Adam "Ditch" Kurtz may not be a household name...yet. But discerning roots music fans will have heard his sweet, dulcet pedal steel tones alongside artists including Joshua Ray Walker, JP Harris, and Silverada. Since Tennessee governor Bill Lee (R) has reached his term limit, Kurtz recently announced a bid to run (as a Democrat), himself. Check out his campaign points here, which include affordable housing, free healthcare for all, raising the minimum wage, and more. For more reading, check out an interview with Kurtz in Don't Rock The Inbox, a newsletter written by two of country music journalism's finest journalists (both of whom have been featured in No Depression) — Marissa Moss and Natalie Weiner.
There's been a lot of drama with streaming service Spotify lately: The band The Velvet Sundown gained more than 1 million streams on the platform only to be outed as an AI creation (read more on that at the Washington Post and Rolling Stone). And after Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced he'd be investing in military AI technology, bands like Deerhoof announced they're removing all their music from the platform (read more on that at KQED and the San Francisco Chronicle). Independent Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan (whose most recent album, Natural Light, came out in May) took to his Instagram to share his thoughtful perspective on these two issues and more:
The Marcus King Band announced their new album Darling Blue today. The new LP, which features King reuniting with his longtime bandmates, is due out September 26 via American Records/Republic Records. Check out “Here Today” (f/ Jamey Johnson and Kaitlin Butts) below.
Dar Williams announced her 13th LP, Hummingbird Highway, due out September 12 on Ani DiFranco's label, Righteous Babe Records. The lead single and title track, which features guest vocals from Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls is out now.
There's a new Jason Molina tribute album coming September 5 via Run For Cover Records titled I Will Swim to You: A Tribute To Jason Molina. Featured roots (or roots-adjacent) artists include M.J. Lenderman, Sun June, and Trace Mountains. Check out Lenderman's version of "Just Be Simple" below.
Alison Krauss & Union Station sat down with Anthony Mason of CBS News this week to discuss the band's legacy and recent album Arcadia, which came out in May (ND review). Check out the interview below.
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO:
William Prince - "On Rolls the Wheel" (from his forthcoming album Further From the Country, due out October 7 via Six Shooter Records)
Josh Fortenbery- "City Lights" (from his forthcoming album Tidy Memorial, due out October 10)
Raye Zaragoza - "Who Says That’s Not American"
NEW RELEASES – 7/11/25
Brent Cobb & The Fixin's - Ain’t Rocked in a While (ND review)
Leroi Conroy - Tiger's Tail
Rick Faris - Life's Parade
Murray Hammond - Trail Songs of the Deep (ND review)
Hilary Hawke - Lift Up This Old World
Minor Gold - Way to the Sun
Tami Neilson - Neon Cowgirl
Ketch Secor - Story the Crow Told Me
Jack Shields - Cherry Pick The Past
The Swell Season - Forward (ND review)
The Wildmans - Longtime Friend (ND review)
COMING SOON – 7/18/25
Jade Bird - Who Wants to Talk About Love
Cam - All Things Light
Dylan Gossett - Westward
Colin Hay - Man @ Work Vol. 2
The Last Revel - Gone for Good
Lord Huron - The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1
Cole Quest & The City Pickers - Homegrown
Alaine Stacey - DUSK
Koko Taylor - Crown Jewels (reissue)
Alex Williams - Space Brain
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