Tag: Americana

Bill Scorzari Announces New Album ‘Sidereal Days (Day 2)’ and New Single

‘Open Door’ is the newest single from his new album Sidereal Days (Day 2). Photo: Neilson Hubbard, used with permission.

Related Post: Bill Scorzari’s Sidereal Days (Day 1) is a Soulful Journey Across Time and Truth

New Single Alert: Bill Scorzari Opens the Door to “Sidereal Days (Day 2)”

HUNTINGTON, NY — Singer-songwriter and recording artist Bill Scorzari has officially unveiled “Open Door,” the third track from his highly anticipated sixth studio album, Sidereal Days (Day 2). (Dreamspider Publicity, 2026)

Scheduled for a full release on September 25, 2026, the new single is available to stream now. “Open Door” is an upbeat, folky love song that leans into traditional acoustic instrumentation, featuring a warm vocal duet between Scorzari and Megan McCormick.

The Inspiration Behind “Open Door”

Grounded in a sense of innocence and simplicity, the lyrics for “Open Door” began forming as far back as the early spring of 2013. Scorzari’s writing process is famously observational; he draws from a mosaic of life experiences, including:

  • Overheard conversations and personal memories.
  • The tactile imagery of melting snow or a coiled telephone cord.
  • Dreams, news stories, and literature.

By weaving these disparate threads together, Scorzari creates a cohesive narrative that feels intimate yet universal.

Single Art. Courtesy photo.

Catch Up on the Singles

If you haven’t started your journey through Sidereal Days (Day 2) yet, two other singles are currently streaming:

  • “I Stayed” – A stunning love-lost ballad featuring Scorzari’s lead vocals and acoustic guitar, accompanied by Erin Rae on harmony and the legendary “Shoals Sisters” (Marie Lewey and Cindy Richardson Walker).
  • “That’s A Good Thing” – A tender Americana roots track. At just 3 minutes and 14 seconds, it serves as a light, upbeat counterpoint to the album’s longer, more atmospheric compositions.

Completing the “Sidereal Days” Duology

Sidereal Days (Day 2) serves as the second half of a massive double-album project. Its predecessor, Day 1 (released October 17, 2025), received significant critical acclaim:

“Bill Scorzari possesses an ‘amorous vulnerability’…” — Robert Christgau, Consumer Guide (Grade: A)

The album also earned the #11 spot on Tom Hull’s “Best Non-Jazz Albums of 2025.” Across the 11 tracks on Day 2, Scorzari continues his exploration of interconnectedness, often presenting his lyrics as a lived-in conversation with the listener.

Album Art. Courtesy photo.

The Studio Band

To bring this vision to life, Scorzari collaborated with an elite group of musicians:

  • Bill Scorzari: Lead/harmony vocals, guitars, mandolin, banjo
  • Brad Talley: Dobro
  • Chelsea McGough: Cello
  • The Shoals Sisters (Cindy Richardson Walker & Marie Lewey): Backing vocals
  • Danny Mitchell: Piano, Hammond B3, flugelhorn, trumpet
  • Eamon McLoughlin: Violin/fiddle
  • Erin Rae & Megan McCormick: Harmony vocals
  • Joshua Britt: Mandolin, mandola
  • Juan Solorzano: Electric/pedal steel/baritone guitars, ganjo
  • Michael Rinne: Upright and electric bass
  • Neilson Hubbard: Drums and percussion

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Releases

Four additional singles will be released in the lead-up to the September 25th album launch:

  1. “I Think It’s Gonna Rain” – A haunting, cinematic piece written during a Florida thunderstorm.
  2. “I Know You Know” – An upbeat traveling song exploring the deep intuition of long-term relationships.
  3. “Middle Class Middle Child” – The album’s longest track (6:30), blending semi-autobiographical sentiments with emotional storytelling.
  4. “Sandcastles Waiting” – A melody-driven track years in the making, finalized during the 2024 recording sessions.

Listen to the latest singles on all major streaming platforms today.

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Newport’s Own Asher Brinson Drops Debut Bluegrass Album ‘Midnight Hurricane’

Asher Brinson. Photo: Sarah K. Photography, used with permission.

