Sisters In Song

 We really enjoyed talking with Mary Bragg about her new EP “The Quiet One” OUT TOMORROW (1/23/25). We got really deep chatting about the importance of listening, getting lost in theactivity of writing, accepting your inner critic rather than fighting it, and so much more including her recent wedding!  

An artist, songwriter, producer, and engineer, the Swainsboro, Georgia native began to fully come into her own with her 2017 record, the critically acclaimed Lucky Strike. Hailedas a “sublime distilling of Southern grit” by NPR, the album dipped its toes into a kind of radical honesty that Bragg had only previously hinted at, which she then committed further to for her self-titled album, Mary Bragg, released in 2022. Covering heartbreak, divorce, coming out, grief, and self-actualization, Mary Bragg depicts themes centered around the life tenets most important to her – love, kindness, and honesty.  

Bragg tours extensively, both with her band and solo, playing headline and festival dates to ever-growing audiences across the US, Canada, and Europe. Since earning her Master of Artsin Songwriting and Production at BerkleeNYC, Bragg just released a lush new EP, Tie Me to You, and hints at a forthcoming full-length record. Having opened tours for the Indigo Girls, The Secret Sisters, Mick Flannery, and even Miranda Lambert, Bragg is gearing up for a robust chapter, because, as Saving Country Music said, “Watch out.” 

Check Mary out here— 

We had a great conversation with Nathan Jacques about his concept album "The Dark Wanderer and the Bounty Heart," its accompanying videos, and 'Western Noir."

Hailing from quiet, wooded mountain towns of New England, Nathan Jacques is a singer/songwriter now based in Los Angeles, CA. Contrary to his geographical roots, Nathan paints deeply woven narrative stories in cinematic soundscapes that are undeniably and irresistibly western. 

Starting with his 2021 debut album, "Loud Mind," Nathan has been building his brand and following offering something different than the traditional country trend taking Los Angeles and the rest of the country by storm. His unique sound features powerful yet soothing baritone vocals shepherding audiences through dramatic stories in song. Listening to Nathan Jacques feels like traveling through time and dreams into landscapes of classic films and records of old.

Check Nathan out here--

 We talk with Alice Wallace on this episode about her recent release “Here I Am,” (released June 2024) imposter syndrome, and the endless way to write a song.    

Four years ago, Alice moved to Nashville after more than a decade in southern California, and Here I Am is the first of her albums to be recorded in true Music City style, backed by alineup of world-class musicians and recorded in two whirlwind days with no rehearsal. Produced by Nick Buda (Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton), the album features some of the most talented musicians Music City has to offer.

In addition to Nick Buda on drums, the record features GRAMMY-winning guitarist Kenny Greenberg (Willie Nelson, Wynonna Judd, Hayes Carll), bassist Ted Pecchio (Doyle Bramhall II, Susan Tedeschi), and keyboardist Jimmy Wallace (The Wallflowers).  

“This is an album about reclaiming myself–as an artist, as a woman, and as a person navigating a world that is beautiful and confusing and harsh,” she says. Since releasing her last LP, her life has changed immensely - a cross-country move, a career unexpectedly halted in 2020, falling in lovemore deeply than before, and being heartbroken more painfully than she ever knew she could be. “All of those changes gave me a chance to examine myself in ways I never had. This album covers a spectrum of emotion I haven’t been brave enough to share on an album before,” she continues. “This album is me.” 

 Check Alice out here— 

In this episode, we talk with Melanie Maclaren about giving herself permission to be an artist, crediting history, comedy, and philosophy as influences and her EP “Bloodlust.”  

The EP "Blood Lust's" writing came from a period in Melanie’s life that was marred by grief,loss, and illness. The project is an ode to seeing things as they are - without mythology or artificial glory. Not to shy away from life’s paradoxes and dualities of life, this project is Melanie’s most high-spirited anthemic music to date. The songs draw deeply from 90’s country influences with hints of Lucinda Williams, Silver Jews, and Gillian Welch, all while staying true to herinstinct for flipping conventions of the genre and subject matter on their head. Melanie’s lyrics have been described as “haunting yet humorous” and possessing a “sentimental cynicism” that “oozes with Gen-Z relatability.” This duality shines through in all aspects of her music—she’s a classical finger-style guitar who grew up playing classical but uses ambient beds and distorted traditional instruments to punctuate her compositions. At her core, Melanie is a realist with a gift for language that extracts beauty from even the darkest reality and a unique ability to blend a tongue-in-cheek sensibility with timeless style.  

Check Melanie out here— 

 We had a great time talking with Will Wesley from the road! He phoned in his interview on his return home from the Josie Awards, after performing at the CMA stage and receiving 4 nominations. We visited about his song “12:00 in Texas” which he wrote for his brother whopassed away from a drug overdose, putting the cellphone and going outside.  

Grit has forever seeped from the pores of country rocker Will Wesley. He was born a rebellious one, sneaking into bars at 15 to play the blues that pumped through his veins. But today, Wesley follows in the footsteps of artists such as Eric Church and Jason Aldean, more than ready to show off his rock edge as much as his tender, lyrical heart. And despite a career that has already found him touring several countries in Europe and Southeast Asia, performing in venues such as the Switzerland International Country Music Hall of Fame and the Jackson, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, playing alongside the likes of Alabama, Jason Boland & the Stragglers and Robert Cray, this is somewhat a new beginning for Will Wesley as he finds himself ready to conquer the world. 

Check Will out here--

We had an amazing chat with Hannah Juanita about her second full length album, "Tennessee Songbird," (released 8/30/24), the sense of community she found when she moved back to Nashville, and touring with her dog Loretta.

