The Delines, Josienne Clarke, John Calvin Abney and Evan J Cartwright

Continuing with these quick late night round ups of releases that I love. Kicking off this in Portland, Oregon with the brand new album The Sea Drift from country soul masters The Delines. The band led by Amy Boone and Willy Vlautin have again created a truly captivating album. Willy Vlautin is a first class storyteller and Amy Boone’s mesmerizing voice sends his words into my heart. It’s kinda early, but this one has a guaranteed place on my eoty list if the blog/world still exists at the end of 2022. Here are a couple of the singles from the album. Check out that Bandcamp link or your favorite record store to buy/hear the whole beautiful thing.

The Delines Website

Moving over to Scotland for the new Josienne Clarke EP I Promised You Light that came out on the 4th of February on Corduroy Punk Records. If I still wrote actual reviews this is one of those that might get full five hearts. The promised light might not be flashy or flamboyant, but it has the power to sparkle through every barrier I’ve foolishly set for myself and I love everything about this. Here’s the music video for the lead single Driving at Night with another fabulous EP cut, but make sure you buy / listen the whole thing on her Bandcamp.

Josienne Clarke Website

Let’s wrap this small blog entry with a couple of album announcements with a lead single. First a long time blog favorite John Calvin Abney from Oklahoma. Well actually it looks like he is currently living Austin, Texas. However, the place that he calls home right now is somewhat irrelevant. Far more important is that his new song Holy Golden West is ready to find a home in your heart and the full album Tourist will knock the same door in August. Check out the new music video by filmmaker Rahul Chakraborty and pre-order the album from Black Mesa Records.

John Calvin Abney Website

And last stop on this tour is Toronto, Canada and the lead single from the forthcoming Evan J Cartwright album. The drummer extraordinaire (The Weather Station, U.S. Girls etc) is getting ready to release his debut album and it will come out on the always great Idee Fixe Records. I’m very fond of this first outtake and you’ve got nobuddy and there’s something strangely captivating in this simple music video as well. There may not be a whole lot going on, but somehow I ended up watching it several times in a row. I look forward to hearing the full album when it arrives on the 15th of April.

Evan J Cartwright at Bandcamp

Continue Reading

Micah Schnabel, Mikayla McVey and Carson McHone

A new single from long time favorite Micah Schnabel? Well count me in for sure. Coin$tar is out on Bandcamp and I already bought my digital copy of it. Check out this moving picture of the loveliest thieves first and then hit the Bandcamp link for this and other gems from Micah’s song vault.

Micah Schnabel at Facebook

From last Friday’s single highlights to album highlights. One of them is definitely Mikayla McVey’s debut full-length Time Turns Everything that was released by Long Road Society. A beautiful and engaging album full of great songs. This one works best with headphones. Not that they are must. Here’s the music video for New Year along with another album cut On Naming (feat Twain). Hit the links on that Bandcamp to buy/listen the whole wonderful album.

Mikayla McVey Website

Wrapping this little blog entry with something brand new, because the latest single from Carson McHone’s forthcoming Daniel Romano-produced album Still Life surfaced earlier today. It’s called Only Lovers and sound mighty good just like the earlier advance singles. The album will hit the stores and our hearts on the 25th of February and it will be released by Merge Records and Loose Music.

Carson McHone Website

Continue Reading

Dakota Hall Scott, Scott Ballew and Joshua Hedley

Major news alert! There’s a new Dakota Hall Scott song in this world and an album Bakersfield, CA will follow sometime fairly soon. I think I’ve read about early March release, but I’m not sure is that set in stone. The wonderful lead single is called All You Do Is Take and you can listen to it and pre-order the album on his Bandcamp page. Oh and if you haven’t listened to his 2019 (should-be) classic My Body Longed For the Summer, I suggest doing that immediately. One of the finest folk singer-songwriter album of recent years.

Dakota Hall Scott Website

Another lead single that I’ve been loving lately is this beauty from Austin-based folk songwriter Scott Ballew. The song Blue Eyes is an outtake from his forthcoming album Leisure Rodeo.

Scott Ballew Website

Kicking this up a notch and wrapping this short blog entry with another lead single. This time from Nashville-based country songwriter Joshua Hedley who has signed with New West Records and is getting ready to release a new full-length in April. The gorgeous first single and title track Neon Blue is here now with an entertaining music video.

Joshua Hedley Website

Continue Reading