We’ve been fans of The Suitcase Junket for some time now and excited to share along Matt Lorenz’s new tune “Everything I Like”. The one-man-band has a fuller sound with this one – produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, but keeps the home brewed personal bang on your eardrums. Upbeat and a fun summer tune that will sound great coming out of your speakers – whether you’re up at the cabin or tooling around town.
Lorenz’s lo-fi, self manufactured band set up is a real treat to watch in action. The official video for “Everything I Like” shows just some of the set up for a set by The Suitcase Junket. It’s like watching someone bring a rare, barn-found folk art treasure on to Antiques Roadshow and watching the appraiser just start to wail out special music on the rig. Spin through some of Lorenz’s other videos to catch more of the virtuoso making his hand crafted items cradle you into his mastery.
Enjoy the video and catch the full album Mean Dog, Trampoline on Signature Sounds! Plus – I’ve gotta recognize that I want to live that van life sometime for a while!
Ha! Hit the Cabin Countdown on it’s regular Monday night for the first time in a while. Hope you enjoy our regularly scheduled broadcast! Remember, if you’ve locked into the Americana Cabin Countdown in the past – you’ll get the Top 10 Americana Music tunes I’d make sure I had lined up for you when you got out of cell range and dipped out of radio range. Plus…as usual…we’ll throw in some artists with new songs trying to convince me to let them into the cabin on a rainy night on the Flatlands!
Who’s Number 1? Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real are Number 1 again this week with “Bad Case”!
The Lumineers “Gloria”
Yola “Love All Night (Work All Day)”
Gary Clark Jr. “When I’m Gone”
**NEW** J.S. Ondara “Saying Goodbye”
Dylan LeBlanc “Renegade”
Josh Ritter “Losing Battles”
**NEW** Avett Brothers “High Steppin'”
Caroline Spence “Who’s Going to Make My Mistakes”
And here are a few making a move up the hill towards the Cabin…
Yesterday, we broke down the lowkey surprise that was the energy and emotion of The War and Treaty at the Nelsonville Music Fest last Saturday. We have loved The War and Treaty since they hit the scene, but their set surpassed all high expectations we had for them and their music.
Today, let’s settle in with the rest of the day – one that was highly anticipated due to the appearance of Mandolin Orange. The duo from North Carolina did not disappoint. Nelsonville Music Fest provided a special venue for them that was a definite highlight of the day. The Gladden House is a cabin located on the fringes of the Hocking College campus and the site of yearly Sessions with the artists performing at NMF. Stripped down and raw – standing on the old planks of the porch that have stood up to time and weather for a very long time.
3:15 was listed as “Special Guest” on the schedule for the Gladden House. As we wandered back we couldn’t be more happy when Mandolin Orange was the previously mentioned “Special”. Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz are perfect for a setting like this – close and intimate. A century old space and music that can take you back and take you away. The moss on the roof was older than the two of us – and we know for certain I’d sit and listen for a week if the wall of that cabin could talk.
It was dizzying to take in Mandolin Orange in a Gladden House moment. We agreed that if there was ever a “home field advantage” for a band that would overwhelm all comers – it was MO at the Gladden House. Thanks to them for taking on the “Special Guest” moniker and really underscoring the “Special” part of it.
The group’s Main Stage performance was also a treat, as they wrapped the large venue in their arms and brought the crowd in and turned their tunes to welcoming ears. A highlight of that Main Stage set was a family reunion behind Marlin and Frantz. Clint Mullican plays bass for Mandolin Orange and it just so happened that his brother, Chuck Mullican, blows saxophone for The War and Treaty. Marlin and Frantz welcomed Chuck back up on stage to play with his brother and the band – and filled us in that they had messed around with some arrangements on the tour bus for a few songs and thought it would go very well. It did indeed – and the family reunion was just another example of Music Festival magic. Things just seem to come together organically at a Festival – especially one as home rooted as Nelsonville Music Fest.
Americana From the Flatlands also dove deep into The Brother Brothers set on the Main Stage. Identical twin brothers Adam and David Moss weave their incredibly smooth harmonies into a bohemian blanket full of color and character. The Mosses are storytellers and their set on the Main and in the idyllic No-Fi Cabin were able to put a knowing smile on even the most cynical face that day. Plus, The Brother Brothers were also seen all over the the Festival grounds taking in the other acts and interacting with fans. These guys are good performers and even better people.
