Wes Tirey's deeply personal 2019 release No Winners in the Blues was just re-issued on vinyl via Full Spectrum Records. We catch up with Wes to gain some insight into its dark, lonesome sound, discuss his collaboration with electric guitarist Shane Parish and producer Andrew Weathers, and his songwriting process then versus now. Grab the album here: https://fullspectrumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/no-winners-in-the-blues

 In this interview, I ask Greg Loiacono all about the Mother Hips' new album, Glowing Lantern, made in the midst of the pandemic and embracing the collaborative spirit of the Hips' youth. I also ask Greg for lots of musical advice, and later we're joined by Tim Bluhm. The two share memories from their 30+ year career as professional musicians, including how they met and learned from each other back at Chico State, and the secrets to staying together as a band for so long. Thanks to Greg and Tim for joining, and please check out Glowing Lantern, out now on Blue Rose Music. Blue Rose also just re-issued all of the Mother Hips' albums on vinyl this year, and the Hips already have a new album in the works so stay tuned. 

If you're not new to Petal Motel dot com, you're aware of our revere for Neal Casal, as a musician, a songwriter, a guitarist, a music lover, and a person. Last year we did a complete retrospective on his solo albums, and well, there's a dedication to him imprinted on the bottom of the site, he's my #1 musical hero, the reason I have good taste (from scourging myself on every interview I could get my hands on and just listening to whatever he said to or played on), and, he's just missed immensely. He made such an impression on absolutely everyone he ever came into contact with..

Neal's friends and family started the Neal Casal Music Foundation to provide mental and physical healthcare to musicians, and to provide New York and New Jersey students with instruments and music lessons. Of several fundraising projects, the behemoth is Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal, a sprawling 41-song collection of tributes recorded by Neal's friends and colleagues, many of whom played on the originals. Each artist's interpretations are unique and spell-binding, and the entire pursuit is an enormous labor of love from Executive Producers Gary Waldman and Michele Augis and co-producers Jim Scott and Dave Schools. 

You can hear more about each individual song directly from the musicians who re-imagined them on the Highway Butterfly: The Stories of Neal Casal podcast. But today, we're sticking to the music. And who better to discuss it with than Michele Augis (Executive Producer and Marketing Director of the Neal Casal Music Foundation); Kevin Calabro (head of Royal Potato Family, the label issuing the album, and head of Calabro Music Media, the PR firm promoting the record); Jon Graboff (who played on 17 tracks on the album and of course played alongside Neal for many years); and Mark Feingold (fellow writer and music enthusiast, you'll recognize his writing from Terrascope.)?

In this episode, we discuss our initial reactions to the music, our personal standout tracks on the album, our favorite "deep cuts", and all those involved in making it share insights into the recording sessions, plus a few great Neal stories thrown in for good measure.

You can still order Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal through the Foundation's website.

Photo by Jay Blakesberg.

Spencer Cullum cut his teeth in Detroit playing with a rock and roll band before moving to Nashville and becoming an in-demand session player, playing with Miranda Lambert, Kesha, and Deer Tick. Eventually he began writing his own songs and invited Nashville luminaries like Caitlin Rose, Andrew Combs, Erin Rae, and Skyway Man to play on his record. Coin Collection is a timeless sounding blend of folk music, prog, and kraut rock, with breathy harmonies, dream-like (and intentionally obscure) lyricism, and of course, some killer musicianship.

We talked about him learning pedal steel from the legendary fellow British steel player B.J. Cole, how he became acquainted with the many luminaries on this record in Nashville, and how he's still nervous to sing his songs in front of people (and Enya!!)

Coin Collection was released digitally last year and is being issued on vinyl by Full Time Hobby (with a previously unheard track) and hits the streets tomorrow. Get it on Bandcamp.

Lou Turner is a native Texan and current Nashville resident. She plays with the band Styrofoam Winos and she released a solo album entitled Songs for John Venn last year on Spinster Sounds. She also published a book, Shape Note Singing, on Vegetarian Alcoholic Press.  Songs for John Venn is truly a glowing masterwork, reflecting on themes of transformation and finding the good parts of non-secularism while leaving others behind. We talked about the inherent spiritualism of making music in community, her artistic development as both a poet and a songwriter, writing as a means of being part of a global conversation, and finding optimism in watching the seeds you sow blossom.

Get Songs for John Venn on Bandcamp, and Shape Note Singing also on Bandcamp!

Johanna Samuels isn't a person who loafs around when touring slows down. She had a busy ass year while staying at home, organizing, community building, and writing copious amounts of songs. As we began to see the light, she released her gorgeous album Excelsior!, a deeply personal album dealing with topics ranging from love, sexual assault, the state of the world, death and loss. The album was named for how her dearly missed late grandfather signed his letters, "Excelsior!" meaning ever upward. And moving onward and upward is what Johanna's music does - it's a processing mechanism, a gorgeously orchestrated and thoughtfully crafted song suite that works to make beauty out of otherwise difficult or tragic situations. We are blessed to have alchemists like Johanna in our midst who are willing to share their innermost reflections and reveal the magic that uplifts us.

