Roots Rednecks and Radicals

This week's rotation features three amazing singer songwriters. Ian Noe, Colby T. Helms, and John R. Miller all have new music out. Their songwriting is really stellar and I am really enjoying the music they are putting out in the world. It's a bit folk, a bit country, and kinda bluegrass as well. I love it, I hope you dig it too!

Colby T. Helms is a folk/bluegrass musician from Virginia. He's made a name for himself playing his songs on TikTok and Instagram and developed a following. He's a young guy, but his sound is rooted in the deep music culture of his region. I had him on the show to talk about his new album One For The Loser. I hope you dig it!

I have three incredible artists lined up for you this week. Ratboys have a new indie folk album out. Twin Temple brings us the sounds of Satanic Doo-Wop. And Jake Blount has a stringband album that is stellar. I hope you dig it!

Charlie Parr is an American folk/blues musician that has been making socially conscious music for decades. Known for his cutting lyricism, he embodies a style of folk that is not seen very often anymore. His style is rooted in the blues, but he's developed a sound all his own. His new album Rooming House is a brilliant look at the working class in America. He's on the show this week to talk about his new album.

I was asked recently to do a concert review for the Japanese Punk Band Shonen Knife. They got their start back in 1981 and have been playing their Ramones infused punk rock for decades. In the early 1990s Kurt Cobain and Nirvana asked them to tour with the band, and that gave them some great exposure. I recently saw them with Men at Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket in Reno NV and it was a great show. I hope you dig this!

Billy Strings, Rhiannon Giddens, and Willi Carlisle all have new music out. Willi's new album was produced by Tyler Childers and I feel like you can really hear the influence on this track. Billy Strings continues to kill it with his blend of bluegrass and psychedelic rock. Rhiannon Giddens just never seems to miss. Her new track is beautiful and haunting as usual. This week they are all in The Rotation!

Kacey Musgraves has released her first all Spanish song. She teamed up with the ultra-famous Mexican Tejano group Intocable for a new take on her song Uncertain TX. She recently had them on stage to perform the song live. It's a great blend of Country music and Mexican culture and I am here for it!

Eraser is a punk band out of Philly. They just released a new album called Operator and I had a chance to chat with them about it at a show they played in Reno. They were at the Holland Project and we got a chance to talk before the show. Shout out to the openers that night, Rotten Heights, and Rotary Club. Also big thanks to the Holland Project for having me. I hope you dig the episode!

Recently Tom Morello did an interview where he revealed he did not vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. This has sparked some controversy online about voting and what we should be doing in the age of Trump. I think his views are much more nuanced than people are giving him credit for and we should be talking about that.

Beck is know for his hits like Loser and Devi'ls Haricut but many people don't realize he's always made folksy, singer-songwriter music. This new album has him exploring those roots on a deep and introspective journey. It's equal parts folk, and country. I really love this album. I hope you dig it!

What happens when you discover a hidden 1960s love poem written by Johnny Cash? You put it to music. In this episode, we sit down with veteran drummer and songwriter Alex Orbison to discuss the release of his incredible debut solo album, Love And Loss. Alex takes us behind the scenes of his standout new track, "Let's Put It To Music," revealing how he collaborated with John Carter Cash at the historic Cash Cabin to finish a lost piece of country music history written for June Carter Cash. We also dive deep into his life on the road as the powerhouse drummer for The Allman Betts Band, exploring how he locks down the rhythm section for one of the premier roots and Southern rock outfits touring today. In this episode, you’ll discover: The incredible story behind turning an unreleased Johnny Cash poem into a brand-new song. What it's like recording at the legendary Cash Cabin with John Carter Cash. Alex's experiences stepping behind the kit to tour with The Allman Betts Band. The raw creative process and roots-rock influences behind his new solo album, Love And Loss. Stream Alex Orbison's latest music on all major platforms today!

Orville Peck has a new album out called Mule and it's really great. The sounds are sparse and contemplative. The songwriting ventures into territory he rarely explores. It has a collaboration with Emmylou Harris, Noah Cyrus, and Allison Russell. Let's take a look at this record!

I really love this album. The songwriting is amazing. The production is out of control. It's just an amazing record. This week we take a look at Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers.

Aaron Lee Tasjan is an artist I have a great deal of respect for. His songwriting is inspired by artists like his mentor Todd Snider. It's a great blend of folk, country and rock that explores areas often looked over. His new album is out and has some fantastic songs on it. I hope you dig it everybody!

Nathan Evans Fox is an artist I've really been enjoying recently. He has a great songwriting approach, and his lyrics are exploring areas often looked over by other writers. I really appreciate his honesty and integrity, and his commitment to giving a voice to a perspective not often heard. Let's check out his new album Heirloom. I hope you dig it everybody!

Dolly was an absolute icon. Her music career spanned decades and she left us with a wealth of songs she wrote and will always be remembered for. Her legacy is bigger than just her music. People remember her for so many things from her foundation that focussed on literacy, to her embrace of marginalized people. This is an episode I did a few years ago and I wanted to share it with you all again in honor of her memory. I hope you dig it!

I have five songs lined up for you that I'm really diggin' this month. We have everything from indie to bluegrass on this episode. As always, there is so much great music out there I like to sort through it all and let you know what's good. I hope you dig it everybody!

Brandi Carlile recently performed at the Newport Folk Festival. During her performance she unleashed a wild and powerful version of the song Uninvited by Alanis Morissette. It was unhinged and so good! Let's take a look at this performance, I hope you dig it!

Kacey Musgraves has always had a sense for social activism. Recently when she learned the story of brothers who were detained by ICE and also were Mariachi musicians she reached out to them. She had them perform on stage with her in Texas and it was a truly beautiful moment. Let's take a look at this story!

Here's 5 more songs I think you'd enjoy that are out this month. Some of the best tracks I've been listening to. Lucy Liyou, Snail Mail, Kacey Musgraves, Deer Tick, and Shooter Jennings. With a bonus of Willie Nelson on two of the tracks. I hope you dig it!