The Brother Brothers on the Main Stage
We also discovered some new acts we hadn’t stumbled on to quite yet. We really enjoyed the electric/acoustic melange of MorganEve Swain’s band The Huntress and the Holder of Hands out of Rhode Island. The talent of Swain and her bandmates was clear and the arrangements that blended a multitude of stringed instruments, both electrified and not, were to be admired. We’re looking forward to looking into more of their catalog.
Nelsonville also presented a fun set from Steve Poltz, who graced the free-to-all Box Car Stage and showcased his free wheeling Arlo Guthrie-esque stylings. He’s a hoot whenever you get a chance to catch him.
Steve Poltz Rumbles in the Jungle
We also were able to enjoy tunes from CampDogzz and Sun June throughout the day.
If you haven’t experienced the Nelsonville Music Fest – we’d absolutely sit you down and share stories from our time there. The rolling hills roll you into their rhythm. The spirit of the residents of Nelsonville is open and welcomes you to become one of their own for your time in their sphere. You can sense the musicians enjoy coming to Nelsonville and taking a break from the grind. It’s a place they can wander among their fans and revel in the camaraderie with the other bands and their fans. It’s a special place this Nelsonville – make plans to stop in for 2020!
The Nelsonville Music Fest celebrated their 15th Birthday last weekend in Southeast Ohio. We decided to take Americana From the Flatlands on the road to a much hillier part of the Buckeye State – and we weren’t disappointed.
The headliner for Saturday was Death Cab for Cutie, but we were there for three acts and to discover some other new music. The highlights for us focused on Mandolin Orange, The War and Treaty and The Brother Brothers.
Behind the Box Car Stage at Nelsonville
The Festival is centered on the campus of Hocking College in Nelsonville. The campus is surrounded by rolling hills and kind people – who are very happy to have you at their annual shindig and welcoming in every way. The only thing larger than the hills would be the camping area – those dedicated to NMF are also dedicated to camping out on the grounds and having a great time into the night.
I’m going to break my reminiscences into two segments this week – starting with the definite highlight of the day – The War and Treaty. Michael and Tanya’s music has hit home with Americana From the Flatlands from the moment we found them, but if you would have shared with us just how blown away we would be with their live performances – we would have looked at you out of the corner of our eye.
Max Brown, Michael and Tanya Trotter
At one point of their set – maybe 3 or 4 songs in, a man behind us whooped it up then repeated 10 times “Energy!” He wasn’t wrong. It was an emotional performance from the stage and the crowd at NMF soaked it in like the rains that have doused the Midwest this year. Friends and family were definitely in attendance for The War and Treaty. Perhaps because Ohio neighbors the Trotter’s home of Michigan. Perhaps the road has been weighing on Michael and the day provided an outlet. All we know is The War and Treaty shared themselves and their talents with those lucky enough to be gathered around the Main Stage.
The band alternated hard hitting, hand clapping grooves that, at times, bordered on a spectacular frenzy – with emotion-filled, meaning laced tunes that took you directly to their back porch and invited you to sit down and leave your troubles piled with theirs. Tears were flowing on stage and in the 3 rows of music lovers in front of us. Michael’s journey to a healthy life is no secret to fans – and he used the stage to reach out to any one who needed lifting that evening. Everyone in the Main Stage area connected with the duo’s appeal to let love rule the day. It was a special scene. The majority of the band left the stage for the Trotters and Max Brown to debut a new song “Breathe” that kept the emotions crashing on the crowd below. The bare bones guitar and the stunning vocals kept every eye forward.
The group had spent the day on the road from Virginia the night before and prior to their set we were afraid weariness might set in. Our worries were wasted – The War and Treaty gave everything they had for Nelsonville and – as members of that Main Stage crowd – the Americana From the Flatlands crew felt honored to be there for their set.
Tomorrow – we’ll focus on Mandolin Orange, The Brother Brothers, life in a Cabin (not where our Top 10 lives!), and new discoveries in Americana! Stop by Thursday evening!
Find this website Wednesday night as we’ll share thoughts and pics from our trip to the Nelsonville Music Festival this past Saturday. The War and Treaty, Mandolin Orange and The Brother Brothers were the highlights of a special day in a special place. Tomorrow night – right here at americanaflatlands.com!
