May 17

May 17 Review - Sarah Jarosz at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville

Sarah Jarosz brought her road-hot band to Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl last night. It was a homecoming of sorts for the Texas-born singer-songwriter who recently left New York for the Music City.

Jarosz’s new album, Polaroid Lovers, is a bold step toward the pop mainstream from a one-time folk/bluegrass prodigy. It’s a strong effort, but one that’s full of the kind of dreamy songs that might make for a sleepy live show. Jarosz’s energy and confidence – she was clearly excited to be playing in Nashville - as well as her musical chops and those of her band, kept things lively and allowed the new songs to flex.

May 16

May 16 Review - Ladybird: Amy Come on Home

John Schumacher

It's still spring, but the “hell yeah” album of the summer has already arrived. It's by a raucous alt-country band out of Milwaukee called Ladybird, and it's an ungodly amount of fun.

You know what I mean: You’re at a backyard party and this album’s cranking, at some point you’re going to raise your PBR and let out a “hell yeah!”

Ladybird has been playing around Wisconsin and beyond since forming three years ago, opening for Jess Williamson, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers and others, amid headlining their own shows too.

May 15

May 15 Review-Lost Dog Street Band: Survived

Phillip Ring

Over time, Lost Dog Street Band has developed a reputation for being uncompromising, sometimes antagonistic, but garnered a reputation for being an ethics first band. Truth and substance first, and the music matters as long as the story is true. A talented group of musicians that have, as they’ve progressed have sharpened both in their resolve, approach, and quality of art. Not a band to ever rest on good enough or accept mediocrity. This ethos has endeared them to a generation of music lovers begging for raw and real over polished and manufactured. There’s an honesty in the art that the band can only create through exposure to scars. While sometimes this approach can be sharp, cutting, and hard on artists, it’s been rewarding as a listener and appreciated as someone who strives to maintain ethics in my own art.

May 6

May 6 Review- Adeem the Artist: Anniversary

John Schumacher

Anniversary, the new release from Adeem the Artist, opens with a fanfare of crashing cymbals. It seems an appropriate start to an album that announces Adeem’s arrival on what should be a much bigger stage.

Already one of country music’s best songwriters, Adeem takes another leap forward with this latest release. Anniversary presents a dozen slices of life with Adeem’s trademark wit and intelligence, bolstered with a bigger sound aided by big-time producer Butch Walker (Green Day, Pink, Weezer and somebody named Taylor Swift) and a somewhat larger crowdfunded budget.

Apr 26

Apr 26 Review- Lance Roark: Live From Tulsa

Derek Scudder

On the north end of Main Street in downtown Tulsa, where the Crosstown Expressway crosses Easton Street, you’ll find one of the world’s top performance venues. Cain’s Ballroom was built in 1924, and originally served as an automobile garage before becoming a dance academy which morphed into a ballroom for public dances. Bob Wills called Cain’s home from 1935 to 1942 and helped popularize the room nationwide with his radio broadcasts. Ownership in the ‘70s booked many rising acts which led to Tulsa witnessing some incredible rock shows that a city of its size would not normally catch. When Leon Russell moved back to Tulsa and opened his Church Studio, that brought more music power to the city and the visiting rock stars often made their way to Cain’s. All of this is to say that, as a venue of its size in a city its size, Cain’s punches way above its weight in importance as a place for an artist to record a show for release.

Mar 29

Mar 29 Review- Scott Ballew: Rio Bravo

Melissa Payne

The problem with Scott Ballew is that you don’t know where to begin. Peeking into his bio is like embarking on a journey through a fascinating novel with chapters that each hold their own appeal, yet collectively seem too extraordinary to belong to just one man. From his days as a football star to his ventures in filmmaking and battles with addiction, and now emerging as a songwriter, Ballew's 40 years have been a whirlwind of experiences that are anything but ordinary. It's often said that experiences shape a songwriter, and if that's true, Ballew has that in spades. His introduction to Terry Allen, courtesy of their mutual friend Ryan Bingham, proved to be a pivotal moment, altering Ballew's perspective on life and art. Despite not venturing into songwriting until the age of 37, Ballew views writing as more than just a creative pursuit; it's a means of survival. Now, with his third album, Rio Bravo, set to release everywhere on March 29th, Ballew continues to carve his unique path in the world of music.

