New Jersey-based Americana artist Sammy Kay makes a call for empathy on the sparse, dreamy “Try To Find,” the debut single from his forthcoming album civil/War (out on October 4).
Kay says the song was inspired by his experiences after he temporarily gave up touring and began working with a friend with special needs.
When Brandon Stansell was scouting beach locations to film his new video, his manager offered a suggestion: El Matador beach in Malibu, California. They liked the spot, where performer Blair St. Clair (with whom Stansell shares management) had also filmed her latest video, for its natural beauty and because it was usually deserted.
“He was like, ‘Oh, you should definitely go there. It’s beautiful and no one’s there,’” says Stansell, calling from his home in Los Angeles. “And when we got there, there were like 200 people on the beach.”
You’d never know it to watch the clip for “Top Shelf,” the upbeat new single Stansell released in June. In every shot of the video, which was directed by Trent Atkinson, the singer-songwriter appears to be performing completely alone, framed against a gorgeous backdrop of rocks, sand, and sea.
Portland, Oregon-based indie folk/Americana singer-songwriter Erisy Watt’s “Treasure Maps” was added to Spotify’s Fresh Folk 2019 playlist this week.
A modern songwriter inspired by the swampy grit, juke-joint swagger, and countrified twang of old-school American roots music,King Corduroy has been chasing his singular muse for years, making his own kind of “cosmic southern soul music” along the way. It’s a sound anchored by a genuine reverence for the good stuff — including Texas electric blues, Memphis soul, New Orleans voodoo funk, the Tulsa groove and Mississippi Delta blues — and updated to suit the unique experience of a storyteller, multi-instrumentalist, wandering troubadour, and larger-than-life frontman who’s lived everywhere from the Bible Belt to the Mexican Baja. Those travels play a central role on King Corduroy’s fourth release, Avalon Ave. (out 8/16), whose five songs match King Corduroy’s colorful appearance — equal parts 1970s-era Leon Russell, Southern rock bluesman, and hippie mystic — with soulful performances and real-life stories sourced from his own rambles.
Critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin’s 30th-anniversary acoustic edition of “Shotgun Down the Avalanche” was added to Spotify’s Fresh Folk playlist this week.
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In September, singer-songwriter Judy Blank will make history by becoming the first Dutch artist ever to play AmericanaFest. In 2014 she released her piano-driven debut album, When The Storm Hits, which earned rave reviews and quickly positioned her as an international artist to watch. Since then, she’s been making a name for herself playing all over the world, from surf festivals somewhere in the south of France to open mic nights in Louisiana, to performances at major music festivals including Pinkpop, the Lowlands, Songbird Festival and North Sea Jazz in Rotterdam.
After finishing her debut album tour in the Netherlands, Blank felt like she was no longer really connected to the songs or her sound. Or maybe even herself. She had lost the ambition she once had to tell stories and write songs. She decided to visit the states and immerse herself in a new culture. She ended up in Louisiana for a time, and interned in a music class at an elementary school. It was here where she was introduced to American folk music.
“I was inspired by the gorgeous folk songs that were passed on from generation to generation. I fell in love with the simplicity of the songs, the honesty in the words and the catchy melodies. It was the start of a dazzling musical journey where I started to listen to all the old folk and country records I could find. Slowly, I came back to writing, and when I finally felt I had collected my best songs two years later, I figured the best place to record them was Nashville.”
After she cultivated the songs for her most recent LP Morning Sun, she partnered with Chris Taylor (Elle King, Miranda Lambert, The Wood Brothers) to produce the album at Southern Ground Studios in Nashville.
“When I met Chris for the first time, we were a great match right away. Beforehand, I was slightly intimidated by all the fantastic artists he had worked with. But he turned out to be a super relaxed, dedicated and funny guy. He loved the demos, and went out of his way to get in the best musicians he could find to add color and flavor to my songs. We decided to track everything live, just like all my newly discovered heroes did in the seventies. When I listened back to the first take we did the band, I literally cried, because it sounded so beautiful and organic. I hadn’t felt that in forever. After that, I could record the rest of the songs feeling 100% comfortable and confident about the result. We were creating in there, considering every idea me, Chris or the musicians came up with. Recording this album was so much fun.”
Morning Sun allowed Blank to make her mark on Americana by mixing elements of retro soul, groovy funk and edgy indie-rock with irresistible songwriting. Her music even caught the attention of musical legend Sir Elton John, who named her track “1995” as a personal favorite. The album has been praised by Nashville’s own independent radio station Lightning 100, Ear to the Ground Music, Belles & Gals, Aupium, Bluegrass & Strings, The Influences and more. With her first Americanafest appearance set for 2019. Blank is surely to make a name for herself in the states the way she has across Europe.
“Goldmine” Named Lightning 100’s DJ Pick of the Week
“1995” Named “Favorite New Track” by Elton John
“A soulful and jazzy romp that recalls the brassy glory of Tedeschi Trucks Band and the danceable versatility of Lake Street Dive. Judy Blank adds a sassy new spark and cultural reference point to a packed Americana scene full of trucker and cowboy hats but no cloches.” – Glide Magazine
“Judy Blank’s Morning Sun is an indie folk ray of sunshine.” – Americana Highways
“We think it’s only a matter of time before her outspoken and creative voice is known all over the planet.” – Ditty TV
“Torchy vocal cords amidst the haze of electric guitar and low-riding grooves.” – B-sides and Badlands
“Sweet acoustic instrumentation works alongside Blank’s warm vocal delivery to delicately craft each heartfelt rumination, making for an ensnaring listen.” – PopMatters