Can’t seem to get a clean Monday to post my Cabin Countdown – so…here’s a Tuesday edition of the Top 10! Remember, if you’ve locked into the Americana Cabin Countdown in the past – you’ll get the Top 10 Americana Music tunes I’d make sure I had lined up for you when you got out of cell range and dipped out of radio range. Plus…as usual…we’ll throw in some artists with new songs trying to convince me to let them into the cabin on a rainy night on the Flatlands!
We’ve got a new Number 1!!
Lukas Nelson/Promise of the Real “Bad Case”
Yola “Love All Night (Work All Day)”
The Lumineers “Gloria”
Gary Clark Jr. “When I’m Gone”
**NEW** Dylan LeBlanc “Renegade”
Bailen “I Was Wrong”
Rhiannon Giddens (with Francesco Turrisi) “I’m On My Way”
Calexico and Iron & Wine “Father Mountain”
**NEW** Josh Ritter “Losing Battles”
**NEW** Caroline Spence “Who’s Going To Make My Mistakes”
And here are a few making a move up the stacks…
Joy Williams “Front Porch”
Vandoliers “Miles and Miles”
Cactus Blossoms “Desperados”
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram “Outside Of This Town”
The Flatlands is always excited to get the bright flashlight out of the Cabin and shine it on a fellow Buckeye. R.J. Cowdery is from Columbus, OH and her vocals and lyrics are captivating. Folk fashionings and an introspective vibe are front and center in “What If This Is All There Is” – her latest single.
Everyone stands at that crossroads asking that question at some point in time. Everyone looks around and thinks the long climb they are on might not being going anywhere in particular. But it’s that knowledge that R.J. (and everyone else standing around them) is asking the same tough question that, hopefully, gets you through. It may be a jump to another ladder, or it may be that last push to the top that you needed. Any way you look at it, R.J. Cowdery lets you know you’re not alone.
I get a lot of Patty Griffin vibes from this R.J. single, and that is a definite good thing on the Flatlands. Give it a spin yourself and discover R.J. Cowdery. You can never have too many Ohioans in your life!
A day late and more than a dollar short, but…we’ve got some newcomers that jumped right into the Top 10 this week – and they’re good. So, with no further ado…
It’s time again this week to feature our Top 10 Cabin Countdown – if we were programming our radio station up at the Cabin…these are the tunes we’d make sure you caught! And we’ve added a few on the back end that are peeking in the Cabin windows to get in.
The Lumineers “Gloria”
Yola “Love All Night (Work All Day)
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real “Bad Case”
Infamous Stringdusters “Rise Sun”
**NEW**Gary Clark Jr. “When I’m Gone”
Bailen “I Was Wrong”
Calexico & Iron and Wine “Father Mountain”
Rhiannon Giddens (w/Francesco Turrisi) “I’m On My Way”
**NEW**Jade Jackson “Bottle It Up”
**NEW**Jamestown Revival “This Too Shall Pass”
Plus…as usual…we’ve got a number of great tunes knocking on the door of the Cabin, anxious to get in…
It’s not a deep Flashback tonight, but the warmer temps have me thinking of the beach. My stream of consciousness took me to a outstanding song from 2017 by Mike and the Moonpies – “Beaches of Biloxi”.
No matter which of the four seasons are gracing the Flatlands, I’m always doing some yearning for a deep, warm Summer night and “Beaches of Biloxi” takes me there every time.
The jangle of the guitar, the smooth lilt of the steel in the background, lyrics that take the wheel for you and vocals that deliver you to where you want to go – Mike and the Moonpies get your Summer to you. Whenever and wherever you are.
It’s not often we feature an artist from Kenya here at Americana From the Flatlands, but J.S. Ondara is no ordinary artist. His stylings on his album Tales of America ran deeply through me and provided a perspective we don’t hear often.
You may have heard part of his story – the 26 year old has lived an extremely interesting life. His discovery of Bob Dylan – through losing a bet on who wrote “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” (he thought it was Guns and Roses, a friend knew otherwise) – led him to a deep love and appreciation for American folk. And, looking back, it led him to where he is now.
I’ve got “Saying Goodbye”, Ondara’s latest tune cued up for you below. I found J.S. after he spent some time opening for First Aid Kit and loved his tone and his style. The man can sing and the man knows how to dress! Thanks to the Current in Minnesota for finding him and giving him a shot back in the day! Ondara is a talent to be savored.
Lose some innocence and say good bye to a long time love with this one from J.S. Ondara “Saying Goodbye”.
Americana From the Flatlands 