Hannah Juanita recorded ‘Tennessee Songbird’ at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN; her second full-length album following 2021’s ‘Hardliner’. Produced by Mose Wilson, the album features an all-star Nashville band with Bruce Bouton, Dennis Crouch, Chris Scruggs, Fred Eltringham, Riley Downing (The Deslondes), and more.

Hannah Juanita left her home state of Tennessee in her early twenties to break out of a stifling culture of conformity and meet the world. She travelled in search of herself, worked odd jobs, and spent countless nights singing fireside under the stars with friends, never pursuing music as a career.

Eventually, Hannah made it back to Tennessee, landing in Nashville with nothing but herdog Loretta, her guitar, and a handful of heartbreak songs. She started singing around town and quickly became a staple live performer and a highly respected vocalist in the traditional country scene in Music City, known for her classic, old-school sound.

Check Hannah out here--

We had an amazing chat with Casey Neill about his latest release "Time Zero Land," sequencing the album, and something music fans should never do!

Portland, Oregon-based songwriter Casey Neill talks about time zero land  (released July 26th on Fluff & Gravy Records). This album follows last fall’s Casey Neill & the Norway Rats’ Sending Up Flares, and includes two outtakes from those band sessions. Neill engineered the rest at his home studio and plays the lion's share of the instruments. It's a dreamy affair with sonic homages to Elliott Smith, Nick Drake, Sade, the acoustic side of Rust Never Sleeps, and the Brit-folk pioneered by Bert Jansch, Richard Thompson, and June Tabor. One of the things people often say about the Norway Rats is how their music defies easy genre categorization and while Sending Up Flares leans into the fruits of that collaboration, time zero land embraces the influences and craft songwriting that has been at the core of Neill's work. 

A prolific songwriter and road warrior since the late 1990s, Americana and Scots/Irish-folk influences have often underscored his songwriting. Sending Up Flares hints at a European influence too, with songs that channel everything from the cinematic sweep of golden-era U2 to the dark, complex alt-rock of PJ Harvey. If time zero land is intimate and largely acoustic, then Sending Up Flares is broad, eclectic, and every bit as explosive as its title. A four-piece string section (Bizarre Star, arranged by Kyleen King) adds a symphonic punch to “How Beautiful Am I?,” the album’s tribute to Marianne Faithfull. Synths, stacked vocal harmonies, and burbling electronics run throughout “Fall Into Forever,” bringing to life the song’s bizarre storyline involving a Tokyo typhoon, Dante’s Paradiso, and pop star Britney Spears. Together, these 11 songs shine new light on a band who, after more than a dozen years together, have arrived somewhere singular and startlingly unique. 

Check him out here: 

We had a great time talking with Ward Richmond about his recent release "Spaciouness," (released 9/9/24) writing without the intention of making an album, and finding balance.

Ward Richmond is a Dallas, Texas-based artist, podcaster, and commercial real estate entrepreneur. He is also a human being whose vast tapestry of life experiences threads (and shreds) through his latest album, Spaciousness (self-released). A nine-track collection of songs that examines Ward's journey to find peace after spending much of his life, living unconsciously, deep within the addict energy field. 

Richmond's journey from the chaotic days of his early music career to his current state of mindful serenity is reflected in every note on Spaciousness. This album represents a significant chapter in his life, offering a window into his ongoing quest for peace and balance. It is a celebration of living in the present moment, making choices that foster tranquility, and creating music that embodies the essence of spaciousness. When asked his goal for this record, he responds with, "To be one with the Tao." 

Check him out here:

We were so thrilled to get to talk with Rebecca Correia about her latest singles "Rose Colored Glasses, " and "Talk to a Girl" as well as her amazing new EP "Flying." Such a pleasure to talk with this talent!

Rebecca Correia is a gifted singer-songwriter who has penned over 250 songs since the age of 9. She averages 150 shows per year and divides her time between Rochester, MA, and Leipers Fork, TN. Known for her compelling performances, Rebecca accompanies herself on guitar, piano, and mandolin, demonstrating her versatility and depth as an artist.

She has collaborated with Grammy Award-winner Keb' Mo' and shared the stage with artists like Natasha Bedingfield, Shawn Colvin, and Livingston Taylor. Rebecca also frequently performs with Matt Cusson, Melissa Polinar, and Celisse, highlighting her broad appeal and the respect she commands in the industry. 

Check her out here: 

We are so thrilled to present this episode with the Young Fables. We had a great talk about mental health, their documentary (available on Prime) "The Fable of a Song" and their recently released album "Short Stories". 

The Young Fables (TYF) create music with classic storytelling weaved into Country music with pop sensibilities. East Tennessee (Maryville) natives, Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford are influenced by timeless treasures like Patsy Cline, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Campbell and Chet Atkins. The duo’s unique sound has resonated with audiences around the globe as live performances have become stages from which The Young Fables discuss themes and topics typically saved for the therapy couch. Strong advocates for mental health awareness, The Young Fables are focused on helping to erase the stigmas surrounding the topic. Recognizing the duo’s advocacy, the pair were honored with The Troy Gentry Compassion Award in 2021 for compassion, commitment, kindness and love.

Their whimsical yet unmistakable blend of Country and Pop has garnered praise from industry icons and tastemakers. Nine-time GRAMMY® Award winner Sheryl Crow once tweeted, “Laurel’s as good as any country singer out there!” Their releases have earned them recognition, including a spot on Rolling Stone's "10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week."

Check them out here: