SPOTLIGHT: Rising Appalachia Channels Global Perspective in Music and Causes
Rising Appalachia, the sister duo of Leah and Chloe Smith, are not only artists, they’re translators. They embrace this role on their new album Leylines, translating their Southern upbringing and vast travel experiences into a collection of insightful original songs alongside covers of traditional folk masterpieces.
Named after the
Thirty Years Later, ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume 2’ Stands as a Musical Milestone
On May 1, 1989, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band updated its ode to country music’s early influencers, 1972’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken, with an addendum co-starring some of the best available singer-songwriters and neo-traditionalists.
Thirty years later, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume 2
ROOTS & BRANCHES: Springsteen’s New Song, and Record, in the American Grain
Last week, Bruce Springsteen announced a new record, Western Stars, for release on June 14 — Flag Day. It will be his first studio album in five years. Here is how he describes it: “This record is a return to my solo recordings, featuring character driven songs and sweeping, cinematic orchestral
The Work Is Never Done: Anaïs Mitchell’s Folk Opera 'Hadestown' Gets New Life
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an excerpt of a story from No Depression’s Fall 2016 print issue, “Speak Up!”, about a pre-Broadway production of the musical Hadestown. The Broadway version, adapted from singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell’s folk opera, won eight Tony Awards in 2019, including Best Musical
EASY ED'S BROADSIDE: Spade Cooley: Western Swing's Killer Cowboy
My oldest son and his friend stopped by my apartment the other night for a few minutes and I punched the play button on a playlist I put together of old jazz and western swing tracks. There are a couple thousand songs in there that I enjoy listening to, mixing
‘We All Have the Same Questions’: Josh Ritter Takes a New Route to Answers
Over the past 20 years, Josh Ritter’s vivid imagery and expansive song topics have established him as a singular voice in songwriting — a reputation cemented by substantial experimentation and collaboration. His 2011 novel, Bright’s Passage, and visual art (including the cover art for 2017’s Gathering) attest to