For years, Courtney Marie Andrews rotated between her solo career and as a touring side musician for artists around the world. During this time, she released five albums that went largely unnoticed. Her sixth album, Honest Life, though, was her breakthrough, being recognized among 2016’s very best recordings, including making it on our Favorite 50 Albums list. It was, as […]

Even at a young age, the spotlight followed Violetta Zironi. Born in the provincial town of Correggio in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Zironi picked up her first instrument at 3 and was playing in festivals with her family in her early teens. At 17, she made her television debut as a contestant on the Italian version of the X […]

 Mike and the Moonpies are the unfiltered image of modern-day Americana. They are six friends playing country music and trying to survive in an unfavorable environment. They’re back this year with their fifth studio album, Steak Night at the Prairie Rose. With a combination of sweeping guitars, warm organs and an embrace of traditional, simple recording techniques, they’re proving […]

Tyler Childers “You guys have one hell of a setlist worked out. Wish I was watching that show!”. The crowd called throughout for their favourites last Tuesday, but American country singer Tyler Childers knew exactly what he was going to perform before he packed his guitar up and strolled off into the night. Despite being only 26, the man from […]

“I’m starting to feel super country right now,” he said, drawing out the word super, standing with his guitar in front of a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking 59th street. It was impossible not to look behind him. “And I’ll get more redneck as we go. Ok, let’s get started! Are you into…sadness?” The crowd cheered.   John Paul White and his band, […]

Due to the avalanche of new music that has arrived over the past 36 hours, we’ve opted to split the The Matinee ’18 January 11th edition into two parts, dividing the 16 songs alphabetically. Part 2 is available here. Without further delay, let’s get to the music. The Cavves – “Beaches” (Wichita, KS, USA) RIYL: Dick Diver, Wavves, The Regrettes […]

Restless soul. Globetrotter. Dreamer. A life-long dreamer and wander. All these terms apply to Pauline Andrès, who has long searched for a place that will allow her to realize her most cherished dreams and, thus, to call home. Born in France and having lived in Berlin up until last year, Andrès has always been like a square peg in a […]

Making music is tough. Selling music is even tougher, so when you hear of an artist who pounded the streets to sell his CDs door-to-door, you know you’ve found someone with a passion to share their sounds. Blake Berglund is just such an artist, using the opportunity to talk with people about music while bringing in money to move his […]

Nicole Atkins has been one of the most consistent sources of great music over the last ten years. Her debut record, Neptune City, was a noir-pop masterpiece, and it was followed by three more great records. On her last LP, Slow Phaser, Atkins freed herself from big label obligation and did it on her own, with a little help from […]

The Matinee June 27th features another set of nine terrific songs. There is one song that might have you doing a double take since it’s not often we profile a country/bluegrass/Americana artist. But like so many of the artists we have featured and showcase today, he’s one excellent singer-songwriter. First, however, we kick things off with a duo who have […]

Our premiere of the signature single “Carolina” from Brady Toops’ sophomore album Tried & True praised his strong yet authentic vocals. Was it too much to expect that the rest of the album would deliver the same quality? After all, the single release usually showcases the artist’s best work, and Brady had set the bar high. He does not disappoint. […]

Farm Days by The Ramblin’ Valley BandThis past weekend, The Ramblin’ Valley Band was joined by Canadian champion fiddler Louis Schryer and together filled Live! on Elgin with a full evening of entertainment. The band played three sets, comfortably performing various genres, including country, folk, blues and rock, all the while alternating lead vocal duties between Matt, Trev, and Joe. They […]

The Matinee February 10th has 9 awesome new tracks for your listening pleasure. We hope these songs get your weekend kicked off right. We hope you find your new favorite band or track today. As always don’t forget to check back tomorrow for our Saturday Sampler and then again on Sunday for our Weekend Showcase.   Bells Atlas – “N C […]

Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Margo Price, Kacey Musgraves, and Courtney Marie Andrews are often mentioned as artists who are reclaiming country music, bringing the genre back to the days of Cash, Williams, and Lynn. Across the Atlantic, another young and gifted singer-songwriter is doing her part to rekindle country music’s magic. For years, Unnveig Aas has dabbled in country, folk, […]

The Matinee January 23rd includes six new tracks for your listening pleasure. We hope the eclectic choice today brightens up your Monday. We have a mix of indie rock, post-punk rock, electro-pop, punk inspired rock, and country/Americana. Countries represented today include the US, UK, and Sweden. Dead Seem Old – “This Mess Won’t Make Itself” (London, England) RIYL: Dead Seem Old Dead […]

The Saturday Sampler November 26th takes you around the globe with 10 hot new singles from artists in Australia, England, Germany, and the USA. These artists all have a different sound, but the one thing they share is inspiration from the past. You may be surprised how many of these groups are inspired by groups from “the good ol’ days” […]

On this Thanksgiving Day, we offer a tidy 8 new songs on The Matinee November 24th edition. The mini-playlist is the perfect accompaniment for those looking for a break from eating, watching football, or being with the family or those who need some tune for the (in)digestion hours. If you don’t have the pleasure of celebrating Thanksgiving and are at […]

There is a bit of everything on the Saturday Sampler November 5th edition. From electronic to ambient, Irish folk to alt-country, neo-psychedelia to seismic indie rock, you will hear it below. Enjoy the first weekend of November!   Bonobo – “Kerala” (Los Angeles, USA via Brighton, England) RIYL: Tycho, Four Tet, Emancipator Ambient electronic artist Simon Green – aka Bonobo – expresses […]

It is hard to believe that it has been six years since Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin – a.k.a. Mandolin Orange – released their debut album, Quiet Little Room. In that time, they have graced the stages of some of the most prestigious festivals on the planet, including the incomparable Newport Folk Festival. They have also averaged nearly a record a year, which […]

The final long weekend of summer has passed, which means the kids are back in school and the grind of the 9-to-5 returns. To help ease you back into your routine, The Matinee September 6th has eight new singles. There is everything from soothing bedroom pop to euphoric shoegaze-y dream-pop to blistering punk-rock. So sit back, relax, and hear some […]