With an intro that’s ominous with its shuffly beat, “Vampires” is a song about those times in the past when things didn’t seem quite right. Brad Byrd has a powerful joyous singing voice in the high registers, and this song captures just exactly the spirit of the poor judgement of youth. Phases is a tonal thriller from the lyrics to its textured synthesizer and all throughout its winding rhythms.
Americana Highways presents this premiere of Bridge 19’s song “The Middle Age” from their album In the Afterglow which is due to be released on April 26. “The Middle Age” is Amanda Lucas on vocals, Audrey Cecil on vocals, and guitar, Joey Thieman on accordion, Meg Samples on drums/percussion, and Jeff Faith on bass. The album was recorded with engineer Anne Gauthier at Louisville’s La La Land Studio.
The accordion is lively and sets the tone for the rest of the song in a Bridge 19’s unique variation on country music with country style harmonies. We have all been there through breakups in one form or another and Bridge 19 has found a way to support the process with their highly relatable lyrical imagery, accompanied by their pop stylings and vocal trills.
Americana Highways brings you this lyric video premiere of DL Rossi’s “A Sweet Thing,” from Rossi’s upcoming album A Sweet Thing, which was recorded live at Matt Maher’s studio The Echobase in East Nashville. The album was produced, mixed, and engineered by Nolan Rossi (Whym, Poema) and mastered by Joe Causey. “A Sweet Thing” is DL Rossi on guitar and vocals, Kenny Hutson (Crowder) on pedal steel, Grant Pittman (Drew Holcomb) on keys, with drums by Christian Paschall (Crowder, Tomlin, Maren Morris), bass by JR Collins (Crowder) and backing vocals by Reuben Bidez and Molly Parden.
With footage from the road, this lyric video is an anchor for the haunting melody of “A Sweet Thing.” As the lyrics unfold a tale of being rejected by a lover because of a travelling lifestyle, there are palpable chills in the air. DL Rossi’s low vocals over piano tones are rich with sorrow and resignation.
Americana Highways presents a premiere of “High Lonesome,” a song from Nicholas Mudd’s self-titled debut, due out on April 12th. “High Lonesome” is Nicholas Mudd on vocals and acoustic guitar; Lydia Luce on fiddle; Matt Pynn on pedal steel guitar; Iain Weigert on electric guitar; Michael Gomes on bass, Travis Popichak on drums with Paige Calico on backing vocals. Nicholas Mudd was produced by Eric Rennaker and recorded at Bedrock, LA.
“High Lonesome” is an emotionally grounded song about that sad melody that immediately reminds you of home. The violin echoes the sounds of the whip-poor-will as the music swells over the sounds of the family roots of home. Nicholas Mudd is a heartbreaker of an album.
Americana Highways is pleased to premiere “Three Quarter Time” from David Quinn’s upcoming debut album Wandering Fool, produced by Andrija Tokic (Margo Price, Banditos). “Three Quarter Time” is David Quinn on vocals and rhythm acoustic guitar, Dave Roe (Johnny Cash) on upright bass, Jimmy Lester (Billy Joe Shaver) on drums, Micah Hulscher (Margo Price, Rodney Crowell) on piano and organ; John Estes (John Paul White) on lead electric guitar with Alexis Saski on vocal harmonies.
Quinn has created a classic country waltz, and as we imagine ourselves dancing at the honky tonk as the vocal harmonies mingle, much to our delight: “there’s a love song in three quarter time.” Wandering Fool is sure to be a top-rated debut album of this year.
Americana Highways is pleased to bring you this song premiere of Boo Ray’s “Honky Tonk Dream” from upcoming release Tennessee Alabama Fireworks, available Feb 15. “Honky Tonk Dream” features Boo Ray on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Workman on guitar and backing vocals, CJ Colandrea on steel guitar, Bill Baker on bass and Lemuel Hayes (Nicki Bluhm) on drums.The video was shot live at Sun Studio in Memphis and produced by John Cuniberti. Watch and take a virtual tour inside the studio, while you check out the shuffly rhythms and steel guitar supporting hazy imagery of the “juke joint scene.” From the “the hush before the midnight barroom minuet” to the “bottle broken on the floor” it’s a late night, closing time scene we can all relate to.