Bearing Torches Light the Way with ‘Never Heard Bob Dylan’
Who’s ready for a slice of modern heartland rock?
Monthly Archives: December 2018
Ralph’s Reviews: Demi the Daredevil’s 2018 At-A-Glance
Austin, TX-based musician Jeff Azar released three new singles under cinematic rock project Demi the Daredevil this year, giving a deep, introspective look at mental health; a subject many of us shy away from, and that few of us even care to acknowledge.
But, with the growing awareness of mental health issues and the toll they can take on our lives, Jeff’s message that needs to be heard loud and clear. And so, Jeff chooses to spread that message through the kind of music that grabs and holds your attention, due to both subject matter and quality.
“America Anonymous” leaves us to examine the choice our demons present us with, beginning with the words, “There’s a beast in me” and resolving, “I can kill it with a quick fix, or use it creatively.” “Lone Lady” looks outside of the self, as the protagonist seems more focused on helping someone else deal with their demons instead of focusing on his own.
A particularly powerful moment lies in the subtext of “Ain’t it Tragic,” which copes with unexpected loss and finishing something that was started as a team, alone. I can only speculate that it’s about the passing of the band’s primary songwriter and frontman, Jovan Ortiz, which left Jeff to finish the vocals on their first release.
There’s much more you can learn about Jeff Azar and Demi the Daredevil by visiting the band online or on Facebook. You can also listen to a sampling of the band’s best tunes below via Spotify.
Ralph’s Reviews: Have a Sampling of Scott Danger Bravo
Photo credit: Scott Danger Bravo
New York-based songwriter Scott Danger Bravo has released a series of six singles throughout the course of 2018 that, in my opinion, definitely deserve some attention.
Skyward Story Previews ‘Reborn’ with Trading Secrets
Photo credit: Skyward Story
Baltimore pop rock trio Skyward Story has provided a glimpse into the future with “Trading Secrets,” a preview of their forthcoming album “Reborn,” set for release on January 18.
These Fine Gentlemen Show Off Versatility on “Old Flames”
If there’s one thing that stands out about “Old Flames,” the debut full-length album from Seymour, Indiana alt rockers These Fine Gentlemen, it’s versatility. The band clearly has a bevy of influences that made their way into its writing process, and the fact is that these six Gentlemen are already very good at channeling them all.
MerleFest Adds Brandi Carlile, Dailey & Vincent, and The Brother Brothers to 2019 Lineup
MerleFest, the annual “traditional plus” festival in Wilkesboro, NC, is proud to announce new artist additions for MerleFest 2019: Brandi Carlile, Dailey & Vincent, and The Brother Brothers. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, April 25-28.
Brandi Carlile: GRAMMY-nominated Brandi Carlile is currently celebrating her breakthrough new album, By The Way, I Forgive You, which debuted earlier this year at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Current Albums chart, Rock Albums chart and Americana/Folk Albums chart and Number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart—a career high for the Seattle-based group. Produced by Dave Cobb and Shooter Jennings, the album continues to receive overwhelming acclaim, including recent “Best Albums of 2018” coverage at Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard, NPR Music and more.
Most recently, Carlile joined forces with Sam Smith on a new duet version of “Party Of One.” Recorded at L.A.’s Capitol Studios, a portion of the profits from this recording will be donated to Children in Conflict via Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation as part of its ongoing campaign to raise $1 million for children impacted by war.
Beloved by fans and critics alike, Carlile has performed sold-out concerts across the world and has appeared on various TV shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Conan and CBS This Morning. Carlile will perform on Saturday evening at MerleFest.
Dailey & Vincent: Grand Ole Opry Members, five-time GRAMMY award winners individually, three-time GRAMMY award nominees collectively, four-time DOVE Award winners, and winners of 35 IBMA Awards altogether (including 3-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year Award winners and 3-Time Vocal Group of the Year Award winners), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, backed by one of the best bands on tour today, are some of the most reputable and elite entertainers in American music; bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music. Now on Season 3 of their nationally broadcast television series, “The Dailey & Vincent Show on RFD-TV,” Dailey & Vincent bring their music to a national audience on a weekly basis. After a decade spent performing together and with over 1,000 airings of their PBS special “Dailey & Vincent ALIVE – In Concert,” their concoction of fantastically instinctive vocal blends of Dailey’s tenor and Vincent’s reedy harmonies has gained them well-deserved praise for their own distinctive style and worldwide recognition as American Music gold. Their most recent live CD, Dailey & Vincent ALIVE, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass charts and remained at the top position for over 15 weeks. Dailey & Vincent will appear on Thursday at MerleFest.
