Instrument Spotlight: Girouard Mandolins Columns by Brian Carroll - June 29, 2015January 21, 20160 Can an instrument change your life? Well, I am a believer that music is one of the most powerful forces in the world and you create it on instruments, so yes, I think an instrument can change your life for the better. As a musician, you probably spend a great deal of time with your guitar, or fiddle, or (insert any other instrument). It becomes an extension of you. Think of Steve Ray's number 1 strat, or Chris Thile's Gibson Loar mandolin...these are things that allow us as artists to speak and often times become what a fan will identify as a part of you and your sound. Two years ago I got in touch with Max and Lauri Girouard of Girouard
Through the Artist’s Eyes: The Extended Play Sessions Columns by Brian Carroll - June 15, 2015January 21, 20160 Something that I think folks who either submit to Red Line, or read features here, or attend a show don't realize is that I am a songwriter, musician, and member of a music community first and a "writer/blogger/promoter" second. It's something that can get a bit upsetting, but alas, I am here to support folks whether that's as a contemporary or as something else...whatever that "else" is. Never the less, I have only published one other "Through The Artist's Eyes" in the past. I save these features for things that I really think people need to know about. Something I have experienced first hand and the experience has been so profound that I feel the need to write, to share,
Red’s Favorite Albums of 2015 (so far) Columns by Brian Carroll - June 10, 2015January 21, 20160 As I have in the past, I like to split the year in two in order to present my "favorites" list. Thinking back on a year in December can be tough to remember all the great records I heard way back in January or February...so, this is what you get. It's been a pretty damn good year for music so far. I have heard some new records from some old favorites, as well as some brand new artists to me that have blown me away. The world of Red is expanding quite a bit...the Nashville connection is getting stronger and many of our southern friends have been making their way through town rather frequently (partly with thanks to Randi Millman
Donate Today and Get ‘Red Plays His Favorites’ Compilation Columns by Brian Carroll - May 26, 2015January 21, 20160 So, there comes a time when we need to take a step back and realize that we need a little help. To keep pressing forward with the community project Locals Covering Locals and wrap up our third installment to be ready for release in the September time frame we need a little help from our friends...that's you all. BUT...yes, there is a but. I wouldn't be able to do this without offering folks something in return for their kindness. If you have been paying attention you know that our good friends at The Loar have again come to our rescue and donated an LM-375 Grassroots F-style mandolin and each 10 dollar donation you make gets you a chance at taking that
The Loar LM-375 Mandolin Giveaway!!! Columns by Brian Carroll - May 14, 2015January 21, 20160 Our good friends at The Loar have again shown their incredible generosity and love for music by donating a The Loar LM-375 Grassroots F Style Mandolin to be given away through Red Line Roots. I love the instruments that they produce and this mando is no acception. A great instrument with a lot of chop! Spruce top, maple back and sides, just the way I like my mandolins and a really cool matte type finish to boot! Hit up the main page of www.redlineroots.com, take a look at the right sidebar of the screen for the "Donate" button. Each $10 donation will receive one entry into a drawing to be held in late June. If you can't quite swing a $10
Brewster Productions: Give Back to Those Who Give so Much Columns by Brian Carroll - May 4, 2015January 21, 20160 I've been a huge fan of all that the Brewster Productions crew puts on for a long while now. I was lucky enough to get involved in their Acoustic Nights concert series early on, and what a few of those nights may have lacked in audience way early on, they more than made up for in atmosphere and heart. I may have been playing to the ocean and Jon, Scott and Andrew but it felt like an arena because these guys really poured themselves into the shows. Fast-forward about 8 years and the shows have grown exponentially. I was lucky enough to play another one of these events last year to a completely filled Hedge House lawn alongside some great friends...and
Tell Me About Your…Podcast “Tell Me About Your Song” with Jacob Haller (part 1) Columns by Brian Carroll - May 1, 2015January 21, 20160 Jacob Haller is a far better interviewer than I...and far better at keeping on top of things. I spoke with him months back meaning to transcribe our interview and am just getting to it now. But nonetheless, I think what he is doing is an incredible important thing for local music and songwriters. He hosts a podcast called "Tell Me About Your Song" where artists talk about the meaning behind their songs and how they craft their lyrics and tunes. A really, really amazing thing that has sparked many incredible conversations. The best part, is you can hear them all! Here is part one of our long conversation (that I am still in the midst of transcribing...next time we talk
The Milk Carton Kids Share Another Single From “Monterey” Columns by Brian Carroll - April 22, 2015January 21, 20160 I don't hide the fact that I am a big fan of Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan. I study and listen intently to Kenneth's guitar work like I am back in organic chemistry in college. The blending of the two of their voices is something almost otherwordly. Is it one voice, is it two voices? This sound fuses together in this gorgeous fashion that is often imitated but I am yet to hear something quite as wonderful as how these two work together. And the guitar work weaves a delicate, but powerful floor underneath the dance of their two vocals. One of the best acts I will ever witness in my days, of that I am certain. The kind gents have
Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge: Judge’s Seat View Columns by Brian Carroll - April 22, 2015January 21, 20160 I should preface this by saying I have no place being a judge. I have played Tom Bianchi's Lizard Lounge open mic challenge many times. Truth be told, I prefer to be on that end, being judged rather than judging. It was tough for me because I saw such talent across the entire evening...which happens every Monday night. Musical preference is incredibly subjective, though I tried to be as unbiased as possible and take all things (songwriting, playing ability, stage banter/presence, etc) into account...this isn't about who won or made it to the final 3 though, its about a night of incredible music where 21 diversely talented musicians played for a crowd. A crowd that perhaps should be much larger
Heart and Soul: Julie Rhodes’ New Record and Crowdfunding Campaign Columns by Brian Carroll - April 15, 2015January 21, 20160 I still remember it vividly. It was a chilly January. A gray day at the office, I imagine I was tearing through some meaningless, remedial task in PowerPoint or Excel and then I heard it...Julie Rhodes' voice. From the very instant it came through my blue Klipsch earbuds I was a fan and enthralled that someone was out there, not just out there but in my city, singing this way. Well, time has passed since then and Julie has become not just a colleague in songwriting but a dear friend to me. She has been included on a Red Line Roots Locals Covering Locals compilation and played at Red Line presents shows...the gal never lets you down when it comes