Recorded with Grammy-winning producer Ryan Freeland, Ever Green, Ever Rain is the sound of a songwriter who’s unafraid to shine a light on his own faults. The Lakeland-based singer-songwriter’s work has been featured and nationally recognized by Billboard, Huffington Post, Exclaim!, and Baeble Music.
Here is an exclusive premiere of Michael McArthur’s new live video from his forthcoming LP Ever Green, Ever Rain. Video filmed by Pete Gill.
Philadelphia indie band Church Girls are releasing a new EP this January, called Cycles. Today, we’re excited to premiere the latest single from the extended play, which just so happens to be the title track.
Written in the wake of a brain operation that nearly cost him his life, Andrew Leahey’s sophomore LP, “Airwaves”, is as carpe diem as they come, an urgent sonic love letter channeling the 1980s FM-radio anthems he cut his teeth on as a kid.
In addition to being an acclaimed solo artist featured at Rolling Stone, Billboard and American Songwriter, the Nashville-based Leahey is also a sought-after guitarist who regularly tours with Elizabeth Cook, and has backed Rodney Crowell, Drew Holcomb, Will Hoge and more. For Airwaves (out March 1), Leahey tapped multi-platinum producer Paul Ebersold, who enlisted Steelism’s John Estes and Jon Radford on bass and drums, respectively. Leahey also brought in his childhood best friend Phil Heesen III to add harmony vocals and guitar, as well as his buddy Sadler Vaden, who took a break from touring with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit long enough to drop by the studio and lay down some guitar leads on “Start the Dance,” “We Came Here to Run” and “Workin Ain’t Workin.”
One of the more exciting roots releases slated for 2019 is Jennah Bell’s full-length debut Anchors And Elephants, due out February 22. The Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter explores her folk, soul, indie and R&B roots across the LP, using her kaleidoscopic influences to chronicle love, heartbreak, identity and personal growth with precision and dimension. Bell recorded Anchors And Elephants with producer James Poyser, a member of the Roots who is also known for his work with Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill, among other artists.
Ahead of Anchors And Elephants‘ release, Bell has shared the striking new song “Another Louisiana.” The emotional track, which features co-production and charango from Michael Haziza, is built atop Bell’s ethereal guitar playing, which chimes and swirls beneath her vulnerable vocal. Lyrically, “Another Louisiana” recalls the rawness of Julien Baker and the imagery of Laura Marling, with Bell confronting personal demons and past relationships with unflinching clarity. READ MORE
Americana Highways brings you this track premiere of “Prisoner” from Michael McArthur’s album Ever Green, Ever Rain, due to be released on January 25. Produced by Ryan Freeland (Bonnie Raitt, Ray LaMontagne), the album features Michael McArthur, with Lee Pardini (Dawes) on keys, Grammy winner Paul Bryan (Aimee Mann) on bass, Steven Nistor (Daniel Lanois) on drums as well as Dan Kalisher on guitars.
McArthur’s vocals exhibit an undeniably vulnerable quality while he sings his grieving state — of being “chained, like a prisoner” of someone’s will — out loud: “Try to run free but she caught you.” The band rallies around the prisoner’s lament in a slow rock ballad style, with a flaming hot electric guitar solo by Dan Kalisher, and solid power rhythms.
Today, Punknews is excited to debut the new track by People’s Blues of Richmond! Honestly, few bands sound like People’s Blues of Richmond. With a slight country twang, the bands pays tribute to their downhome roots while embracing the ragged, huge choruses of guys like Springsteen and Strummer. READ MORE…