Coastal Rhythms & Bluegrass Roots: Asher Brinson Debuts ‘Midnight Hurricane’

Newport, North Carolina, has a new voice in bluegrass, and he’s playing it left-handed. Asher Brinson, the young picker and songwriter who has been turning heads from MerleFest to the IBMA, has officially released his debut album, Midnight Hurricane. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2026)

Blending refreshingly honest storytelling with the salt-air influence of the Carolina coast, Brinson’s debut is a standout in modern bluegrass collaboration.

A Self-Taught Journey to the Main Stage

Asher has been around music his entire life in family jams and the legendary circles of the Galax Fiddlers Convention. His talent caught the eye of the late, legendary luthier Wayne Henderson, who became a mentor and friend, even building Asher a rare, custom left-handed guitar.

Since then, Asher’s trajectory has been exceptional:

  • Mentorship: Studied under Christopher Henry (Noya Mountain Music Studio), who produced the new record.
  • The Stage: Shared spotlights at the Wayne C. Henderson Festival and recently joined The Travelin’ McCourys Young Guns Tour.
  • What’s Next: Catch him live at the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville (4/9), Ocrafolk Festival (6/5-7), and the Outer Banks Bluegrass Island Festival (10/15-17).

Inside the Tracks: Midnight Hurricane

The album features eight original songs, two traditional instrumentals, and a gritty Billy Strings cover. To bring these stories to life, Asher assembled an “all-star” studio band:

  • Asher Brinson: Lead Vocals & Guitar
  • Cory Walker: Banjo
  • Jason Carter: Fiddle
  • Christopher Henry: Bass & Mandolin

Album Highlights

“This song naturally evolved from living on the North Carolina coast, experiencing the late-night intensity of hurricanes—where you hear everything but see nothing.” — Asher Brinson on the title track.

SongFeaturingInspiration
“Midnight Hurricane”Sierra Hull & Lindsay LouThe sensory overload of coastal storms.
“Lonesome Hobo Song”Sam BushClassic tales of train hopping.
“And Why Is That”Smith Curry (Pedal Steel)A tribute to a family friend who lived on a sailboat.
“Queen Anne’s Waltz”Bronwyn Keith-HynesLocal maritime history and the swaying of a boat.
“Low Hanging Fruit”Sam BushThe very first song Asher ever wrote.

The record rounds out with the driving “I’m Going Back to Galax,” a nod to his competitive roots, and a high-energy cover of Billy Strings’ “Seven Weeks in County.”

Where to Hear Him

Asher Brinson is currently on the road, bringing his energy to stages across the Southeast. Whether it’s the underground depths of The Caverns or the salty breeze of the Outer Banks, Asher’s honest sound is one you don’t want to miss.

Stream Midnight Hurricane now and follow Asher’s journey as he carves out a new legacy in North Carolina music.

Album Cover. Photo: Sarah K. Photography

Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes: New Single Recorded at the Legendary Hyde Street Studios

Rock supergroup finds unity in an age of division – Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes. Photo: John Vigran, used with permission.

New Single: Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes Unleash “Animal Magic”

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Blending the grit of the blues, the warmth of Americana, and the heart of Memphis soul, West Coast supergroup Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes has officially released their latest single, “Animal Magic.” (Miller PR, 2026)

Recorded at the legendary Hyde Street Studios, the track serves as a sonic tribute to the deep connection between humans and the natural world.

The Supergroup Lineup

The ensemble brings together a staggering amount of musical history, featuring:

  • Michael Ward: Singer, songwriter, and producer.
  • Prairie Prince: Drums (The Tubes, Journey, Tom Waits, XTC).
  • Chris Von Sneidern: Guitar (John Wesley Harding, Chuck Prophet).
  • Richard Howell: Saxophone (Etta James, Earth, Wind & Fire).
  • Marc Levine: Bass (Barry Manilow).
  • Fernando DeSanjines: Percussion (Chalo Eduardo, Escola Nova).
  • Joshua Raoul Brody: Keyboards (The Residents, BATS Improv).

The Philosophy Behind “Animal Magic”

For Michael Ward, the band’s name and this new single aren’t just clever metaphors. They represent a lifelong philosophy of coexistence.

