Luke Winslow-King “Blue Mesa” Featured Album Featured Artist Music Features by Ken Templeton - May 8, 20180 Goddamn, Luke Winslow-King is smooth. I’ve been spinning his new record Blue Mesa (Bloodshot) this morning and it feels both like I’ve known this album all my life and like a breath of fresh air. I think that happens because he draws on so many genres to create his own brand of roots music, so it all sounds like the real thing without getting repetitive. On Blue Mesa you get ripping blues and screaming slide guitars juxtaposed with Gospel-infused ballads, with a dreamy organ setting a mournful tone. There is a real dynamism to this record and it holds together incredibly well. It’s going to be a great companion for this summer. Billboard premiered “Chicken Dinner” off Blue Mesa and
Fall in Love with “Love Again” from Dharmasoul Featured Artist Featured Track Music Features by Brian Carroll - February 14, 20180 What better day for a song with 'love' in the title for release on Valentines Day? Well, if that song is from two artists who bleed their hearts and souls out into their craft, then perhaps it is escalated just a tiny bit more. Dharmasoul is the newer duo project including our old pal Jonah Tolchin and Kevin Clifford that has already made some big waves. The two musicians, criss crossed throughout their previous musical paths before finally forming the band in July of last year and heading into the studio shortly after. The brand new track "Love Again" is infused with tubey blues guitar and soulful vocals. Keys gently throb behind a slow blues dance. The tune and general aural
Always Open: The Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge Hits 500 Shows Featured Artist Featured Concert Uncategorized by Brian Carroll - June 27, 20160 I have probably heard it a thousand times from a thousand different people when the question is raised "so, how did you first get a foot in the door to playing in Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, etc?". That response being "well, Tom Bianchi and the Lizard Open mic". Tom has long since been a staple holding the stretching seams of the community around town. I mean the mantra of the dude's main project (The Baker Thomas Band) is "everybody's in the Baker Thomas Band". The giving and inclusive mentality of this man is beyond words and the generosity that he has imparted on so many folks over the years is immeasurable. The LLOMC has been a launching pad for many, a testing
Saddle Up: Jordan Tice’s ‘Horse County’ Is Quite A Ride Featured Artist Interviews Uncategorized by Brian Carroll - June 2, 2016June 2, 20160 If the company we keep as artists is any pedigree of the breed of player and performer we are, well then Jordan Tice is a thoroughbred stallion. If you need proof then look no further than the latest record from the guitarist and songwriter "Horse County". With pals and contemporaries such as Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers, Dave Rawlings Machine), Dominick Leslie (Deadly Gentlemen), Mike Witcher (Peter Rowan), Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers), and Brittany Haas (Crooked Still, Dave Rawlings Machine) along for the ride and Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers in the co-pilot seat producing and engineering the project, well, no further questions need to be asked. Tice, typically taking a more instrumental approach to his recordings, lends his vocal to a handful
TWENTYTWO: An Interview with Photographer & Artist Emilia Paré Featured Artist Interviews Uncategorized by Brian Carroll - May 6, 20160 As a photographer you spend a lot of time behind a lens. As someone who shoots concert photography you also spend a lot of time in front of a stage. Between being at a show, on the street, or sitting someone down to make their portrait you get to really understand and observe personalities. In those concert settings: personalities of artists, of audience members, and other photographers there to capture the moment. Photographers with belts holding 7 lenses and backpacks with extra batteries and camera bodies or the "would be" pro-photog capturing the moment just because they have an instagram account and an iPhone, living life through a 4.5 inch screen. Then there are the few. The few who are able
Catching Up With: Matt York + Video Premiere Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - February 19, 20160 A double dose of South Shore songwriter for you today. We recently did a little video and photo shooting for Matt York down at The Spire in Plymouth, MA. A beautiful venue playing host to some incredible local and touring talent. Before the show Matt and I dipped into Hollis Greene's shop (The Music Box) next door to film a quick performance in the space lined with drool worthy axes and a comfy, charming feel. Here is Matt performing his tune "I'm All Done"...and continue below for a Q & A with the songwriter about his music and recording in that same building that he was playing in later in the evenings. RLR: How do you characterize your music? What drives and inspires
A Painter, A Poet, A Portrait Maker: Featured Artist Amber Langanke Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - February 17, 20160 There are so many different shades of “art” in the world, and they don’t always lean to the sonic side of things. Visual artists are something that I have appreciated and respected for a long while. I spent the better part of my high school days in the art wing of my high school in the dark room, spray painting graffiti murals, or printmaking on the schools press. It’s something that has always called to me, and despite moving away from the arts from a career or schooling standpoint, I still have a deep love for eye catching drawings, paintings, photography and so on. Amber Langanke is such an artist. She has a style that is realistic, but is unique
September EBASS/RLR Writer of the Month: Heather Woods Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - September 2, 2015February 2, 20160 I'd like to take a minute to introduce you all to our writer for the month of September, nominated by our friends over at EBASS (Emerging Boston Area Singer-Songwriters) and endorsed by Red Line Roots. Heather Woods is a self proclaimed "passionate writer and performer, she blends catchy folk with pure and heartfelt vocals to deliver a listening experience described as raw, soulful, and powerfully feminine." I agree, reviewing her latest release "Let Me In" saying that there were "some really intriguing songs with a lot of layers to dig deep into and damn, the girl can sing. There is a whole hell of a lot of passion and vibrance in this gal’s songs" More on Heather throughout the month of September is
EBASS & Red Line Roots Songwriter of the Month (August ’15): Nate Taylor Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - August 3, 2015February 2, 20160 I am happy to announce of August songwriter of the month in partnership with our friends at EBASS (Emerging Boston Area Singer Songwriters): Nate Taylor. Each month Red Line Roots will highlight an artist within the Boston songwriting community as curated/nominated from the fine folks over at EBASS. Taylor is a folk singer/songwriter from Stroudsburg, PA. While working a two year stint in New York City, he realized that his true dream was to travel and play music. In February 2014 he left NYC to drive around the USA, write music, and perform. As of April 2015, he is a resident of Medford, MA. Described by many as a 21st century troubadour, Nate weaves together vocals, guitar, and cello to create a sound
Red Line Roots Summer Celebration Artist Announcement: The Meadows Brothers Featured Artist by Brian Carroll - April 29, 2015February 2, 20160 When I think of how music can most perfectly be presented, this is what comes to mind. The way that Dustin and Ian present their songs is (in my mind) the absolute best way to experience a song. Two voices, two instruments, one microphone. When it comes to intimacy and one of the soul purposes of folk music (that purpose being "sharing") this is exactly as it should be done. Ian is a fantastic bluegrass style picker and Dustin plays harmonica like it is supposed to be played...with heart and soul and not "guy with guitar" harmonica rack mentality (plus he is a great rhythm guitarist to boot). The blending of their voices is really where the specialness of their music