live music paired with social and environmental programming, eTown is throwing a party for the ages, honoring both its 30th birthday and eTown’s induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.  (eTown, 2021)

On Earth Day 2021, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, eTown’s 30th b’Earthday Celebration will air via live stream and feature performances from Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, Lyle Lovett, Bob Weir, Sam Bush, City and Colour, and Raquel Garcia. Former U.S. Senator and environmental advocate, Tim Wirth, will join for the conversation portion of the livestream. For more information on the b’Earthday Celebration including lineup additions, how to become a supporter of eTown, or to check out past shows and performances, please visit eTown online. 

“Helen and I started eTown in ’91 determined to try something new, to make a different kind of show, one that mixed music and message. It took us a while to find our voice and our place in the media landscape, but over the last three decades, we’ve not only presented—and played—a ton of remarkable live music, we’ve also shared really inspiring conversations and stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things on behalf of our shared environment.”  – eTown Founder and Host, Nick Forster

Before eTown, Nick toured and recorded for decades with IBMA Entertainers of the Year and Grammy nominees Hot Rize, amongst others, while Helen Forster made her mark as a co-owner and producer of the world famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival, while also performing herself.  This husband and wife team have taken everything they have seen, felt, and learned about music, the environment, and humanity and put it into practice through 30 years of remarkable eTown shows. 

Join Nick, Helen, and the rest of the eTown crew and community on April 22 to celebrate their amazing milestone in the only logical way: engaging song and conversation. 

eTown, the internationally syndicated radio broadcast, podcast, and multimedia- and events-production nonprofit, launched on Earth Day 1991 in Boulder, Colorado. Since then, eTown has produced musical, social, and environmental programming all focused on its ongoing global mission—to educate, entertain, and inspire a diverse audience through music and conversation to create a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable world. Prior to the pandemic, eTown recorded shows in front of a live audience in eTown Hall, a 17,000 square foot former church in downtown Boulder which has been renovated and transformed into a solar-powered performance and recording facility—likely the only zero-carbon facility of its kind in North America. Recently, eTown pivoted to all-virtual episodes.

 

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New album release: Beth Whitney’s Into the Ground

Beth Whitney’s new album Into the Ground will be out May 28, 2021. Photo: google

Beth Whitney released her first album, Leave Your Shoes, in 2007, which garnered heavy airplay in the Seattle area. She released Yellow in 2010 and Ukulele in 2012, both of which won songwriting awards and were put into heavy rotation by local AAA station in the Seattle area. In 2013, Beth partnered with neighbor and fellow artist, Bradford Loomis, to write and record a self-titled album, The Banner Days (2014) and Hand Me A Hymnal (2015.) The collaboration garnered critical acclaim while they toured extensively across the nation including a performance at the Lincoln Center in New York and reached over 2 million streams on Spotify for their co-write, “My Beloved.” In 2017 she released The Wild Unrest. Whitney’s new album Into the Ground will be released May 28, 2021 on Tone Tree Music.  (IV-PR, 2021)

With the partnership of producer and mixer Brandon Bee and engineer Matt Terjeson, Whitney’s new collection of songs lands effortlessly on beds of organic and orchestral—and at times overdriven and rhythmic—production; never coming close to overpowering the songs and the voice singing them. This week, American Songwriter premiered “Two Sons,” the third single from Into the Ground, following “In Another Life” and “Wild Horse.” American Songwriter wrote, “Reimagining the beloved parable in a modern, Americana setting, Whitney’s understated arrangement beautifully serves the winder theme…the video and the song unite to express a timely message of celebrating those who were lost, but now are found.” “Somehow over my lifetime, this idea of home has become more familiar, and more foreign, all in the same cosmic breath,” says Whitney of “Two Sons.” “I suppose many of my songs thread-in an underlying search for someone or somewhere that would take me in. This desire to be fully known and embraced is so strong in us and yet so difficult to realize. ‘Two Sons’ is a parable Jesus told and one I’ve never forgotten.” Fans can pre-save “Two Sons” now at this link.

Into the Ground showcases Whitney’s artfulness as a songwriter and her determination as a musician to stare down the chaos in front of her and weave it into something else. She welcomes grief when it is in front of her because she knows what happens when grief is left out to spoil. Whitney looks straight ahead in her music; it’s the reason Into the Ground takes listeners deep into themselves in search of a common humanity.  

Into the Ground Track list:

  1. Wild Roses
  2. Two Sons
  3. Wild Horse
  4. In Another Life
  5. Whole Heart
  6. Moonlight
  7. Huckleberry
  8. Shelter From the Storm
  9. Thunder
  10. I Go 
  11. You Leave a Light On
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Beth Whitney’s Into the Ground release