Get Excelsior! on Bandcamp. Out now on Mama Bird Recording Co.

I remember the *day* the first Rose City Band record quietly dropped, and when I say quietly, I mean, well, quiet in that distinct way the project's mastermind and (usually) sole member Ripley Johnson makes richly textured, vibrant psychedelic music without relying on noise or feedback alone. It took no time at all for the music internet to put together that the overlap in signature tones and licks from Ripley's other projects and those heard on Rose City Band were one in the same. 

As a huge fan of his work with Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, his artistic evolutionary arc embracing the cosmic country side of sound was a thrilling development, and the music just continues to get better. Hank sure ain't done it this way. Extremely complex and layered, Rose City Band's music is still deeply psychedelic, but Johnson's stylistic choices make his passion for the genre clear. He channels the Dead and Neil Young but makes the genre all his unique own.

This time around, Johnson invited fellow Portlander Barry Walker Jr. to add his space-y pedal steel to add even more sonic lushness to the sound. Ryan Jewell, John Jeffrey, and Sanae Yamada also make appearances on this record, rounding out Johnson's kaleidoscopic guitar riffs and his voice like the wind, and making that high lonesome sound a little friendlier. In its entirety, Ripley continues making connected, sublimely enchanting pieces of art that are a welcome welcome to summer but warm the soul all year long.

Earth Trip is out 6/25 on Thrill Jockey. Pre-order on Bandcamp.

Joe Bourdet has been a staple on the LA scene since the days of Josh Schwartz's Painted Hills and bluesy-rock outfit Whispering Pines, and more recently he's played GospelbeacH's Let It Burn and the upcoming Ben Reddell Band EP. At long last, he's releasing his solo debut, Meadow Rock, inspired by the rolling hills of California, the sounds of the canyon (this one a bit more Topanga than Laurel, but both are present), and the spirit of the folk pioneers and pristine engineers that went before him.

The record serves as an aural tour of the Golden State - from the Sierra Nevadas (Amongst the Pines) to the beaches (El Capitan), and all the spaces in between. In this podcast, Joe takes us through his musical history, his life that follows a similar map as the record, from the railroad towns on the outskirts of the Emerald Triangle to the surf of Santa Cruz to the sparkling city that is Los Angeles, where Joe resides today. Not that this album is only relevant in California or to Californians - there are more than enough pine trees and palm trees that translate well to anywhere, anyone, and ultimately, any time.

Pre-order Meadow Rock on Bandcamp.

Prolific songwriter, musician and poet Wes Tirey released his latest album, The Midwest Book of the Dead, on Dear Life at the end of April. Our wonderful contributor Lou Turner conducted a thoughtful written interview with Wes you can read here, but I was lucky to talk to him a bit more. Wes is an incredible lyricist and naturally his poems aren't shabby either. I wanted to ask him specifically about his identity as a writer, how he processes poetry vs. songwriting, and how he got into music. I highly recommend listening to the Talking Book podcast in which Wes reads a few of his poems from the chapbook available alongside the album.

Hearing Wes say that he identified with these lone Americana figures as a youngster makes a lot of sense. His writing and deep baritone very much aligns with this sort of American sensitive stoic figure - his vivid descriptions speak for themselves, and he shows you rather tells you about the rich emotionality of a scene. The Midwest Book of the Dead is an immense, detailed text; and his back catalog is full of gems as well.

Get The Midwest Book of the Dead on Bandcamp - and make sure to spring for the accompanying chapbook.

Rachel Dean and Tim Paul Gray, both accomplished performers, songwriters, and recording artists in their own rite, released their debut record together as Starlight Cleaning Co. just last week on Sofaburn Records. Produced by Bart Davenport and engineered by Joel Jerome, the duo recorded the album at their home studio, the very same Vetiver recorded last year's gorgeous Up On High in.

The sounds on this record span many genres - from the more obvious power pop references to jangly and even some heavy metal moments. Their unique sound, vocal performances that emanate powerfully separately and meld together flawlessly, and timeless lyrics give the record an instant classic feel. Highlights include "Train Wreck," "Joy Killer" and "House of Hangups," but every song is an absolute bop. They have great energy and without being certain, I have a feeling that this and their interpersonal charisma will translate well on stage. 10/10. 

Rachel and Tim, a real life couple, told me their story of coming together as musical and romantic partners, their songwriting process together, and of course we had to talk a bit about the album's guitar contributions from Neal Casal. The album has a lot of heart and talking to Rachel and Tim makes it clear why. 

Order Starlight Cleaning Co. on vinyl here!