Sisters In Song

 What a great conversation we had with Dylan Stone of the Unfaithful Servants. We got to talk with him on his walk about how he writes a song and brings it to the band, his “Beatles Bible,” and how the band got its name.   

The Unfaithful Servants, the acclaimed Folk/Americana band from Vancouver Island will release their sophomore album, Fallen Angel, on October 17, 2025. Labeled as "Canada's most excitingNewgrass band" (Seaside Music Festival) the group are known for their captivating energy on stage, compelling storytelling, masterful musicianship and powerful vocals. The Servants expertly blend elements of bluegrass, traditional folk, and Americana music for a truly infectiousacoustic sound all their own. With critically acclaimed performances at Vancouver Island MusicFest, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, and a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, they continue to make waves in BC and beyond.   

Mandolinist Jesse Cobb, a Grammy-nominated founding member of The Infamous Stringdusters, has played with legends like Béla Fleck and Lee Ann Womack. Singer-songwriter Dylan Stone, a modern troubadour, has shared the stage with Keith Urban and performed for Lou Reed. Now joined by fiddle virtuoso Quin Etheridge-Pedden and bassist Mark Johnson, the band embarks on an exciting new chapter. Their 2019 debut album, produced by Grammy-winner SteveSmith, fused bluegrass, folk, and rock, establishing their reputation as boundary-pushers in Americana/Bluegrass music. The Unfaithful Servants continue to push the boundaries of Americana/Bluegrass music with their unique, high-energy sound.    

Be sure to check them out here: 

 We had a great time catching up with Iowa Music Hall of fame Inductee and friend, Maxwell Schaeffer. We discussed how he fell in love with music (like so many of us) through the Beatles, how he got inspired to write music after going to a Neil Diamond Concert and his unique perspective as a long-time radio guy on music! 

Maxwell Schaeffer is a singer-songwriter, composer, and lyricist whose “song stories” blend heartfelt storytelling with the rootsy textures of acoustic Americana, country, alt-country, and acoustic rock. A decades-long composer, radio personality, voice artist and podcast creator,Maxwell’s distinctive voice and easygoing authenticity carry through his musical work. His songs capture the humor, heartbreak, and humanity of everyday life—crafted with the same warmth and narrative spirit that made him a familiar voice to generations of Iowa listeners. A proud inductee of the Iowa Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Maxwell continues to share his creative voice through performances, recordings, and collaborations that celebrate connection, place,and the timeless art of storytelling through song.   

Listen to Maxwell’s music on Spotify and check him out onhis Facebook at Maxwell Schaeffer  

 It was great to catch up with Joshua bout his latest release “Broadcast to the Surf Ballroom” which is a tribute to his heroes and influences Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The album AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE includes songs taken from Holly and Valens unfinished demos and completed by Josue as well as originals, including the one on this episode “Oh Selina.”   

Joshua Josue is a rising bilingual singer-songwriter and performer blending Latin soul, R&B, and pop with heart-centered storytelling. A native of Eugene, OR and Los Angeles, Joshua has captivated audiences across the U.S. with his emotionally-charged performances and versatile vocal range.    

Be sure to check Joshua out here:  

 We talk with Paige King Johnson about her Grand Old Opry debut, where she was invited by the legendary Pam Tillis, her first UK tour, and her great frame of mind! 

  In a quiet North Carolina town 22 miles south of Raleigh, as a young 9-year-old girl, Paige King Johnson spent her days imitating the styles of Loretta, Patsy, Waylon, and Merle. Having a grandpa as her biggest fan also meant receiving the gift of her first guitar – a baby Taylor - and enrolling in lessons. After her grandpa passed, the bright-eyed dreamer carried on hismemory by taking her newfound discovery to local fairs, festivals, and any other stage she was allowed to stand on. As she grew older, Johnson added “opening act” to her resume, supporting chart topping artists like Kane Brown, Oliver Anthony, Randy Houser, Joe Nichols, Gabby Barrett, Clint Black, Diamond Rio, Scotty McCreery, Tracy Byrd, Kylie Morgan, Lonestar, Neal McCoy and more. 

And with high school graduation came the realization that this was more than a hobby. The Angier native traded in horse pastures for the bright lights of Music City in 2015. Upon starting school at Belmont University for Music Business, Johnson honed in on the magic that had heavily influenced her as a child: the art of storytelling thru songwriting.   