The seeds for the song were planted 33 years ago when a five-month-old dog wandered into Ward’s studio in the Tenderloin. That moment sparked a decades-long partnership that redefined Ward’s view on interspecies companionship.

“All animals, when carefully considered, exhibit the commonality of just getting by in this fragile accident that is life on earth. Interspecies love, such as that between dogs and humans, is a prime and precious example of evolutionary success.” — Michael Ward

In an era of division, Animal Magic leans into oneness, reminding listeners that togetherness is an instinct, not an ideology.

Recording at a San Francisco Landmark

The single was tracked in Studio A at Hyde Street Studios, a space owned by Ward and designated as a San Francisco Legacy Business.

Formerly known as Wally Heider Studios, these rooms are the “last great temple of the San Francisco Sound.” This is the same soil that yielded landmark albums such as:

  • The Grateful Dead – American Beauty
  • Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – Déjà Vu

By recording here, the band honors a legacy of analog craft and musical continuity rather than mere nostalgia.

Catch Them Live

Following the success of their album Brighter Days, the band is heading East for a rare performance at one of New York City’s most storied listening rooms:

The band continues to perform in honor of the late Drew Zingg (Steely Dan), channeling his incredible musical lineage into their forward-moving sound.

About Michael Ward with Dogs and Fishes

Since 2000, this progressive American rock band has been defined by lyrical depth and “musical telepathy.” With over two decades of performance history, the group balances deep roots with exploratory musicianship, ensuring every arrangement has room to breathe.

“Animal Magic” is out now.

Animal Magic single artwork. Courtesy photo.

Dynamic Guitar Duo: Keel & Stickley’s Self-Titled EP Drops September 5

Two master guitarists with distinct, complementary personalities join together for bold music full of depth, energy, and inspiration. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Larry Keel & Jon Stickley Release Debut Duo EP

ASHEVILLE, NC — Larry Keel and Jon Stickley have long been recognized as two of the finest flatpicking guitarists of this generation. Now, they’ve joined forces to celebrate the pure joy of acoustic guitar music with their new duo project. Their chemistry is undeniable—effortlessly weaving rhythm and lead, creating an intimate conversation between two guitars and two voices, while maintaining their own distinct musical personalities. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2025)

Their self-titled debut EP, Larry Keel and Jon Stickley, will be independently released on September 5. Pre-save/Pre-order here.

A Duo Years in the Making

“I’ve wanted this project to happen for so long!” Keel says. “Jon and I have been on many of the same bills all over the place for so many years, teaming up in jams, sit-ins, and campfire pickings, and yet we’ve never gotten our fill of playing together as guitar players—which we both seem to crave. So, now we’ve put this guitar duo act in motion, playing shows and making a record, and it feels great getting to scratch that itch.”

About the EP

The five-track collection blends lyrical songwriting with adventurous instrumentals:

  • “Future Ghost” – A shredding, dynamic instrumental that highlights the duo’s contrasting styles. Stickley describes the interplay as “very freeing and exhilarating.”
  • “Sailor Suit” – A cover of Steve McMurry’s 1990s Acoustic Syndicate tune, with Stickley on lead vocals.
  • “Pioneers” – Written by Keel during a 1990s tour along the Oregon Trail, this track reflects on the journeys of early settlers in the American West.
  • “Take the Air” – A Stickley original, inspired by David Grisman and Tony Rice, written in 7/4 time during the pandemic as a meditative, uplifting riff.
  • “Starborn” – Classic Keel: upbeat yet tinged with melancholy, closing with a spacey outro that serves as a tribute to a released soul.

Together, these songs push the boundaries of two-guitar arrangements, resulting in a progressive and compelling acoustic collection.

“Pioneers” is out as an early single. Stream/buy here.

Festival Favorites

Keel and Stickley are no strangers to the stage. Both have been staples on the bluegrass, Americana, and jam band circuits for years, sharing late-night jams and festival stages at Strings and Sol, Jam Cruise, DelFest, Hulaween, Suwannee Spring Reunion, Roots Revival, Hoxeyville, The Bender Jamboree, WinterWonderGrass, and Billy Strings’ Renewal, among many others.

