If it weren’t for the Philadelphia Folk Festival, I don’t know if I would’ve discovered a fraction of my favorite artists — Valerie June is one of them. The Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist released her sixth […]
Tag: singer-songwriter
Lily Seabird Takes Flight on ‘Trash Mountain’
Folk rock has always been my favorite kind of music. From my early years listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to my love of The Weakerthans, Ben Kweller, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes and […]
The Solo Genius Returns: Lucy Dacus Hits Her Heartstrings on ‘Forever Is A Feeling’
One-third of the supergroup Boygenius, Lucy Dacus is back to her solo roots in her first album since the band released its 2023 debut, “The Record.” “Forever Is A Feeling,” the fourth solo album by […]
Joy Oladokun Tells Her Honest Stories Through ‘Observations From A Crowded Room’
The beauty and honesty on Joy Oladokun’s latest album, “Observations From A Crowded Room,” are captivating. Solely written and produced by the 32-year-old from Casa Grande, Arizona, her fifth album mixes her signature singer-songwriter style […]
Episode 42 – A Day Without Love
At the 61st annual Philadelphia Folk Festival, I sat down with Brian Walker, the force behind A Day Without Love. The festival, known for its diverse lineup and intimate setting, felt like the perfect place […]
Kacey Musgraves Spills It All On ‘Deeper Well’
Kacey Musgraves has always made music her own way. Nearly a decade ago, I reviewed her debut album, “Same Trailer, Different Park,” mainly because of the hit single “Follow Your Arrow.” On the uplifting track, […]
Episode 35 – Valerie Ann
Welcome back to The High Note podcast! My latest guest is sure to sprinkle some pixie dust on your day: the enchanting Valerie Ann. Valerie Ann is a Utah-based songwriter with a magical touch for […]
Episode 33 – Crys Matthews
Crys Matthews stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw her perform. Join me in a conversation with one of my favorite singer-songwriters about her songwriting process, her journey in music and how […]
Beabadoobee Expands Her Sound On ‘Beatopia’
The task of describing music genres has only gotten harder in recent years as influences and the power of online distribution platforms has gotten stronger. That just makes my job as a music journalist more […]
Jensen McRae Creates Personal Collection With ‘Are You Happy Now?
There is no discounting the effect of spontaneous kindness. I recently heard about this concept on one of the self-help podcasts that I subscribe to with the goal of calming-the-fuck-down (they are helping, I promise). […]