After stepping into the spotlight with her debut single “Water Down The Whiskey”, climbing to the #29 spot on Music Row charts, Johnson moved on to her next projects with the release of her singles “Just Like You”, “She Holds This House Together”, “Baby Don’t” & more that completed her debut album, Honky Tonk Heart. Working alongside country-legend Pam Tillis, Johnson created multiple music videos which premiered on Country Music Television (CMT), RFD-TV, Cowboys & Indians, Heartland TV & Newsmax. Most recently, Johnson & Tillis tookon The Grand Ole Opry stage together for Paige’s first time stepping into that hallowed circle. 

Be sure to check her out here: 

 We chat with cousin country duo Magnolia Rising and what a blast! These ladies, who came from a huge family talk about how they became a duo, their unique songwriting process, and having your own personal wordsmith. We also talk about the Kazoo!   

Magnolia Rising is on fire! Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle (formerly of Chapel Hart) follow their breakout debut with “Hit The Ground”, a gritty, high-energy anthem AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE that captures what it truly means to rise after the fall.   

As featured in Billboard, The Tennessean, and Nashville Lifestyles and more, the duo has quicklybecome one of country music’s most compelling stories. Magnolia Rising isn’t waiting for permission; they’re defining their next era on their own terms. Hit The Ground is more than a song; it’s a declaration of motion, courage, and the unstoppable drive that’s propelling them forward.   

Be sure to check them out here: 

 So many exciting things happening for this episode’s guest Bailey Cole! She told us about her reimagining of the Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy” (AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE) and her debut album that just dropped called “Chapter One.” Bailey talked about how she came out of her shell, thepower of YouTube and the message of light she wants to share with her music!    

Bailey Cole doesn’t just sing—she exhales truth. With a voice that cuts through the noise and lyrics that feel more like confessions, she’s carved out her own lane in the pop-soul world: cinematic, unfiltered, and deeply human. Her music isn’t here to distract you from your feelings—it’s here to sit with you in them. 

Raised an only child in the middle of chaos, Bailey turned confusion into creativity. Her earliest songs were born out of a need to process life—growing up surrounded by addiction, heartbreak, and the kind of questions kids shouldn’t have to ask. Now, she writes with the clarity ofsomeone who’s done the work—and the fire of someone who still has more to say. 

Drawing inspiration from artists like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Banks, and Katy Perry, Bailey blends theatrical storytelling with raw soul, making music that’s as bold as it is intimate. Her songs explore themes of pain, healing, identity, and that stubborn kind of hope that keepsshowing up even when life doesn’t go easy on you.   

Whether it’s on stage with a full band and fog machines or in a stripped-down acoustic set, Bailey commands attention without asking for it. Her live shows are emotional experiences, built around connection—not perfection. She’s not trying to be polished. She’s trying to be real. 

Offstage, she’s equal parts old soul and goofball. Yes, the songs are heavy—but Bailey? She’s light. She laughs hard, feels deeply, and cares a lot about leaving the world better than she found it. Especially for the kids growing up in homes like hers. 

Bailey Cole is here for the misfits, the feelers, the late-night overthinkers, and anyone else trying to make sense of a messy world. If you’ve ever needed proof that healing is possible—this is your sign, and she’s your soundtrack.   

Be sure to check Bailey out here: 

 We sat down with West Virginia/ Nashville/ New York-based Olivia Ellen Lloyd and had an amazing conversation. We chatted about Olivia’s most recent release “Do It Myself” which was released in 2025 and was very much a DIY project for her. We discussed how her music has evolved and how she trusts her mind and gut when songwriting.  

Olivia Ellen Lloyd will try anything once. From flight attendant school in Dallas to producing theater in New York and teaching in Guatemala, Lloyd sought adventure but struggled to find a greater sense of purpose - until she found her way back to music. Channeling that restlessspirit, she writes songs that dig deep for hope in the face of hardship. Her debut album, Loose Cannon, has been streamed over 1 million times while she has been crossing the country playing shows, winning songwriting contests (like Kerrville New Folk in 2023) and generally eatinglife down to the rind. She also works as an in-demand side woman, singing backingvocals for the likes of Lizzie No, Emily Scott Robinson, and as part of the Resistance Revival Chorus, with Renee Rapp at the 2024 All Things Go festival.   