Mar 28

Mar 28 Review- Sarah Shook and The Disarmers: Revelations

Phillip Ring

Last year with the release of Mightmare’s debut record, I began my exploration of River Shook’s catalog and body of work, which meant a deep dive into the Disarmers catalog. What became immediately obvious to me is that River has always had a substantial power for writing songs with impact. The standout update for me was seeing the maturity in the musicianship and vocal approach to really drive those songs to places that most artists spend late nights agonizing over the details they're hoping to reach. It was simple but without losing any weight or power, it was sharpened and edited down to just hard hitting lyrics coupled with hummable melodies, and it was just what “rock” records should be. The last record River and company produced under the Disarmers moniker was also just an absolute powerhouse. This made me almost hesitant to review Revelations as I was afraid that it wouldn’t hit as hard without the novelty. Well, kind readers, it absolutely still hits like a southern accent tinged indie rock Mack truck head on collision. I shouldn’t be surprised, but somehow, I still am.

Mar 21

Mar 21 Review- Taylor Hunnicutt: Alabama Sound

Derek Scudder

It was the end of January before I finally caught up with Taylor Hunnicutt to talk about the release of her first full-length album. She had been dealing with quite a hectic month to say the least. Just before Christmas, she and her husband learned that they would have to move out of the house in which they were living and had hoped to buy. They scrambled to relocate in time to get packed after the holidays for a week in Key West at Mile 0 Fest. Returning from her debut at the huge festival (which she described as “magical”) there was only time for a quick turnaround before heading up to Virginia for a sold-out headlining show which was to be her only scheduled appearance in February. Then began the wait for the appearance of her long-awaited record Alabama Sound on March 22 via 10 Ton Records before she begins a string of dates including support slots and festival stages stretching through October.

Mar 14

Mar 14 Review- Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh

John Schumacher

The Wonder Women of Country are here to save us from the mundane in modern country music.

Three of country’s most distinctive voices – Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper and Brennen Leigh – have made their occasional team-ups official with a name and now an album, Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh, which comes out March 15.

The EP is a triumph, an easygoing demonstration of the enduring appeal of traditional country music in the hands of three masters of their craft. These songs are as traditional as cornbread yet fresh as a still-warm strawberry just off the vine.

The Wonder Women were born of mutual admiration and friendship.

Mar 12

Mar 12 Review- Dalton Mills: Good Place to Hide

Jolene Horihan

March 1st was a busy release day in the independent Americana and Country music genres. So, it’s reasonable that one may not have had the opportunity to listen to the new album by Dalton Mills, Good Place to Hide. I’m going to share with you many reasons why you need to have Dalton on your radar and this album in your rotation.

Throughout music history, Kentucky has been known to produce extraordinary songwriters and the Middlesboro native is no exception. At The Amp, we’ve been fans of Mills’ work for a while now; as evidenced by the review of his self-titled debut album in the summer of 2020. His sophomore release, Good Place to Hide unveils growth and wisdom only obtained through life experiences and the conscious effort of surrounding yourself with like-minded and objective musicians and songwriters.

Mar 7

Mar 7 Review- M.Dunton: Self Titled

Justin N. Kohrs

If you know a cool, hip, avid music listener or polymath and you suddenly popped over unannounced for a beer, M. Dunton’s self-titled album is most likely what will be playing through their speakers when you walk in. Dazzling and beautifully poignant, M. Dunton delivers a compelling cinematic, therapeutic soundscape that comes alive and then disappears like a thief in the night. Although nothing lasts forever, this eight song album is so insanely good that you hang onto every note, wishing upon a star that it would. M. Dunton is the consummate companion for those searching for an escape after a long week, providing the perfect backdrop as you sip champagne and soak in a hot bubble bath.

Feb 29

Feb 29 Review- Shane Smith & the Saints: Norther

Justin N. Kohrs

For some of us, it’s been awhile. For some, Yellowstone has left them wanting more. For some, this is the first introduction. No matter which group you identify with, a new chapter commences for everyone March 1st via Thirty Tigers/Geronimo West Records. After a decade of touring and paying dues with a blue collar work ethic, performing upwards of ~240 shows in a given year. The bill is about to be paid in full and this record signals another meteoric shift. Perhaps altering the trajectory of Shane Smith & The Saints forever, Norther is destined to fly off the shelves at a precipitous pace, left on repeat for the foreseeable future and promptly placed into its rightful position at the top of the charts.

Feb 26

Feb 26 Review- Ameripolitan Music Awards

John Schumacher

The Ameripolitan Music Awards are handed out during a show on Sunday night, but the four-day festivities offer more than that. Many of the award nominees, past and present, perform at venues around Austin Thursday through Saturday.

For fans, this isn’t your typical music festival where you pay a few hundred dollars for a weekend pass. Rather, you pay $20 to get into showcase sets over three nights at four classic venues in Austin. Several shows earlier in the day are at the hotel and free, along with dance lessons, vintage clothing vendors and plenty of socializing.