The Brother Brothers: The Brother Brothers are Adam and David Moss, identical twins carrying on the folk tradition for a new generation. Using minimal instrumentation, heartfelt lyricism, and harmonies so natural they seem to blend into one beautiful voice, the siblings draw on the energy and creativity of Brooklyn, New York for their full-length debut album, Some People I Know. The Brother Brothers will make their MerleFest debut on Saturday.
“For over 30 years, one of the major factors that has built and sustained MerleFest has been the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the 4 day festival,” says Ted Hagaman, festival director. “People truly feel that the festival is a great value and that is why music fans and families return year after year. We feel that the 2019 lineup again reflects the diversity and quality of performers and we look forward to another successful festival in April.”
The three artists announced today join over 75 artists announced last month via Rolling Stone Country. Headliners include Wynonna & The Big Noise, Keb’ Mo’, The Earls of Leicester, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, and Peter Rowan and The Free Mexican Air Force. The Late Night Jam presented by The Bluegrass Situation will be hosted by Chatham County Line. In addition to the above mentioned artists, the following will be performing at MerleFest ‘19:
American Aquarium, Andy May, Ana Egge & The Sentimentals, AZTEC SUN, Banknotes, Bob Hill, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Blue, Catfish Keith, Charles Welch, David LaMotte, Dirk Powell Band, Donna the Buffalo, Driftwood, Elephant Sessions, Elizabeth Cook, Ellis Dyson & The Shambles, Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Happy Traum, Irish Mythen, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jess Morgan, Jim Avett, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Smothers, Jontavious Willis and Andrew Alli, Junior Brown, Junior Sisk, Larry Stephenson Band, Laura Boosinger, Lindi Ortega, Mark Bumgarner, Mark & Maggie O’Connor, Maybe April, Michaela Anne, Mile Twelve, Mitch Greenhill and String Madness, Molly Tuttle, Nixon, Blevins, & Gage, Pete & Joan Wernick and FLEXIGRASS, Presley Barker, Professor Whizzpop!, Radney Foster, Roy Book Binder, Salt & Light, Scythian, Shane Hennessy, Si Kahn & The Looping Brothers, Steve Poltz, T Michael Coleman, The Black Lillies, The Gibson Brothers, The Harris Brothers, The InterACTive Theatre of Jeff, The Kruger Brothers, The Local Boys, The Trailblazers, The Waybacks, Todd Albright, Tom Feldmann, Tony Williamson, Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Wayne Henderson, Webb Wilder, and Yarn.
Additional performers for MerleFest 2019 will be announced in the coming months. The lineup and performance schedule is accessible via MerleFest.org/lineup.
Tickets for next year’s festival, as well as the Late Night Jam, go on sale at 10 a.m. EST November 13, 2018, and may be purchased at MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 13 to February 17, 2019; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 18 to April 24. Remaining tickets will be sold at the gate during the festival.
About MerleFest
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
This Week’s #UMC20: Inspired by the Greatness Surrounding Us
Variety is the spice of life, and it certainly spices up the latest installment of our weekly #UMC20 playlist.
Stepping In: My First #LVUFirstFriday
December’s edition of the Lehigh Valley Underground First Friday Concert Series featured some memorable firsts and some returning favorites.
Don’t Skimp on the Metadata!
Think you can afford to skimp on the metadata behind your music on digital channels?
That is not the case.
The Delta Rae Revival: A Unique and Immense Live Music Experience
I originally heard about Delta Rae while living up in Bethlehem, PA. The lively country six-piece has come up to Christmas City a handful of times in the past, and even won our hearts with a high-powered song about the rise and fall of Bethlehem Steel on 2015’s “After It All.” Even so, I had never gotten the chance to take in the full, live Delta Rae experience…
…until Wednesday night.