✨ The Keel Stickley Duo brings raw virtuosity, creative spirit, and late-night jam energy to every note. Their debut EP is just the beginning of an inspired new chapter in their musical journey.

Larry Keel and Jon Stickley track listing
1.) Future Ghost (2:34)
2.) Sailor Suit (4:07)
3.) Pioneers (3:24)
4.) Take the Air (2:56)
5.) Starborn (4:03)

Produced by Larry Keel and Jon Stickley
Recorded/Engineered by James McLaughlin
Mastered by Crystal Mastering
Artwork/Design by Luther Blevins

Western Swing Royalty: Asleep at the Wheel Drops Star-Studded Title Track

‘Riding High In Texas’ is the newest single from their forthcoming album. Photo: Bismeaux Records/Signature Sounds Recordings, used with permission.

Asleep at the Wheel Releases New Single “Riding High In Texas” Ahead of Forthcoming Album

Austin, TX — In celebration of their 50+ years as a cornerstone of Texas music, legendary Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel has released the title track of their new album, Riding High In Texas, out August 22 via Bismeaux Records and Signature Sounds Recordings. (IV-PR, 2025)

The track, “Riding High In Texas,” was originally written by bluegrass great Peter Rowan and first appeared on his 1980 LP Medicine Trail. This new version features Ian Stewart—the band’s newest member—on lead vocals, delivering a quick, twangy take on the song.

In a nod to Rowan’s bluegrass roots, bandleader Ray Benson invited modern-day guitar phenom Billy Strings to lend his virtuosic picking to the track.

“Love everything about this song,” says Benson. “It also made for a great title for the record. Ian can yodel, and having Billy Strings play guitar on it… took it to a whole new level.”

The song’s hook—
“Let’s go riding high in Texas in my mind / Said sometimes I feel I gotta leave this crazy world behind”—
rings out with the band’s signature harmonies, pedal steel, and fiddles, all elevated by Strings’ unmistakable flatpicking.

Holler. premiered the track and its accompanying music video, calling it an “effortlessly cool road anthem with their signature pedal steel and fiddle licks.”

The video features Stewart on horseback, singing through the streets of Austin. Intercut with footage of saddle bronc riders and full-band performances at Dallas’ Longhorn Ballroom and Benson’s Austin studio, the video captures the Lone Star spirit that defines the band’s sound and this record.

🎵 Hear previously released singles “Texas In My Soul” and “Texas.”
📦 Pre-order or pre-save the full album Riding High In Texas.

🎉 Coming Up: Hall of Fame Induction

On August 9, Asleep at the Wheel will be officially inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

Riding High In Texas tracklist:
Riding High In Texas
Texas In My Soul
Long Tall Texan
Texas
Texas Cookin’
Lonesome Pine Special
T for Texas (Blue Yodel #1)
All My Exes (Live in Texas)
There’s Still a Lot of Love in San Antone
Beaumont Rag

Catch Asleep At The Wheel On Tour

August
Wednesday, August 6 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
Thursday, August 7 – Vienna, VA – Filene Center (with Lyle Lovett)
Saturday, August 9 – Carthage, TX – Texas Country Music Hall of Fame
Wednesday, August 13 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
Thursday, August 14 – Norwalk, CT – District Music Hall
Friday, August 15 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theatre
Saturday, August 16 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley
Sunday, August 17 – New York, NY – City Winery New York City
Tuesday, August 19 – Kent, OH – Kent Stage
Wednesday, August 20 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

‘Suitcase Blues’: Shelby Means Hits the Road with Her Solo Debut

Shelby Means gets help from her all-star friends for a heartfelt road song, “Suitcase Blues.” It’s the latest single from the Maya de Vitry-produced self-titled solo debut. Photo: Hunter McRae, used with permission.

Shelby Means Packs Up the “Suitcase Blues” and Heads Down a New Road

“I had driven out of Nashville hundreds of times as a touring musician, but this time I was packed up and moving to a different city,” says songwriter, singer, and bassist Shelby Means.

