Melissa Carper is certainly not re-inventing country music. Her music is the epitome of "old timey," except she does bring a certain modern sensibility to her songs. Her latest single, "Somewhere Between Texas and Tennessee," is a perfectly simply country/folk song. She's also an expert of adding a little bit of humor and lightheartedness to her songs without coming across as jokey or turning them into a parody. Her sound comes from a pure love of the genre. A song like "Somewhere Between Texas and Tennessee" honors the past of country music while still looking forward.
You can listen to "Somewhere Between Texas and Tennessee" below. Borned In Ya is due out July 19 on Mae Music/Thirty Tigers, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Melissa Carper, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.
7/5 - Roskilde Festival - Roskilde, DK
7/6 - Huercasa Country Festival - Riaza (Segovia), ES*
7/18 - Showboat Saloon - Wisconsin Dells, WI
7/20 - 7/21 - Hiawatha Music Festival - Marquette, MI
7/25 - Globe Hall - Denver, CO
7/27 - Red Ants Pants Music Festival - White Sulphur Springs, MT
7/28 - Concerts on the Commons - Teton Village, WY
7/30 - Shrine Social Club - Boise, ID
8/1 - Fry Family Farm - Medford, OR
8/2-8/3 - Pickathon - Happy Valley, OR
8/4 - The Showdown - Portland, OR
8/6 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
8/7 - District Bar - Spokane, WA
8/8 - Lewis & Clark Brewery - Helena, MT
8/9 - Longstaff House - Missoula, MT
8/10 - The Harlo Music Project - Harlowton, MT
8/11 - Pub Station Taproom - Billings, MT
8/13 - Aggie Theatre - Fort Collins, CO
8/16 - The Heights Theater - Houston, TX%
8/17 - Longhorn Ballroom - Dallas, TX%
9/1 - Texas Ballroom - Omni Hotel - Fort Worth, TX*
9/5 - McGonigel's Mucky Duck - Houston, TX
9/6 - Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe - Galveston, TX
9/7 - The 04 Center - Austin, TX
9/11 - Schubas Tavern - Chicago, IL
9/12 - Lamplight Sessions - Mosinee, WI
9/13 - 7th St Entry - Minneapolis, MN
9/14 - Thrasher Opera House - Green Lake, WI
9/15 - Shank Hall - Milwaukee, WI
9/17 - Rose Bowl Tavern - Urbana, IL
9/18 - The Burl - Lexington, KY
9/19-9/21 - AmericanaFest - Nashville, TN
9/22 - The White Water Tavern - Little Rock, AR
9/27-9/29 - Sisters Folk Festival - Sisters, OR
10/13 - Red Dragon Listening Room - Baton Rouge, LA
Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
Photo by Rachel Cassels The Cairo Gang is mostly Emmett Kelly, who recorded most of their upcoming album, Goes Missing, on his own while travelling. "Be What You Are" is pure pop gold, reminiscent of British invasion bands like The Kinks and The Zombies. It features jangly guitars and some of the most infectious layered vocals you've heard in years. Luckily the beauty of this style of music is that it never quite sounds dated. It might sound like it's from a certain era that happened 50 years ago, but everything you've ever listened to since then borrows so heavily from it that it always sounds current. It's the kind of music you wish you hadn't missed, only now you haven't. Goes Missing is due out June 23rd on God? Records. You can pre-order the album now, and be sure to check out The Cairo Gang's Facebook . Listen to "Be What You Are" below, and below that are tour dates, many opening for Mikal Cronin. Sat. Sept. 5 - Portlan...
Photo by Sultana Garritano Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved. DJ Haram says of her latest single: "‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated." You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here . For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter . Upcoming tour dates a...
