Soaring horns and dynamic rhythms made fans dance under cloudy skies at the Heartwood Soundstage. While others sat in lawn chairs, some concertgoers gathered near the stage. Savants of Soul frontman Justin McKenzie fed off their energy to deliver an energetic vocal performance when the group took the stage on Friday.
Lara Taubman’s second album ‘Ol’ Kentucky Light‘, is out on September 16th on Atomic Sound Record Company, and it sees the New York-based country-soul singer/songwriter address mortality, mental health, spirituality, survival, and the finding of hope in an exceedingly turbulent and traumatized world.
Singer-songwriter Suzanne Sheer is a Philadelphia based, Pittsburgh native, who started writing music at the age of 14. She started recording at the age of 18, collaborating with Ricky P and Wiz Khalifa (also Pittsburgh natives).
Suzanne’s music portrays a confident, sexual woman, who uses her songs to not only express her desires, but also her insecurities. Her songs are deeply personal and take the listener into the mind of a young woman, working to find her voice.
Whitney Lockert has a raw acoustic guitar playing style and the production quality showcases this with its silenced background and crystal clear recording. “We Were There” is a nostalgic glimpse into the passage of time and the childhood memories that are shared through the distance. “I am here and you’re over there and it’s not fair.” It really isn’t fair.
Porter & Dolly, George & Tammy, Loretta & Conway, Gram & Emmylou, Johnny & June, Joey & Rory, Keifer & Shawna Thompson, Mark & Jay O’Shea, Kacey Chambers & Shane Nicholson. These are all powerful country / Americana duets and you can add Megan & Shane (Bakersfield) as they set to release “Oh Hell” (as a double single with “Put Me Down” on July 14. The light-hearted romps follow up their critically-acclaimed LP Daughter of Country, which garnered them a nomination for “Best Roots Album” via No Depression.
The album comprises nine songs which range from acoustic strummers to rockier, Neil Youngesque, grungy arrangements. The album opens with the title track, which sets out the record’s themes of seeking contentment and a place in the world. The song muses on leaving everything behind and hitting the road ‘in an old dirty car’, in search of a place to ‘build something old’ and finding some stability, as well as companionship.