Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Amigo The Devil

Amigo the Devil is a pretty unique songwriter. His songs are hard to pin down, both sonically and lyrically. He calls his sound “Dark Folk” which is pretty accurate. But it’s more than that. He draws on various influences to create a sonic landscape that is sparse, and intriguing. His lyrics often focus on heavy issues of death, religion, even ethics. In the end his songwriting is fascinating and leaves you thinking about things long after the song is over. I had a chance to chat with him about his new album “Born Against.” I hope you dig it!

The Accidentals

The Accidentals are, in their own words, a female-fronted multi-instrumentalist power trio. I like that description. The Michigan based band has been writing and recording music for a number of years now. Their sound eccompasses many genres including folk, indie, orchestral, and pop. Their upcoming EP is a collection of songs they wrote during the pandemic that reflect on the state of our current culture. I had a chance to chat with Sav, Katie and Michael about this release, and their band. It was a fun chat. Make sure to check them out, they’re young but they are crazy talented and I look forward to hearing from them in the years to come. I hope ya dig it!

Krista Shows

Krista Shows is a singer-songwriter living in North Carolina. Last year she put out an album called “Prone To Wander” on Dial Back Sounds, a label headed-up by Drive By Truckers’ bassist Matt Patton. This May they are putting the album out on vinyl. I got a chance to chat with Krista about the album, and the songs she wrote for it. She has a distinct sound, and the album captures a great vibe. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Garrison Star

Garrison Starr is a songwriter and performer who has been putting out albums since the 90s. She has a distinct style that gets to the heart of issues. Her recent album “Girl I Used To Be” reflects on her religious upbringing and her rejection from that world. Evangelical Christianity is anything but accepting of the LGBTQ community, and when Garrison was open about her sexuality it became an issue. 
 
The album is intimate, and poignant. The songs reflect on, and try to make peace with the trauma of rejection. I appreciate it when artists have the guts to be vulnerable, and share a piece of themselves. Garrison and I  had a great conversation, I hope ya dig it.

Cristina Vane

Cristina Vane recently released her debut full length album called "Nowhere Sounds Lovely." It's an eclectic blend of blues and roots music. She's a phenomenal instrumentalist, playing slide guitar among other instruments on the album. Her influences are broad including blues musicians like Blind Willie Johnson. We had a great talk about her musicals career, this new album, and her songwriting. I hope ya dig it!

Ariel Posen

Israel Nash is a singer songwriter from Dripping Springs TX. His new album was produced by Adrain Quesada of the Black Pumas, and recorded at Israel’s home in Texas. The album has an ethereal and mystical sound that draws you in. His lyrics are thoughtful, and arranged in a way that draws out the somber tones of the music. I had a chance to chat with him about this album, his songs, and what he’s been up to during the pandemic.

Israel Nash

Israel Nash is a singer songwriter from Dripping Springs TX. His new album was produced by Adrain Quesada of the Black Pumas, and recorded at Israel’s home in Texas. The album has an ethereal and mystical sound that draws you in. His lyrics are thoughtful, and arranged in a way that draws out the somber tones of the music. I had a chance to chat with him about this album, his songs, and what he’s been up to during the pandemic. I hope you dig it.

David Huckfelt

David Huckfelt is a singer songwriter with a strong connection to Native American history and culture. His recent record, in his words, is about restoring balance: space and attention, peace and equality, redeeming the marginalized, and remembering the forgotten.  It's a new expression of the ancient ritual and power of songs to weave a web of resilience and protection over our land, our loves, and our resistance. I spoke with him recently about these songs, and his connection to this land and its people. I hope ya dig it.

Jade Brodie

Jade Brodie is a singer-songwriter living in the rural town of Winnemucca Nevada. Originally from the Sonoma CA area, she moved to Nevada with the railroad company she works for. Last month she released a couple of songs that have a great honky tonk sound, “Making History” and “Split my Tooth” that reflect on working class life, and blue collar issues. I had a chance to chat with her about her music. I hope you dig it!

Dave Alvin

Dave Alvin is an iconic American musician. Growing up in Los Angeles he was exposed to legendary blues musicians as a teenager. He went on to form the band “The Blasters” and also played with the seminal LA punk band “X.” His career has spanned decades and he’s been involved in many projects. But his love for American roots music has been evident throughout his career. Last year he put out an album called “From An Old Guitar” as well as a psychedelic jam project with a group called “The Third Mind.” I had a chance to chat with Dave about his music, and these albums. I hope ya dig it!