Fred Wickham’s taking a new swing at the troubador’s life. Some of you may remember the midwest rock band Hadacol from the ’90s. For Mariosa Delta, Wickham’s brought some of the band back together as well as his family — including his son Fred Wickham Jr. on mandolin joing him on tour (Dave Wilson plays mandolin and fiddle in the recording). The lead-off single, “You Don’t Need Me,” is an easy-going foot-tapper with warm notes: a honeyed fiddle and shining mandolin complete the arrangement. But Wickham’s forthright delivery and sardonic lyrics betray his rocker roots, giving the song enough texture to make your ears perk up. READ MORE…
No Depression
No Depression premieres “Divided” by Moonsville Collective
So-Cal’s Moonsville Collective return with their third EP of 2017, Moonsville III, on September 8th. Moonsville’s Corey Adams says; “EP III is different than EP II in that we went for a warmer approach instrumentally. Overall it has a more laid back feel.”
With multi-instrumentalists and several songwriters in the band, the quintet keeps their Americana style variable, always open to showcase their diversity via experimentation and the blurring of genre lines. From the swinging “Peace of Mind,” to the steady wistfulness of “Hurricane Girl” to the lonesome ballad “New York or Memphis,” the EP, says member Ryan Welch, “is lyrically rich and asks the listener to follow the songs into a space of nostalgia.”
ND is pleased to premiere the EP’s closer, “Divided.” A thoughtful folk ballad highlighted by a gentle mandolin, “Divided” finds Adams’ warm yet weathered, and somewhat weary, vocals encouraging one to reflect on what divides us in order to be more united, both in our relations with others and within ourselves. Stream the track in its entirety above.
Exploring the common ground between heartfelt indie-folk ballads and stomping hootenanny showstoppers characteristic of Americana-grass, Moonsville III is brimming with optimism and love for the simple side of life. READ MORE…
No Depression premieres “Heavy Weather” by Derek Hoke
Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Derek Hoke is prepping for the release of his new album, Bring the Flood (due 10/13), a ten-track collection that hones in on themes of loss, doom, and struggle, and finds Hoke collaborating with artists such as Elizabeth Cook, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Langhorne Slim, Matt Chamberlain, and Luther Dickinson.
No Depression Reviews Bern Kelly’s new record Lost Films
No Depression Review
Bern Kelly’s got an inviting voice that will draw your ear in. You’ll wonder where you heard it before — it’s got a sweet quality to it, but there’s a rasp that tells of long nights and tales to go with them. Lost Films certainly has some punchy stuff, that’s not quite the point. Kelly has used Lost Films to showcase his top picks from ten years’ worth of songwriting. It shows. The songs ramble through various micro-ecosystems of Americana, and their well-worn feel will again make you wonder if you’ve heard them somewhere before. But it’s Kelly’s painterly approach that will make Lost Films stand out. READ MORE…
Fairbanks & the Lonesome Light has officially announced their forthcoming LP, Nothing to Escape (out 8/25) via No Depression!
Austin, TX duo Fairbanks & the Lonesome Light (nee Erik Flores and Amelia Rose Logan) have cooked up a real zinger with Nothing to Escape. Originally hailing from Austin, the pair reunited in LA and found kindred spirits in both their songwriting sensibilities and stamina for partying. Having moved back to Austin, the duo has sobered up. Nothing to Escape is no raucous party. It in fact addresses Flores’ efforts to kick his drinking habit. While the band can surely shake the walls, the title track, “Nothing to Escape,” showcases Flores and Logan’s effortless harmonies. Flores’ wordy lyrics are not a hindrance here; in fact, it feels as if the pair has transformed hard-hitting prose into song. The unhurried pedal steel guitar leads to an emotional climax as a newly sober narrator comes to grips with confronting his depression without the aid of substances. The song arrives at a bittersweet conclusion, suggesting an emotional complexity that will make the rest of Nothing to Escape a treat for repeat listeners. It’s certainly a stunner on the first go-round. READ MORE…
No Depression premieres “Where I’m Going” by Bret Busch
No Depression Premiere
With over 25-plus years as the singer in half a dozen Atlanta bands, Bret Busch is gearing up to release his debut solo effort, Pills Lace & Confetti due July 14th. Produced by Atlanta legends The Rock*A*Teens’ Will Joiner, who also wrote the project’s lead single “Ink Black Sea”, the album came together from two ends of the musical spectrum—the indie-centric Merge Records roster (including members of Destroyer and The Rock*A*Teens) and the backing band of R&B star Janelle Monae. These guest artists’ combined talents and Busch’s admirable range as a vocalist create a sparkling, laid-back pop album that highlights Busch’s eclectic influences including Jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and Country flourishes. No Depression is pleased to premiere “Where I’m Going” a twangy country shuffler that speaks to the familiar tale of overindulgence and loneliness after a night at the corner bar. READ MORE…