Lloyd has spent the past three years doubling down on her efforts to build community within the Alt-Country and Americana scene while deepening her working partnership with Mike Robinson, an in-demand sideman known for touring and recording with the likes of SierraFerrell and Zach Bryan. Mike served as her producer and primary instrumentalist on Do It Myself. 

 Be sure to check out Olivia Here: 

 We had a very interesting and touching conversation with Courtney Hartman about her latest release, “With You,” which conveys the theme of giving and receiving care. Courtney talksabout balancing being a mom and a career musician and the fulfilling feeling of“I made something.” Courtney’s 3-year-old even makes a guest appearance.  

Courtney Hartman, a Wisconsin-based, Colorado-born guitarist, singer, writer, and producer, hasspent 15 years deftly knitting together music communities across the bluegrass,folk, and indie scenes. She turned early acclaim (including a 2014 GRAMMY nomination for her work with folk quintet Della Mae) into true partnerships, writing and recording with an ever-growing family of fellow artists. PopMatters calls Courtney “a real-life folk troubadour and scholar, informed by her travels and the relationships that she’s built through them,” and Acoustic Guitar Magazine says she is “a songwriter that delights and disturbs.” Herfirst two albums, Ready Reckoner and Glade, featured collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, Anaïs Mitchell, Bill Frisell, and Sam Amidon. Over the past decade, Courtney has spent time in 28 different countries, seeking to bridge cultural divides through music diplomacy andcreative cooperation. Her upcoming release, With You, is a richly collaborative album centered around the themes of care and motherhood. It will be released independently on November 14 and includes performances by Watchhouse, Tift Merritt, Phil Cook, and more.  

Be sure to check Courtney out here: 

 In this episode we have the pleasure of talking with CannonPence, who performs under the name Twilark. We find out how the moniker Twilarkcame to be (through a dream!), and more about his debut release “The TamingTies Create.” 

We get insider information about the nuances of working inthe studio as a new artist, and more about the importance of Bandcamp!   

The Taming Ties Create, the debut album from Twilark, unfolds like a rediscovered memory: 

precise, disorienting, and wide open. Imbued with a quiet force, these are songs for early mornings or late nights, when reflection becomes reckoning. The indie songwriting project of North Carolina–based artist Canon Pence, Twilark emerges from the crossroads of southern melancholy and gothic folk. A melodic collection of raw emotion, sonic sophistication, and aching beauty, The Taming Ties Create weaves introspective storytelling, emotional nuance, and atmospheric instrumentation into beautifully crafted indie rock.   

Pence is a self-taught musician whose relationship with the art form has long been private. Raised in a household where music was ever present but learning to play was actively discouraged, he found his way into bands in high school and college, teaching himself guitar and learning how to write through instinct and repetition. What began as a quiet personal exercise turned into something more urgent, more focused—a way of unburdening. Twilark took shape gradually, without a clear starting point or defined plan. The songs were written over several years, most of them at home, often late at night. Some were long forgotten before being unearthed for the recording sessions.  

Be sure to check Twilark out here: 

 Talking with Lex Lashaun was such a pleasure! She's a go-getter who has taught herselfguitar—left handed and still holds down a fulltime teaching gig! We discussedher excellent idea for how to get out of writers block and the importance of therapy. 

Lex LaShaun is a rising voice in modern country music whose songs blend heartfelt storytellingwith a soulful, down-to-earth style. Rooted in authentic experiences, her musicspeaks to life’s struggles and triumphs, capturing emotions that resonate with everydaypeople. With a natural gift for turning lived experiences into lyrics, Lex LaShaun has been carving out a space for herself in a genre that values honesty and connection. 

Lex LaShaun has built a reputation as an artist unafraid to be vulnerable. Her performances aremarked by smooth, powerful vocals and lyrics that balance strength with sensitivity. Whether singing about love, loss, or hope, she creates a space where audiences feel understood. With each release, Lex LaShaun continues to expand her reach, gaining recognition for her ability to make listeners feel like they’re part of the story she’s telling. 

As her career continues to grow, Lex LaShaun remains committed to creating music that upliftsand connects. Her vision extends beyond just performing—she aims to inspire others by showing that true artistry comes from embracing authenticity. With new projects on the horizon and a growing fan base, Lex LaShaun is poised to leave her mark on the country music world, one song at a time. 

Be sure to check Lex out here: