As it is in the up-and-coming songwriter world, there's usually a hill or two to climb, only negotiated by grit and talent.  So it's fitting that our interview with Becca Mancari had a few obstacles like chirpy birds and A/C units.  But, Becca was game and so were we.  

Stumbling upon a new artist that you fall in love with is a special thing.  That's exactly what happened when my sister and I went to the Susto show in Nashville at the unparalleled High Watt.  Unknowingly to us, Becca and her band were the opener, and opened up they did.  By the 2nd song she had drawn the apprehensive crowd up to the stage and started a dialogue of dancing and singing that lasted throughout her set.  Mancari's music flows between roots music and something a little more experimental, something more on the fringes.  But it's all held together by a voice worth paying attention to and songwriting rivaling any of her peers.  

After moving around from Staten Island, NY, to India, and eventually to Nashville, TN,  Mancari started her music career with a song and a job at a taco shop.  Both of these realities led her to recording her song "Summertime Mamma" with Adam Landry and Justin Collins, who have recorded Deer Tick, Middle Brother, Lilly Hiatt and Diamond Rugs (some good company).  Since then she's been busy recording her debut album "Good Women," recording a short film for her song "Arizona Fire", and setting up tours with Hurray for the Riff Raff and Susto.  She's on the rise and has made her way onto my list of artists I'm rooting for.  

Follow her on social media and stay tuned for her tentative album release date in September.  From what I've heard, it's going to be a good one. Tell your friends.

Kitchen Dancing /  Summertime Mama / Long Way Down

Hiatt has finished tracking her junior album Trinity Lane, which is set to release on August 25th.  We met at her boyfriend's cozy little studio, Magnetic Sound, along with their dog Waylon (that's the lapping sound in the background).  We talked about her experience traveling to Johns Island in South Carolina to record it with Michael Trent of Shovels and Rope, in the same house S&R recorded O' Be Joyful.  She also discussed how this album feels a little more like a straight forward rock band, and brings to light the same sense of anger and heartbreak from her previous album Royal Blue, but with a deeper understanding of where that comes from and how it manifests itself.  It seems to be a trend with artists that give up substances that their music afterwards hones in on their past and present with vignettes that truly touch on the human experience.  Below are some lyrics from a new song called Records that reads like a realization of what matters, and a raw tipping of her emotional hand.  

Haitt has received some stellar reviews of her new material showcased at SXSW and Record Store Day in-stores, and it's obvious why from the lyrics above.  She seems to have found a heavy introspection that's evident in all great songwriters, while still making it relatable to the listener.  I think everyone can relate to how a specific album has gotten them through tough times in their life, and Hiatt sounds to be no different.  She has some shows lined up proceeding the album release and plans on some heavy touring later this year.  

If you end up in Nashville make sure to check out her FB and IG accounts (@lillyhiatt) for random little shows.  She's a performer that's learned to love the stage.  Or at least isn't afraid of it.     

Luck is a pretty cool thing.  Recently, luck for me was being in Charleston, SC and finding out that T. Hardy Morris was going to be playing at local venue The Royal American.  For those that aren't familiar with him, Morris is a musician that will challenge anyone to define his sound.  He reminds me of Neil Young: he can write "Helpless" or "Harvest Moon", but then turn around and write "Like a Hurricane" or "Rockin' in the Free World" just as easily.  So when I had the opportunity to to go his show, I went. . . and brought along my recorder.

After chatting with Morris and his band off mic about what it was like to be playing with John Neff, we went back to his van and talked over a couple beers during the opening band's set.  We discussed his upcoming album and his process of deciding which songs go on which of his projects (there are many: Dead Confederate, Diamond Rugs, T. Hardy Morris, to name a few).  The genuineness of these projects draws me to Hardy as a musician.  Not many artists, in my experience, can offer up the range of honesty in all of the genres he plays.  In our discussion, Hardy talked about his relationship with John McCauley (Deer Tick), how Diamond Rugs formed, and how his solo albums came about their Alt Rock/Alt Country style.  

My dad has occasionally told me stories about his teenage years of the late 60's and early 70's in northern California.  One story he's mentioned is about infamous motors that inhabited a variety of cars young men and women drag raced on the weekends.  Some of these infamous motors were so reliable and strong that they could be put in almost any vehicle, and still not lose.  In the world of musicians Shane O'Malley Firek is to The Ferdy Mayne, what those motors were to the teenagers who embellished them.  He's been the only consistent member of the project, and has rebuilt the band multiple times with over 20 different members.  Through all of the iterations this band has produced, Firek has taken the role of the reliable and powerful motor pushing his band to winning speed, winning fans over one show at a time.  

The era of this analogy also fits due to his lyrical content and phrasing that is reminiscent of a Paul Simon or Bob Dylan type, where lyrical outpouring meets melody.  Firak surrounds his voice with a blend of spacey folk rock that can push more like a traditional rock song, I.E. "In the Thick of the Night", or more experimental like "Moonier".  But Firak's vocals and specific phrasing takes center stage on songs like "Roseanna" and my personal favorite "Slipping on Dimes".   

Firak and his band are currently on their way touring the brand new self titled album, cutting their teeth and avoiding pot holes, physical and metaphorical.  Their live set was just as impressive as the album, and I can't wait for them to come back to Columbus.  

Photo cred. Dan Mitchell / Mitchell Multimedia

We spoke with Carli Fratianne before Souther's show at Rumba Cafe.  She gave very inquisitive analogies, spoke about her influences, and how she recorded every instrument on one of her EP's.  She's one of the most immediately musical performers we've seen in Columbus in a long time.  Her music seems to explode out of her with every sway on stage.  It's high praise, and 100% deserved.  

Their newest EP, "Is for Lovers", is available now on their website.  They are currently working up a new release and have a list of dates available on their website where you can see this musical explosion for yourself.  

On a cold and lazy Sunday, we adventured over to a house in Grandview where the Yellow Paper Planes had gathered.  We talked with them about many things, important things, and not so important things.  This is a recoding of those things.  

Their album, "Building a Building" is publicly available on April 21, 2017.  Pre-Order is available and ships on April 1st.  I suggest ordering one of the limited run green vinyl records.  You can click here to purchase.  

We sat down with Aaron Lee Tasjan and Lilly Hiatt before their show at Rumba Cafe on November 1st.  We brought along some DK Diner donuts, recording gear, our attempt at some serious music journalism questions, and the following recording above is what followed.

Aaron Lee Tasjan hails from New Albany, OH and grew up learning guitar and melody from Elliot Smith songs, which is one of many genre crossing influences you can hear in his two solo albums.  He eventually moved out of Columbus and Bernie's bar and into East Nashville and his new favorite 12 bars.  You may know him from his days as a guitar player for Drivin N Cryn or the New York Dolls, but ALT looks to now be a fully formed solo artist creating master songs like Memphis Rain and Little Movies.  

Lilly Hiatt, a singer-songwriter with a simple wish.  A duet with Eddie Vedder.  As she performed with just her guitar and her songs, Hiatt swayed through songs of loneliness, boredom, and hope with an occasional stomp of her boot and pointed lyrics.  Her newest album Royal Blue was predominately displayed throughout the night but she also brought back some older favorites "Knew You Were Coming" and "3 Days". 

Thanks to Aaron and Lilly for chatting with us and playing beautiful sets, be sure to see them live next time they're in your area.   

Here's a collection of short recordings we got from the 2nd day of the festival.  Below is a list of the bands in order.     

Montezuma

Inbokeh 

Moira 

Pretty Pretty 

Inbokeh 

Montezuma 

We caught up with Honey & Houston at the Ohiolina Music Festival in Mount Vernon, OH after their set.  We talked about their home base of Cincinnati and what they're up to next.