THROUGH THE LENS: IBMA Keeps Eyes Toward the Future at World of Bluegrass 2023
The week following AmericanaFest in Nashville, many fans of roots music trekked 539 miles due east to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, for the largest urban bluegrass festival in the world, the International Bluegrass Music Association's World of Bluegrass. The first three days of end-of-September event are a conference
FRESH TRACK: Jenny Owen Youngs – 'Everglades'
“Everglades” was co-written with Christian Lee Hutson when Jenny was still living in LA. She wrote it in her home studio at the time, leaving the door open to breeze and the occasional honk of neighboring peacocks. Warm harmonies float over plucked guitar, shuffled drums, and muscular electric guitar riffs
ALBUM REVIEW: Personal and Political Build Up Jolie Holland’s ‘Haunted Mountain’
Jolie Holland has a singular and fascinating autobiography, having been raised in a cult and finding herself homeless for five years after escaping. In the 20 years since her 2003 debut, Catalpa, she has forged a sound as singular and interesting as she is.
Her best songs, which are abundant
BONUS TRACKS: Documentary Goes Deep Inside a Band Breakup
It’s never easy when a band decides to break up — not for fans, and not for the band members themselves. But you rarely get a view into that decision and its aftermath that goes any deeper than a press release or social media statement. A new documentary titled We’
ALBUM REVIEW: Hello June Takes a Hard Look Back and Forward on ‘Artifacts’
Lots of artists emerged from lockdown with a newfound sense of purpose, perhaps a new level of introspection or with a new style or instrument. This is important, but, if we’re being honest with ourselves, we’re all a little worse for wear. Hello June’s new album, Artifacts,
ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Nite Swim,’ Lily & Madeleine Dive Into Darkness
Sisters Lily and Madeleine Jurkiewicz know how to make an entrance. Their stunning fifth album, Nite Swim, starts gently, the languid piano and violin promising a soothing interlude, but the mellow vibe is promptly shattered by the opening lyric: “I don’t know why you hate me.” And it’s