Singled Out: Ava Earl “Springtime” Interviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - May 20, 20210 A song called "Springtime" couldn't come at a more opportune time. As the maples have budded out and are spreading their leaves, rustling in the ever warming breeze. Birds are back singing their songs, and here we are graced with a beautiful song from singer-songwriter Ava Earl. Ava's voice lilting up and drifting down, like those aforementioned warm breezes, filling the gaps in the air with a soft but rich sound. The building of the track, with underpinned harmonies as she poises complete control of her voice, driving the narrative. Dancing around the instrumental adornments that decorate the edges of the track. When the break hits just after the 2 minute mark, she really shines. Her voice a golden light
Forecast: Sunny Skies Ahead – An Interview With John Mailander Interviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - May 19, 2021May 26, 20210 You could go an entire lifetime and never come across another artist like John Mailander. His musical voice resting on the precipice where beauty meets power. His even temperament balancing the sheer virtuosity that lays beneath his finger tips, riddled with character, grace and soul. The robust palette that he paints his sonic landscapes with is vast. Deep and pulling shades of blues and greys mingling with brilliant gold and saffron, covering the full breadth of emotion and vibe in even a single given tune or arrangement. What I've found most intriguing and enviable about John and his music over the nearly decade I have known him and his songs in some capacity is his seamless ability to allow other artists
Singled Out: Old Town Crier “Moonlight Road” Interviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - April 21, 20210 There is something very endearing about the cacophony of instruments and sounds in the warm and lo-fi delivery from multi-instrumentalist Jim Lough. Going under the moniker "Old Town Crier", Lough presents us with a bit of a punch in the tune "Moonlight Road". There is the din of accordions and keys, the constant of an electric guitar rhythm with slide tendencies and the drone of a harmonica. A palette of jubilee and perhaps late night jamboree amongst friends fueled by passion and not wanting the evening to end. That feeling is palpable. Perhaps, whats so intriguing and impressive is that the layering of soundscapes and vibrations is all orchestrated by Lough on his lonesome. Dig in. Who: Old Town Crier (Jim
Cary Morin: There’s Always a Way (Podcast) Interviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - March 3, 20210 The last concert I saw out in the world before this pandemic closed venues was Cary Morin at North Star Church of the Arts. I had a prior commitment, so I was running a bit late and I slid into the back pew. Cary was playing an entrancing instrumental melody, with a wide-brimmed hat pulled down low, shadows over his face. It was what music is supposed to do: after a harried day, I was taken out of my world, and given the gift of sounds and silence, of rhythm and solace, and I could take a good, deep breath. It was so enjoyable to get to talk with Cary about his latest record, Dockside Saints. The record is amazing: some
Singled Out: Kyle O’Brien “Good Time Old Time” Interviews Music Features Reviews by Brian Carroll - February 4, 2021February 4, 20210 It took me a bit to draw some kind of line between what exactly Old Time vs Bluegrass vs Trad music is in the realm of American Roots. But its one of those things you know when you feel the vibe. Kyle O'Brien's new single straddles the lines between the lot, but with instrumental breaks bordering on the old time edge, sing-songy speed in the verses and a holler along chorus that is infectious, it doesn't matter what you call it. Its just music that gets you moving and makes you want to listen over and over. Its tunes like "Good Time" that keep me hopeful (but longing) for those late night jams at festivals. Dancing in the field to
Kamara Thomas: I Am Your Mama’s Country Music Interviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - October 13, 2020October 13, 20200 I think the only kind of conversations Kamara Thomas has are wide-ranging. She is a musician, artist, activist, and community builder, and she brings all of those roles to our conversation for this edition of the Red Line Roots podcast. Kamara released Folklore: Live at Cassilhaus in September. It’s a really striking collection of songs. The sound is both rich and spare and these are the types of songs that shift and breathe with you the more times you listen. But that’s not all Kamara’s up to. Later this week, she will bring the Country Soul Songbook Summit to the world. Country Soul Songbook was the first event during the pandemic that I watched on a stream. It was switched to
Twisted Pine: A Broader Conversation Interviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - September 3, 20200 It’s hard to think of a band that has come out of New England recently that has shapeshifted and evolved more than Twisted Pine. The group has seen some personnel changes recently but, from its founding, seemed dedicated to pursuing new sonic territory, pulling more and more listeners in with each note. The group releases their latest record, “Right Now” on August 14 and it is a phenomenal piece of art. The instrumentation is nothing short of virtuosic...but not the sort of virtuosity that you have to pretend to enjoy! It was really fun to get to chat with Dan, Ahn, Chris, and Kathleen over zoom about a month ago. And it’s been just as much fun to spin “Right Now.”
Libby Rodenbough: On the Other Side Interviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - August 6, 20200 The first time I heard Libby Rodenbough sing and play the fiddle, it was on Mipso’s daytrotter session and the song was Guy Clark’s “Dublin Blues,” and I became an instant fan. It was a great pleasure to chat with Libby for this episode of the RLR Podcast to dig into her fantastic solo record, “Spectacle of Love.” The album is most certainly not a collection of Libby-penned Mipso songs; this is a different artistic expression. On the first song, “How Come You Call Me,” it feels like Libby is drawing on Aimee Mann more than Guy Clark or Emmylou Harris. And the songs that follow represent a wide range of sensibilities, from synth-driven songs to the entrancing instrumental, “Under
Singled Out: Noel Smyth “East Coast” Interviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - July 2, 20200 The winter time seems a million years away as the sun seems to be up at all hours and the heat begins to weigh heavy. But even so, as Noel Smyth sings out "cruising down the highway / right through the snow / its just about midnight / don't know where to go" on his track "East Coast", the sentiment and vibe still ring true in this moment. You can drive around, you can feel the road beneath the rubber of your tires (sans ice and slippery flakes) but, alas, the places you can go are few. The tune also brings us a feel good and summer sonic vibe in this time...despite the descriptions in the lyrics...and lets face it,
Singled Out: Whitacre “Seasons” Interviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - May 15, 20200 I am not quite sure where the genre set of Whitacre exactly falls. Its rock, but with faded edges, dusted with a bit of red dirt and coffee-stained. Theres a grit, but electric tubey guitar lines that flow throughout in a beautiful fashion. This new tune from the band is the kind of shit that anthems for generations are made of. Driving. Heart. Soul. Passion. Who: Whitacre From: Denver, Colorado Song: "Seasons" Latest Record: Seasons What About It: "My favorite memory about the song "Seasons" was writing the chorus together as a band. Our old guitar player, Bob Bullington, threw in an 'F' chord that brought out a 60s/70s vibe. He then played the progression over and over again and randomly said, "This song is