• listen

    Mouth Painter announces new album Tropicale Moon, shares first single

    Mouth Painter is Barry Walker, Jr. (guitar, pedal steel, vocals), Valerie Osterberg (flute, saw, percussion, effects, vocals), and Jason Willmon (bass). Today they announce their third album, Tropicale Moon, and share the first single, “A Yardin’ I Once Went.” Tropicale Moon is out September 3 on Arrowhawk Records (digital/cassette) and Feeding Tube / Cardinal Fuzz Records (LP). Pre-order here. Of the song, Barry Walker, Jr. says: One of our close…

  • playlists

    Desert Sandscapes : A Playlist

    Those who dwell in the desert tend to strongly identify with their terrain and integrate the landscape into their identity. We are the desert people. There’s a phenomenon I’m noticing in which people who call the desert home leave only to explore other arid zones. I meet people from Tucson who come to Joshua Tree for the month of August, or those who “escape” to Needles for inspiration and rejuvenation,…

  • reviews

    Cameron Knowler – Places of Consequence

    In Cameron I recognize what many other desert dwellers, or those born within it seem to intrinsically understand – how sound is inextricably bound to place, how landscapes influence song, and how aesthetics are the other side of the coin of music, somehow. After this year’s earlier release with fellow guitarist and best mate Eli Winter and our conversation about Cameron’s musical roots and interests (and how they diverge from…

  • interviews

    Above and Beyond with Johanna Samuels

    Johanna Samuels isn’t a person who loafs around when touring slows down. She had a busy ass year while staying at home, organizing, community building, and writing copious amounts of songs. As we began to see the light, she released her gorgeous album Excelsior!, a deeply personal album dealing with topics ranging from love, sexual assault, the state of the world, death and loss. The album was named for how…

  • playlists

    Xisco Rojo – Transfigurations : A Guest Mix

    Madrid-based guitarist Xisco Rojo recently released a shockingly gorgeous album of drone-meets-Spanish-guitar, an enigmatic, darkly psychedelic record called Transfigurations about the power and magic of love. Intricate guitar compositions are accompanied by twinkling chimes upon the album’s opening, and Xisco adeptly uses the space between notes to add an aura of intrigue and sorcery. This record comes six years after Xisco’s last full-length studio release, entitled You Got to Walk…

  • reviews

    Ben Reddell Band – ¡LA Baby!

    Texas native-turned-Angeleno Ben Reddell honors both his adopted city and his homeland of Texas on his EP, LA Baby, out today. LA has a storied history of honky tonks, but unfortunately, few of the historic ones are still operating. However, one person is responsible for keeping that outlaw spirit alive and well in California and that’s Ben who hosts and organizes the Grand Ole Echo, originally founded by Kim Grant.…

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    Nico Hedley premieres “Waking Dreams”

    Nico Hedley announces a new album, Painterly, out September 3rd via Whatever’s Clever. The first single “Waking Dreams” proves that you can make country record in New York City. With lush instrumentation and Nico’s introspective lyrics, it’s a fresh-sounding spin on classical countrypolitan. Personnel includes Ryan El-Solh on guitar, Carmen Rothwell on double bass, Jeff Widner on drums, and Adam Robinson on horns. Drew Citron adds backing vocals on this…

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    Yola shares “Starlight” from upcoming album Stand For Myself

    The amazing Yola announced a new record, out 7/30, and today releases this anthem to sex positivity and liberation. Eschewing conservative social norms, “Starlight” celebrates love, romance, and ultimately the route to self-love through those normative relationships that may not be tied to tradition. Softly lit, Yola’s powerful, towering voice creates a soundtrack to this beautiful piece of film. I wanted to put something into the world that showed people…

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    Jeff Mix and The Songhearts’ “Speed of The Sound of Loneliness” from upcoming John Prine tribute, Kiss My Ass Goodbye

    Nashville label Devil’s Tower Records and Portland’s Groove Family Records have announced a limited vinyl release of Kiss My Ass Goodbye, an official Record Store Day release (7/17) featuring legendary and emerging artists from Nashville, Las Vegas, Athens, Seattle, Chicago and beyond paying tribute to everyone’s favorite songwriter. Proceeds benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. On Friday, the first single from the compilation was released, Jeff Mix and the Songhearts’ “Speed…