Feb 16

Feb 16 Review- Blackberry Smoke: Be Right Here

Derek Scudder

It’s hard to remember that Blackberry Smoke, now in its 23rd year, is still an independent band. To say they’ve toured relentlessly would be an understatement as they have continued to play practically any place that would have them. They will be out in 2024 for over 70 already-announced dates in the US and Europe, both headlining and supporting. Along with Cody Jinks and Whiskey Myers, Blackberry Smoke will be out supporting their latest release Be Right Here.

Feb 15

Feb 15 Review- The High Hawks: Mother Nature's Show

John Schumacher

There's a line on the new High Hawks album that we northerners can feel in our bones. “Driveway’s got a foot of ice / I swear it’s 10 below (ugh).”

Yeah buddy, along about now, mid-February... we feel that one.

That line comes at the start of “Somewhere South,” the sunny second track on the High Hawks’ second album, Mother Nature’s Show. “Somewhere South” is a breezy ode to getting the heck outta here and going somewhere, anywhere, where we can unclench, soak up some sun and have some fun with old friends.

An easy, comfortable warmth runs throughout Mother Nature’s Show. If it sounds like a gathering of talented friends making music, maybe that’s because it is.

Feb 14

Feb 14 Review- Scott Ashworth: Ghosts and Broken Men

Susan Wood

It is a foregone conclusion that Country, Folk, and Americana music has at least some of its roots in the music of the American South and Appalachian traditional music. In the 1917 publication “English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians,” folklorist Cecil Sharp describes, “The present inhabitants …are the direct descendants of the original settlers who were emigrants from England and, I suspect, the lowlands of Scotland. …I am unable to say; but it is fairly safe, I think, to conclude that the present-day residents of this section of the mountains are the descendants of those who left the shores of Britain some time in the eighteenth century.” It is no surprise then, that Scott Ashworth, hailing from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland makes his way to The Amp’s pages with his debut LP, Ghosts and Broken Men.

Feb 9

Feb 9 Review- The Dead South: Chains & Stakes

Ryan Bush

Clawing from the shadowy crevices of the traditional Bluegrass underbelly, The Dead South continue the creative tear behind their fourth full-length studio offering, Chains & Stakes, an epic collection that solidifies the four-piece, forty-fingered crew as a growing Americana staple. Embarking on the United States tour by kicking off the shenanigans in Cleveland, Ohio on February 12th, the band has gained explosive notoriety behind their loyal followers - The Good Company - a title pulled from 2014’s successful inaugural album of the same name.

Feb 2

Feb 2 Review- Taylor McCall: Mellow War

Justin N. Kohrs

We are starting 2024 with a banger: I am pleased to present to the world the one and only Taylor McCall. Never heard of him? Me neither. But, once I heard his hauntingly delicious voice echo through the palmetto trees and reverberate through my soul, seemingly calling to me from the great unknown, I was hooked like a five pound bass. Once Mellow War hits your ears, bask in the afterglow and soak up the intoxicating dreamscapes of heartbreak, missed opportunities and unrequited love. If you enjoy discovering exhilarating new artists before they blow up, Taylor McCall is the dark horse you have been looking for. Dropping Friday, Mellow War is not to be missed and decisively delivers on all fronts.

Jan 24

Jan 24 Festival Review: 30A Songwriters Festival

John Schumacher

I think they might have let me into the artists’ party by mistake at the 30A Songwriters Festival.

I wandered to the back bar of AJ’s Grayton Beach on opening night to check if anyone was performing there. Attendants at the door asked me if I wanted the free drink tickets. Momentarily confused but also not a fool, I said, “why, yes, thank you” and sauntered in.

The room was abuzz with musicians catching up with each other. I greeted a couple and wandered the room, soaking in the atmosphere and catching bits of conversation. These festivals are a treat for artists. So often touring alone, a fest allows them to chill and catch up with friends.

There’s a relaxed vibe throughout the 30A Songwriters Festival. It’s held every year over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in the Florida panhandle at about 30 venues along 20 miles of Highway 30A. Some 175 performers settle in for the weekend, playing multiple sets. You see them in coffee shops, walking along the beach or attending shows, and they’re often open to a chat or photo.

Dec 15

Dec 15 Single Review- Josh Mitcham: Liar, Liar

Ryan Bush

Unabashed about tackling new challenges within the bustling realm of musical genres, Josh Mitcham continues to grow his impressive catalog of creative successes without hesitation. Plucked fresh-from-the-vine today, the Kentuckian has released his premiere single “Liar, Liar,” from the forth-coming album, Color Shift, set to drop for ears everywhere on March 1st.