No Depression: Roots Music & Culture Journalism

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Songs of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan Get a Revealing Spin in ‘Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow’

ALBUM REVIEW: The Songs of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan Get a Revealing Spin in ‘Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow’

Tom Waits, the singer, is not necessarily the best interpreter of Tom Waits, the songwriter. Over the past half-century, the gravelly warbler has created a singular body of work, much of it composed in collaboration with spouse Kathleen Brennan. But his harsh voice, a blend of Howlin’ Wolf, Captain Beefheart,

Marisa Anderson Brings a World of ‘UnAmerican’ Music To Her Guitar

Marisa Anderson Brings a World of ‘UnAmerican’ Music To Her Guitar

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: The Last Word on Slim Dunlap, a Two-Part Glen Hansard Set, and More

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: The Last Word on Slim Dunlap, a Two-Part Glen Hansard Set, and More

THROUGH THE LENS: Southern California Roots Music at the 2026 Stagecoach & BeachLife Festivals

THROUGH THE LENS: Southern California Roots Music at the 2026 Stagecoach & BeachLife Festivals

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: Jade Jackson

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: Jade Jackson

BONUS TRACKS: New Ma Rainey Box Set, Smithsonian Folkways Blues Collection Reissue, and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: New Ma Rainey Box Set, Smithsonian Folkways Blues Collection Reissue, and More Roots Music News

ALBUM REVIEW: Steep Canyon Rangers Tell Stories of Their ‘Next Act’

ALBUM REVIEW: Steep Canyon Rangers Tell Stories of Their ‘Next Act’

Stories

Marisa Anderson Brings a World of ‘UnAmerican’ Music To Her Guitar

Marisa Anderson Brings a World of ‘UnAmerican’ Music To Her Guitar

The first arrangement that instrumentalist guitarist and songwriter Marisa Anderson completed for The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music, Vol. 1 is a song called “Hamd.” The original version, known as “Mamoor Ho Raha Hai,” is an ecstatic, 18-minute Sufi Qawali by the legendary Sabri Brothers of Pakistan. It features 10

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: Jade Jackson

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: Jade Jackson

SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]

SPOTLIGHT: Emily Nenni - "What Have I Done Wrong" [VIDEO]

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: 49 Winchester

NO DEPRESSION SESSIONS at Lucinda's: 49 Winchester

In the Deep End With Taj Mahal

In the Deep End With Taj Mahal

By Going Offline, Josiah and The Bonnevilles' Music Is More Plugged In Than Ever

By Going Offline, Josiah and The Bonnevilles' Music Is More Plugged In Than Ever

No Depression’s Best of April 2026 Playlist

No Depression’s Best of April 2026 Playlist

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Songs of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan Get a Revealing Spin in ‘Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow’

ALBUM REVIEW: The Songs of Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan Get a Revealing Spin in ‘Where the Willow and the Dogwood Grow’

Tom Waits, the singer, is not necessarily the best interpreter of Tom Waits, the songwriter. Over the past half-century, the gravelly warbler has created a singular body of work, much of it composed in collaboration with spouse Kathleen Brennan. But his harsh voice, a blend of Howlin’ Wolf, Captain Beefheart,

ALBUM REVIEW: Steep Canyon Rangers Tell Stories of Their ‘Next Act’

ALBUM REVIEW: Steep Canyon Rangers Tell Stories of Their ‘Next Act’

ALBUM REVIEW: Thomas Csorba’s Gratifying, ‘Tender Country’ Music

ALBUM REVIEW: Thomas Csorba’s Gratifying, ‘Tender Country’ Music

ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Chapman’s ‘Feet On Fire’ is a Powerful Gospel of Growing Up

ALBUM REVIEW: Ben Chapman’s ‘Feet On Fire’ is a Powerful Gospel of Growing Up

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Face the Feeling,’ Jobi Riccio Rocks as She Reflects

ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Face the Feeling,’ Jobi Riccio Rocks as She Reflects

ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘Fondness, Etc.,’ Shakey Graves Reembraces His Lo-Fi Roots

ALBUM REVIEW: With ‘Fondness, Etc.,’ Shakey Graves Reembraces His Lo-Fi Roots

ALBUM REVIEW: Ramsey Thornton’s debut LP 'I Called It' Reveals a Fully-Formed Folk Fusion Songwriter and Composer

ALBUM REVIEW: Ramsey Thornton’s debut LP 'I Called It' Reveals a Fully-Formed Folk Fusion Songwriter and Composer

Columns

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: The Last Word on Slim Dunlap, a Two-Part Glen Hansard Set, and More

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: The Last Word on Slim Dunlap, a Two-Part Glen Hansard Set, and More

A two-disc reissue, the first half of a double live album, three fast-rising women singer-songwriters, and possibly the oldest artist ever to release a debut record: This month’s Founders’ Keepers column is a grab-bag of weird stories and musical wonders. Slim Dunlap — Every Little Word Which Slim Dunlap did

THROUGH THE LENS: Southern California Roots Music at the 2026 Stagecoach & BeachLife Festivals

THROUGH THE LENS: Southern California Roots Music at the 2026 Stagecoach & BeachLife Festivals

BONUS TRACKS: New Ma Rainey Box Set, Smithsonian Folkways Blues Collection Reissue, and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: New Ma Rainey Box Set, Smithsonian Folkways Blues Collection Reissue, and More Roots Music News

THE READING ROOM: Peter Blackstock Revisits Guy Clark's 'Old No. 1'

THE READING ROOM: Peter Blackstock Revisits Guy Clark's 'Old No. 1'

CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Christa Joy and The Honeybees, Township & Range, and Ro Myra

CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Christa Joy and The Honeybees, Township & Range, and Ro Myra

THROUGH THE LENS: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2026 Was a Feast For the Eyes, Ears, and Taste Buds

THROUGH THE LENS: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2026 Was a Feast For the Eyes, Ears, and Taste Buds

BONUS TRACKS: John Prine's 80th Birthday Tribute, Fall Records from Pokey LaFarge and Thee Sinseers, and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: John Prine's 80th Birthday Tribute, Fall Records from Pokey LaFarge and Thee Sinseers, and More Roots Music News

FRESH TRACK

The Revivalists share “Heart Stop,” the lead single from their upcoming album Get It Honest, arriving July 24. The track captures the band’s signature blend of soulful grit and anthemic energy, setting the tone for a bold new chapter. The album is available for pre-save and vinyl pre-order now, and fans can experience the new music live this fall aboard The Revivalists’ Otherside of Paradise at Sea, sailing November 3–7, 2026 from Miami to Nassau.

Sponsored by The Revivalists

FRESH TRACK: The Revivalists - “Heart Stop”

The Revivalists share “Heart Stop,” the lead single from their upcoming album Get It Honest, arriving July 24. The track captures the band’s signature blend of soulful grit and anthemic energy, setting the tone for a bold new chapter. The album is available for pre-save and vinyl pre-order now,

FRESH TRACK: Steven Keene - “How Much Blood’s in a Barrel?”

FRESH TRACK: Son Little - “Be Better”