For the last seven years or so, No Depression has been honored to share a metaphorical roof with Folk Alley. In 2019, the FreshGrass Foundation (No Depression's nonprofit publisher), brought Folk Alley into the fold, helping keep the 24-hour streaming radio service playing when its previous radio host underwent structural changes. Executive Director/Producer Linda Fahey has been an absolute force, running Folk Alley — sometimes single-handedly! — for more than 21 years and keeping the love of diverse folk music alive and self-sustaining. Please join all of us at No Depression in wishing her all the best in her next adventures.
Incoming into that role at Folk Alley comes Sarah LaDuke. For the last two decades, she has served as a producer and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, an NPR-affiliate station in Albany, New York. If you need highly-curated, uninterrupted folk music in your life, be sure to visit folkalley.com and become a sustaining member today.
Over in Nashville at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), Executive Director Ken White has resigned, effective immediately. According to Bluegrass Today, Paul Schiminger (a former IBMA Director) will reprise his duties in an interim capacity, in order to ensure a smooth transition for the organization's next full-time leader.
Blues hero Keb' Mo' announced a new record, The Breakdown, due out August 21 via Concord Records. Comprised of 10 songs recorded with just his guitar and voice, The Breakdown is one his starkest albums, yet. It also arrives in the wake of open heart surgery, a divorce after 20 years, and personal and social upheaval. Lead single "Fussing and Fighting" is available now:
Country artist Wyatt Flores dropped a new single today titled, "Half The Man." The song comes from his forthcoming album, Scared of Heights, due out July 31 via Island Records/MCA. Read more about Flores in the Fall 2024 issue of No Depression, still available in print here and available in the now-complete No Depression digital archives here.
Semi-itinerant blues musician Seasick Steve announced a new record titled The Last Season of America, due out September 18 via his new label Eastcote Recordings. The album comprises protest songs and reflections of the current state of the country, with the contemplative title track available now.
Brooklyn-based English singer-songwriter Fenne Lily announced her fourth record, Win Win, due out October 23 via Nettwerk. Lead single "Uh Huh" is available now.
Vandoliers have surprise-released a new EP titled Afterglow, out now via Break Maiden Records/Thirty Tigers. Comprised of five songs — including the recently release single "Girl on the Run" — and others recorded during the Life Behind Bars (ND feature) sessions, singer Jenni Rose said in a press release that it "close[s] this chapter of Vandoliers, like the afterglow of the last 3 years in the band. ... This EP is a bridge between what was and what happens next with Vandoliers." Listen to fan-favorite "Together We Will Sink or Swim" here:
The Nude Party's drummer Austin Brose was in a horrific bike accident earlier this week and a GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical costs. The band shared the following on its social media:
The band is known for its high-energy shows; here's hoping Brose is able to return to those party-rocking gigs soon. Read more about The Nude Party the Spring 2020 "Live and In Person" issue of No Depression, sold out in print, but available in the archives.
Harpist Calvin Arsenia announced on social media that he intends to buy the Greenwood Social Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. However, he has just been made aware of a $55,000 gap in closing costs and is reaching out to the public to help with those costs in order to save the venue. Learn more in his Instagram carousel below and check out his cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now."
Pianist, songwriter, and activist Ben Folds has shared a three-page open letter raising awareness about the state of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington DC. He served as the Artistic Advisor to the NSO for nearly a decade before resigning in the wake of Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center. Read it and take action below:
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO
Evan Honer - "say anything"
Ruthie Foster - "Thank You" (from her forthcoming album Just Say Yes, out August 28 via Sun Records)
Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, and Dizzy Gillespie - Sonny Side Up
Marley Hale - "The Ballad of Spider John" (cover of Willis Alan Ramsey)
Johnny Bell - Mountain States
NEW RELEASES - 6/5/26
Zoh Amba - Eyes Full
Caleb Caudle - Heavy Thrill
Deer Tick - Coin-O-Matic
Iris DeMent - The Way I Should (30th Anniversary Reissue)
Sierra Ferrell - Live at Third Man Records
Futurebirds - Far Out Country
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra - Night Blooms
Gina Leslie - I Love You Always No Matter What Happens
Charlie Marie - Signs
John R. Miller - The Great Unknowing (physical release)
Old Crow Medicine Show - Union Made
Red Clay Strays - Grateful
Bella White - A Sign In The Weather
COMING SOON - 6/12/26
Alex Amen - Sun of Amen
Bandits on the Run - Rough Magic
Duane Betts - Isle of Hope
Breakfield - Breakfield
Mike Campbell/The Dirty Knobs - Mission of Mercy
Courtney Hartman - With You From the Garden Shed
Samantha Fish - Paper Doll Live
Fruit Bats - The Landfill
ISMAY - Half Truth
Jess Klein - Dreaming Aloud
Kyle LaLone - Make My Own Way
Ike Reilly Featuring Shane Reilly - Blind and Surrounded
Pharis & Jason Romero - These Are The Days That Turn In To Years
Mike Richmond - Without an Audience
Jon Spencer - Songs of Personal Loss and Protest
Jesse Welles - Masks Off
The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow - Kept Rising
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