Archive

photo: Jaysen Michael

written by: Kaydee Mulvehill

How’s your year looking? Any new releases or shows coming up? 

Well, this year I’ve been performing a lot. I had the chance to perform at Birmingham’s first Freedom Fest alongside some legends like

Midnight Star, Musiq Soulchild, and Ruben Studdard. That was very exciting. I released one single called ‘L.’ It is available on all streaming platforms. I’m still creating in my quiet time, so newness will come one day. I’ll be performing upstairs at Avondale Brewing Co. for the Listen Local Concert Series with one my favs, Richard Daniel on October 22.

What got you started in music? Who inspired you to perform? 

Music is really in my DNA. My mother was a singer/songwriter, and my father is a musician. I would always sing. Song is my second language. I was always too nervous to ever think I could do music professionally, but with the help and support, or maybe a better word would be ‘force,’ from my friends I started to become more comfortable with… [read more…]

Sarah, you’ve been in the studio recording and just released your first single “Two-Hearted Rounder,” which is fantastic! Could you tell me a little about the album and when you plan on releasing it?

Somehow I managed to persuade some of the baddest and most talented musicians in Birmingham to play my songs. With Will Stewart on guitar, Keelan Parrish on bass, Ford Boswell on pedal steel and Brian Gosdin on drums, the songs I wrote while sitting on my purple couch have turned into something. I’ve never played in a plugged-in band before now, always playing acoustic and bluegrass music growing up. I have to give a nod to Lester Nuby III, while I’m at it, for producing. The record drops on November 8 on Cornelius Chapel Records. The first single is currently available on streaming services. We’re cooking up some dates in Birmingham and making arrangements for some shows around the southeast.

What do you hope people take from listening to these songs?

Once a song is written and recorded, it goes out into the world, and you lose control of how people judge or interpret… [read more…]

photo: Meg McGlamery

written by: Kaydee Mulvehill

Janet, I know you are part of a duo (Timber), and you play your own stuff. Tell me a little bit about each project? 

Timber is a collaboration between Will Stewart and me that started several years back (2015, I think?). I think we both see Timber as a place for our more vibe-driven, esoteric songs, but also it was an opportunity for the two of us to work together very intentionally. I really love collaborations like this, and Will is an effortless, natural musician, so easy to work with. 

My “solo” project is my first time working under my own name in about 21 years – since I moved to Alabama, really. I’ve historically classified my solo work under the name Delicate Cutters, which eventually became a band with a very distinct sound (Kevin Nicholson on fiddle, Chance Shirley on drums, and Brian Moon on bass was the core band). There came a point where I thought I was giving music up – that I’d said all I could say, and so I… [read more…]

photo: Asif Patel

written by: Kaydee Mulvehill

Rebecca, you released a full length album in August of 2018, which is fantastic by the way! Can you tell me a little about what inspired that album?

The album was inspired by the loss of my mom back in 2013 – that’s when I first started writing songs. This album was a space to process feelings, answer questions, and unpack worries. A lot of the songs on Only the Good were an opportunity to have a conversation without actually having to speak tough words – words of grief, of remembrance, of sorrow. From the loss of Mom to processing the beginnings or ends of relationships, these songs (and all my songs) are a direct reflection of my feelings.

Any plans on releasing any new material soon?

I’ve got a few cool projects in the works, and plan to release new music next year! I’m pumped to be collaborating with some new pals & fleshing out instrumentation to have a fuller sound, which I’m pretty excited… [read more…]

photo: courtesy of the artist

written by: Kaydee Mulvehill

You have a record coming out in October, which will be your fourth album. Tell me a little about that.

I actually had to postpone the release until Spring 2020, since I decided to re-record it. I was really unhappy with the initial sounds, production, etc. on our first attempt, so I’m working with Brad Lyons at Boutwell to make more of a rock album.
This will be my first album that I’ve played all of the bass on, and the first one that won’t have any fiddle (since I’m playing bass for myself now).

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to get into music?

There is no “one size fits all” approach to any of this. Work hard, shake hands, and advocate for yourself fiercely.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

I practice yoga pretty religiously when we’re on the road. I always travel with my mat. Also, wine.