Known for her dynamic work with world-class string bands like Della Mae and the GRAMMY-winning Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Means is now stepping into the spotlight with her debut solo album, Shelby Means. The bittersweet memory of leaving Nashville is captured in her latest single “Suitcase Blues.” (IV-PR, 2025)

Backed by an all-star lineup—Billy Strings on harmony vocals, along with Bryan Sutton, Michael Cleveland, Ron Block, and Sam Bush—the track offers a poignant twist on the classic road song.

“Bryan, Michael, Ron, and Sam brought incredible life and depth to the recording,” Means shares. “Already a very strong collaboration with the band, I was honored that Billy Strings agreed to sing harmony. His voice and energy mixing with mine and the sentiment of the song paint a vivid picture of chasing down a dream on the open road.”

Musically, “Suitcase Blues” rolls forward on a moody chord progression, its trepidation mirrored in the interplay of fiddle and banjo, with tasteful flourishes on guitar and a brief, emotive mandolin solo. The lyrics tell a story many touring musicians know all too well:

“I don’t know when I’ll be back
I gotta go with Cackalack Jack
It’s a lonesome road that I choose
Packing up my suitcase blues”

🎧 Listen now: Stream or purchase “Suitcase Blues.”
📀 Explore more music: Check out previously released singles — “Farm Girl,” “Streets of Boulder,” and “Million Reasons.”
🛒 Pre-order the full album: Shelby Means arrives May 30. Pre-order now.
💾 Want to pre-save on Spotify? Click here.

🎶 Catch Shelby Means on Tour

May 23 – WMOT Finally Friday @ 3rd and Lindsley – Nashville, TN
June 4 – The Ramkat & Gas Hill Drinking Room – Winston Salem, NC
June 6 – Midwood Guitar Studio – Charlotte, NC
June 7 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC 🌟 Album Release Show
June 25 – The 5 Spot – Nashville, TN 🌟 Album Release Show
July 4 – Soundcheck Summer Music Series – Pinedale, WY
July 6 – Hot House West – Salt Lake City, UT
July 13 – Means House Concert – Laramie, WY
July 17 – Big View House Concerts – Westcliffe, CO
July 18 – Music on the Green – Telluride, CO 🎤 with Maya de Vitry
July 25 – RockyGrass – Lyons, CO 🎤 with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
August 22 – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC 🎤 with Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
October 18 – Henderson Bluegrass – Henderson, NV
October 20 – WoodSongs – Lexington, KY
October 22 – Red Barn Radio – Lexington, KY

📍 See all tour dates online.

🌾 About Shelby Means

Shelby Means was born in the bluegrass of Kentucky and raised on the high plains of Wyoming. With nearly two decades of experience across bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana, and country, she’s one of the most respected upright bassists in the roots music world.

During her years in Nashville, she was a core member of the GRAMMY-nominated Della Mae, bringing her magnetic presence and deep rhythmic pocket to stages across the globe. She’s since toured nearly 30 countries as a musical diplomat and collaborated with some of the genre’s finest artists.

Now based in Charleston, SC, Means also performs with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, earning her first GRAMMY with the group’s 2023 release, City of Gold. Her accolades include multiple IBMA awards for her work with both Della Mae and Golden Highway.

With her upcoming solo debut, Means opens a new chapter—blending tradition with individuality, heartache with hope, and musicianship with soul.

From NPR to the Grand Ole Opry, Telluride, Bonnaroo, Newport Folk, and beyond, Shelby Means is forging a path that’s both grounded and boundless.

Shelby Means album cover. Courtesy photo,used with permission.

Max Wareham’s Daggomit!: The Story Behind His Debut Album

Banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham announces debut, Peter Rowan-produced album Daggomit! Photo: Sasha Pedro, used with permission.

Whether on archaeological digs or translating medieval poetry, the past has always been a north star for banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham. His commitment to early innovators of the banjo shines on Daggomit!, his debut album of soulful original songs, highlighted by the hard-driving chemistry of Nashville’s preeminent bluegrass stars. Wareham tours nationally with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, bringing his creativity to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Ryman Auditorium, Merlefest, Green Mountain Bluegrass Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and many more, as well as with his own band, Max Wareham and the National Bluegrass Team. (IV PR, 2024)

“It brings me back to my childhood,” says Max Wareham of his new single “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home,” “camping in the woods of New York state and longing for a simpler time.” Forever a student of bluegrass tradition, Wareham has tapped into a very real feeling that can be found all the way back before the genre had its name; part nostalgia, part yearning. 

“I wrote this one a while back,” says Wareham. “Then I took it to Peter Rowan, who proceeded to disassemble it completely and put it back together in a way that made more sense.” The tutelage of his bandleader boss Rowan helped to hone Wareham’s arrangement into a beautifully simple melody with ample room for instrumental embellishment and crystalline harmonies by former members of the Grammy-nominated band, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Laura Orshaw and Josh Rinkel. 

MAGNET Magazine shared an early premiere of “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home.” Fans can stream or purchase “Lonesome Blues” at this link.

“Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home” is the latest single from Wareham’s upcoming debut album, Daggomit!, which was produced by Rowan and is due out on February 21. Fans are encouraged to check out Wareham’s previously released single “Hard Times Are Far Behind” at this link and pre-order or pre-save Daggomit! ahead of its February release right here.

Wareham is currently touring with Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team, featuring international mandolin prodigy Jean Baptiste Cardineau, singer and guitarist Walker Russell, and Boston bass stalwart Emma Turoff. Tour dates for Warham & the National Bluegrass Team as well as Wareham’s appearances with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band can be found online.

Produced by legendary grasser Peter Rowan and recorded by multi-Grammy-winning engineer Sean Sullivan, Daggomit! features Chris Eldridge and David Grier on guitar, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, and Larry Atamanuik on snare drum; a group of stars making the initial listen of the album worth the price of admission, alone. But fans will undoubtedly stick around for the stories Wareham tells throughout the 13-song collection. Stories from a lifetime of experiences and feelings that together tell the story of exactly what makes Max Max. 

Daggomit! tracklist:
Walking In Jerusalem
Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home
The Black & Gold
That’s Just Part Of It
Heartaches
Rexford Falls
Gone, Baby, Gone
I Remember
Hard Times Are Far Behind
Cattails
Bar Blues
Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Miles

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John Mailander’s ‘Let The World In’: The Soul-Stirring New Album

John Mailander’s Forecast to independently release ‘Let The World In’ on January 24, 2025. Photo: Emily Walis, used with permission.

Nashville Tenn. —  John Mailander’s Forecast is excited to independently release Let The World In on January 24, 2025, on CD, vinyl, and digitally. Forecast is a Nashville-based collective of visionary musicians led by acclaimed performer, producer, composer, educator, and recording artist John Mailander, known for his voice on the fiddle and other stringed instruments. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2024)

Forecast is John Mailander on fiddle, keys, and electronics; Ethan Jodziewicz on upright and fretless electric bass; Chris Lippincott on steel guitars, keys, and electronics; Mark Raudabaugh on drums and percussion, Jake Stargel on acoustic guitar, and David Williford on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet.

Produced by Mailander, Let The World In was recorded by Brook Sutton at The Studio Nashville, assisted by Will Tyson and Maeve Graham. It was mixed by Daniel Rice and mastered by Wayne Pooley. With nine tracks, four of which are shorter free improvs, all but “Road” are original instrumentals. 

The songs show a crossover from the jazz side of things and more into the jam band world, especially with the first single—a Nick Drake song, “Road,” which is available to stream and buy now.

“‘Road’ has been a bit of a mantra to me over the past couple of years. I haven’t always considered myself much of a singer, but it felt important for me to sing this one myself on the album. Lyrically, I feel like it ties into the themes of the album as a whole, and it’s a great vehicle for jamming as a band. This track captures a lot of the vibe of what we do live.” – John Mailander

The song was described as “majestic and expansive” by JamBase, who debuted the Grouch Bucket-animated video that accompanied it. In their feature, they went into deeper detail with John about “Road” and the entire album. 

Let The World In is the spiritual third in a trilogy of “Forecast” records and the second “true” album as a band since 2021’s Look Closer, which was recorded during the pandemic. Originally assembled for the live debut of John’s 2019 album Forecast, the group adopted the name for a series of residency shows in Nashville at Dee’s Lounge. John Mailander’s Forecast has since developed a dedicated following through their adventurous improvisations, singular collaborations, and genre-bending, exuberant musical explorations.

The album opens with 18 seconds of the band candidly gathering to warm up, culminating in the count-off to “Let The World In.” The title track is a Forecast sound collage in which Mailander explores on fiddle and Wurlitzer, and the ambiance is enhanced further with the addition of the “Let The World In Sound Freedom Expressionists” (Hannah Delynn, Maya De Vitry, Gibb Droll, Ella Korth, Lindsay Lou, and Royal Masat).

Other compositions include the bluesy, whimsical, and mysterious “Gardener,” the string-layered “Chapters,” and the peaceful Metheny/Hornsby-inspired “Heartland,” which showcases Stargel’s imaginative guitar solo along with a Jodziewicz arco bass feature and Mailander’s piano playing. 

“(improvisations 1)” and “(2)” are short pieces that were spontaneously composed by Forecast during the end of their daily recording sessions. “(reprise),” bookends the album with a reinterpretation of the title track’s cinematic main melody, with Mailander again on piano. Let The World In is meant to be played as a whole listening experience. Play this album loud.

Along with “conducting” the Forecast, Mailander is a member of Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. His playing can be heard on albums by Billy Strings (including the Grammy-winning album Home), Noah Kahan, Joy Williams, Lucy Dacus, Molly Tuttle, Joe K. Walsh, Chatham County Line, and many more. John is currently on tour with Sam Grisman Project.

Let The World In Track Listing:

(open) (0:18)

Let The World In (6:52)

Gardener (4:40)

(improvisation 1) (1:15)

Chapters (2:55)

Heartland (6:22)

(improvisation 2) (1:44)

Road (9:25)

(reprise) (1:47)

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Embracing Vulnerability: Maya de Vitry’s Journey in The Only Moment

Maya de Vitry’s The Only Moment will be out July 12. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Maya de Vitry’s vibrant voice seems to rise out of some necessity of bringing songs to life, embracing listeners with what Folk Alley calls a “soulful intimacy.” She grew up in a musical family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, understanding music to be a place of gathering, a way to spend a summer night around a campfire. Maya first traveled and performed as a fiddling street musician, and then in bars, theaters, and on festival stages as a founding member of The Stray Birds (2010-2018). Since the band parted ways in 2018, Maya has been devotedly creating a powerful new body of work—one that consistently blurs genre while showcasing her delight in storytelling and her extraordinarily dynamic singing. In addition to performing and recording, Maya is a sought-after co-writer and co-creator and has been steadily and closely collaborating within her chosen musical community of Nashville, Tennessee, for nearly a decade. (IV-PR, 2024)

Her latest single, “Odds of Getting Even,” owes its inspiration to an unlikely figure in the greater Americana world: the late, great soul and funk singer, Sharon Jones. “I really wanted to do this one justice, for this song to feel as alive and exuberant as I think it wants to be – and I just honestly couldn’t find that in myself for a while. But this finally felt like the perfect band and moment in my own life for me to sing this one,” she says, having compiled her Nashville “bar band” of A-list, next-generation players for this new batch of songs. “I feel especially lucky to have my friend Phoebe Hunt singing harmony. She’s on the whole record, but on this song I just think she’s absolute magic.” 

“Odds of Getting Even” is the latest single to be released from Maya de Vitry’s upcoming self-produced album The Only Moment—out July 12. Fans can stream or purchase “Odds of Getting Even,” check out de Vitry’s previously released single, “Compass,” and pre-order The Only Moment ahead of its July 12 release. 

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The Only Moment tracklist:

Nothing Else Matters

Compass

Odds of Getting Even

I’m Not Going Anywhere

If They Feel Like Wings

Some Rent

Burning Building

Addicted

Watching the Whole Sky Change

Ribbon

Produced by Maya de Vitry and mixed by Grammy-award-winning engineer Justin Francis (Madison Cunningham), The Only Moment is an unabashed blend of indie folk, indie rock, and indie pop, with elements of Americana and alt-country. Recorded at Phantom Studios in Gallatin, TN, the album captures the unfettered energy and occasional chaos of de Vitry’s Nashville “bar band,” featuring Anthony da Costa on electric guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz on electric bass, and Dominic Billet on drums. These three musicians played a pivotal role in nurturing de Vitry’s vision, crafting atmospheres around her songs that feel unrestricted by notions of genre.

Catch Maya de Vitry on tour:
June 21 – Tryon, NC – Summer Tracks Music Series
July 12 – Nashville, TN – Finally Friday w/ WMOT at 3rd & Lindsley
July 20 – Bethlehem, NH – Colonial Theatre (co-bill w/ Griffin William Sherry)
July 26-27 – South Hiram, ME – Ossipee Music Festival
August 31 – Erwin, TN – Sol Slam Mountain Jam
September 24 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Lounge
September 25 – Cambridge, MA – Club Passim
September 26 – Portland, ME – Oxbow
September 27 – Brooklyn, NY – Owl Music Parlor
September 28 – Lancaster, PA – West Art
September 29 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
October 1 – Evanston, IL – Space
October 3 – Milwaukee, WI – Anodyne
October 4 – Madison, WI – Shitty Barn
October 5 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center (supporting Robin & Linda Williams)
November 1 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Caffe Lena
November 2 – Lincoln, VT – Burnham Presents

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The Only Moment release date

Lord Buffalo: Holus Bolus Album by Austin Psychedelic-Americana Band

Lord Buffalo’s new album Holus Bolus will be released July 12, 2024. Photo: Metal Injection

Austin heavy psychedelic-Americana band Lord Buffalo recently released a new single from their forthcoming album Holus Bolus. CvltNation shares “I Wait on The Door Slab” single HERE. Also now streaming on Bandcamp and all DSPs HERE. (US/THEM Group, 2024)

Metal Injection previously launched the title track and official video for “Holus Bolus” HERE.

Lord Buffalo is Daniel Pruitt (guitar, bass, piano, vocals, melodica), Garrett Hellman (guitar, sub-bass, piano, synths), Patrick Patterson (violin), and Yamal Said (drums, percussion).

Lord Buffalo is heavy in the way that ghosts are heavy… in the way that billowing dust is heavy.

That is to say, the Austin, TX Psych-Americana band’s music impacts hard, though it seems impossible to touch. Their sound flows through us, it doesn’t invite the Pavlovian response of typical heavy rock music

Perhaps it’s fitting then that their new album Holus Bolus takes its name from an antiquated term meaning “all at once.” It materializes instantly from the first notes of the opening title track, like a dark grey haze drawing listeners in with the band’s deft juxtapositions of droning violin, guitars, drums and vocals. It draws equally from Morricone and Badalementi as from Sabbath and Swans.

While the quartet trudges the same murky waters as dark emotive brethren David Eugene Edwards/Woven Hand, Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, Earth/Dylan Carlson, Echo & The Bunnymen, and Nick Cave, their creative interplay of Middle Eastern influence with a distinctly Western feel takes listeners in entirely new directions as the album envelops them. Holus Bolus was recorded by Danny Reisch and Max Lorenzen at Good Danny’s in Lockhart, TX. Mixed by Danny Reisch. Mastered by Max Lorenzen.

“While the making of this record feels a bit like a sleep-deprived hallucination to me. Listening to it now, I find it strangely hopeful — there’s a kind of release that you hit in exhaustion. I think the record knew what it was after, even if we didn’t. It felt very much like the record just appeared one day, holus bolus.” – Daniel Pruitt

Holus Bolus will be available worldwide on vinyl, CD, and digital via Blues Funeral Recordings on July 12, 2024. Pre-order HERE.

Artist: Lord Buffalo
Album: Holus Bolus
Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
Release Date: July 12, 2024

Courtesy album photo, used with permission

Holus Bolus

Slow Drug

Passing Joy

Malpaisano

I Wait on the Door Slab

Cracks in the Vermeer

Rowing in Eden

“Known for their atmospheric spin on folk-rock, at times sounding like the Anthology of American Folk Music beamed from outer space.” — NPR Music

“A dusky, moody, roots-quaking disc of tension and release.” — Austin Chronicle

“Lord Buffalo masterfully mixes straightforward, stoner-tinged rock with more violin-driven post-rock tones into one beautifully captivating sound that everyone should be familiar with.” — Metal Injection

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Holus Bolus release date