Well, Australia’s loss was certainly Nashville’s gain. Josh Rennie-Hynes, now a naturalized Americana singer-songwriter and one of the finest melodic guitarists I’ve heard in some time, is a keeper. Josh has just released “Caught in a Dream” from his new LP “Patterns” which we will all get to possess come September 27.
In trying to be original in describing “Honesty,” the infectiously-gorgeous new single from Music City’s Slark Moan, I couldn’t think of anything better than the tag “Dream Pop” that accompanied his bio. Friends, believe me, if you are a “pure pop for now people” person like me, this is a song you will savor. READ MORE…
If I were a musician, would it bother me if people kept comparing my music to Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen? Absolutely not! And in the case of Nashville’s Andrew Leahey who grew up in awe of these two artists, I’m sure he’s quite pleased to be mentioned in the same company.
Andrew’s 2016 debut LP, “Skyline in Central Time” and his current single “Start the Dance” elicit that lively Petty/Springsteen spirit and sound great when you’re blazing down the highway. Rocking out to them this week, I only wished that it was summer, and I had my convertible top down!
When asked what Americana music was, my flippant answer was “Country music that doesn’t suck.” I later gave a more detailed one which described an Americana artist to be one who writes their own songs, plays an instrument and sings without Auto-Tune. In other words, there’s much more to the package than just wearing a hat and warbling on stage.
Ross Cooper is one new Americana artist who I find satisfying on all three counts: writing, playing and singing. And if there’s justice in Music City, his upcoming record “I Rode the Wild Horses” will surely get him the notice he deserves. About wearing that hat, Cooper has every right to do so. For as the haunting title track of his record reveals, Ross was once a rodeo cowboy back in his native Texas.
While the Lubbock native’s bio comes with an enticing RIYL (“recommended if you like”), I was also equally impressed with his RBHL (“recommended because he likes”) that you will read below. My thanks to Ross Cooper for introducing me to his music and subjecting himself to my 11 Questions.
Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?
I’m from Lubbock, TX originally. I moved to Nashville a little more than five years ago. I moved here because this town is the music mecca. I started finding out more and more about this phenomenal music scene that was happening under the radar. I had a bit of an epiphany when I realized all of the bands I was digging happened to live in East Nashville. It’s a really special time to be here.
There’s a lot of ways to make great Americana music. Singer-songwriter Derek Hoke comes at it in a laidback sultry style with smooth vocals and a mellow electric guitar. To me, he’s the Roy Orbison of the East Nashville music scene.
Over the years, Music City has become blessed with some regular weekly events that provide something special on any given night of the week. If it’s a Tuesday night and you’re not at The Basement for “New Faces Nite,” you need to be at “Two Dollar Tues” at The 5 Spot. Hosted by Hoke for seven years, this weekly event has been a showcase for many notable up-and-coming artists as well as a great time to hear Derek’s music.
Hoke had this to say to NPR about the $2 cover charge and $2 beer night: “I call it a speed showcase. Everybody plays five songs, and I tell them to play the ‘best of’ — you know, get up there, kill and get off. There’s somebody coming up right after you, and we have to plow through this thing.”
In addition to his Tuesday night gig, Derek plays festivals and tours in support of his fine musical catalog. 2016’s “Southern Moon” received high praise from both Rolling Stone and the Nashville Scene and his latest, “Bring the Flood” has just been released.