americana

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Trace Landscapes of Connection and Resilience

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Trace Landscapes of Connection and Resilience

Throughout Woodland, Americana songwriters Gillian Welch and David Rawlings underscore the sinews of relationships that are stretched but never torn.

Kevin Gordon Finds That We Live in ‘The In Between’

Kevin Gordon Finds That We Live in ‘The In Between’

Alt-country/Americana artist Kevin Gordon’s The In Between provides evidence for the grandeur of keeping on even when everything seems wrong.

What If They Had a Folk Festival and Nobody Protested?

What If They Had a Folk Festival and Nobody Protested?

What if they had a folk festival and nobody protested? Evanston, Illinois hosted its first folk festival without politics from its stages.

MJ Lenderman Finds the ‘Fireworks’ in Everyday Life

MJ Lenderman Finds the ‘Fireworks’ in Everyday Life

MJ Lenderman creates sounds that somehow cut into his listeners’ heads and hearts, even when the songs’ sonics resemble that of the garage band next door.

Sima Cunningham Soars and Soothes on the Brilliant ‘High Roller’

Sima Cunningham Soars and Soothes on the Brilliant ‘High Roller’

The different lyrical, musical, and emotional avenues indie folk’s Sima Cunningham travels throughout High Roller shows an artist overflowing with ideas.

MJ Lenderman Continues Upward Trajectory with ‘Manning Fireworks’

MJ Lenderman Continues Upward Trajectory with ‘Manning Fireworks’

On Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman describes down-and-out characters with his usual witty charm, all while showcasing his exceptional musical abilities.

Caleb Caudle Tells Stories of the South on ‘Sweet Critters’

Caleb Caudle Tells Stories of the South on ‘Sweet Critters’

Caleb Caudle has a soft spot for the natural beauty of the South, its woodlands and memories of the people who live there, and that’s just part of the story.

The 15 Best Americana Albums of 2014

The 15 Best Americana Albums of 2014

If forced to define Americana, it’s the one genre where honest craftsmanship is required, respected, and rewarded, something the best of 2014 lived up to.

Bella White Gives Her Fans Five More Songs

Bella White Gives Her Fans Five More Songs

The title of Americana artist Bella White’s new EP, Five for Silver, comes from the magpie rhyme about good things about to happen. These songs are gifts.

‘All In’ Offers New Insight Into Justin Townes Earle’s Art

‘All In’ Offers New Insight Into Justin Townes Earle’s Art

All In: Unreleased & Rarities is a fitting tribute to Justin Townes Earle, as the compilers had hoped, but it’s also a stellar set of music in any context.

Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold

Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold

Andrew Combs’ new album serves as the robin in spring, a sign that seasons have changed. It’s not a chronicle of happiness as much as a statement of normalcy.

Joe Ely Is Still ‘Driven to Drive’ After 50 Years

Joe Ely Is Still ‘Driven to Drive’ After 50 Years

Joe Ely’s new songs are full of colorful one-liners that contain the wisdom of the road as found in tall tales, folk wisdom, and poetic inspiration.