Tag: Americana Music

Weekend Americana Mixtape – February 16, 2019

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Another frigid weekend on the Flatlands – it’s mid-February, though, so we’re getting there. We’ll be watching the buds pop and grass green soon – so in the meantime, we’ll warm up with some spectacular Americana tunes!

Batting lead off today for us is a band I’ve loved for a long time…Son Volt. Jay Farrar is back with Devil May Care off of their album “Union” set to hit March 29th. The Volts’ classic song rings in your ear immediately and Jay’s vocals spin you back in time as it strains to push you in the right direction in tough times. The calendar says Winter, but this one says Summer backroads wandering.

Speaking of going on a wander – take along Strand of Oaks Weird Ways the next time you wander through oaks or maples or aspen – which ever strands you wind through. Weird Ways is a thoughtful, full slide through Timothy Showalter’s return that he thought he’d never make. I’d like to personally thank the guys from My Morning Jacket for getting Timothy back into that studio and coaxing out the “Eraserland” album.

Fragile, yet so full of feeling – that’s Caroline Spence to me. Sit Here and Love Me is her plaintive and heartfelt reach for love and tenderness. It’s one of those songs I don’t want to move during for fear of disturbing the serenity of the listening. Settle in and let it warm your soul.

“We’re all headed somewhere…” Under The Oak reminds us of the journey and helps us on the way with their Beyond the Physical. The harmonies echo and burrow their way through you and nestle in right where you need them. I enjoy the mix of strings – and it helps elevate the harmonies even higher. The video walks along the shore and into the meadows, and the song took me there even without the video cues.

Colin Meloy’s lilts take us Traveling On with The Decemberists latest. It’s vocal people watching for me in this one. A well travelled ensemble now, these folks have seen a lot over the years and they share a view out the window with us. “It won’t be long…til we’re traveling on…” Thanks for the postcard you guys.

That’s the mixtape for this weekend. They’re saying a little more snow for us on the Flatlands Sunday…I’ll pull another blanket out and toss another log on the fire for you – in the meantime – enjoy the Mixtape!

Weekend Americana Mixtape – February 9, 2019

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Took me awhile to get the plastic wrapper off of this edition of the weekend, but it’s off and ready to slam into the CD player! Got some things to do this weekend? Need some music to escort you through? Well…here are some recommendations!

Deer Tick recently released their “alternate world” and compilation album Mayonnaise and “Strange Awful Feeling” jumps off the vinyl. Stripped down but full of sound at the same time, the mix takes you right into the recording studio and wraps its arms around you.

I’ve always clicked with John Paul White’s music (plus my man’s a Detroit Tigers fan like yours truly) – his latest is no different. “The Long Way Home” is the first from his upcoming album The Hurting Kind. His smooth vocals blend seamlessly with the steel, piano and guitar. Grab onto it for a quick ride home.


The Avett Brothers are never going to lack for music fans giving others a heads up when new music from them hits. I’m here in the front of the bandwagon playing Paul Revere for their new single “Neapolitan Sky”. Here’s your “One if by Flatlands” light from the old church to tell you to get your ears pointed at this one.

You can’t get much more “real” than Sean McConnell. He is one of the best storytellers out there and spins another memory you forgot about with “Secondhand Smoke”. It’s nostalgic and took me back to riding around the Flatlands with my dad with the windows rolled down and his smoke lighting away into the past.

Another new release that’s going to be everywhere, but one you can get in on the ground floor on is the new tune from Tedeschi Trucks Band “They Don’t Shine”. This unit is one of the tightest, most entertaining out there. Horns, guitar, vocals and arrangements pile in on you and before you know it you’re happily sinking in the TTB Ocean. Get your suit on and prepare to get wet!

Atmospheric Lucie Silvas is back with her latest “Black Jeans”. While Lucie’s roots might not be American, her music is pure Americana and this one is a human walk through feelings we can all relate to. Travel with this one.

Pass the Mixtape along and feel free to comment or follow the blog with the menu above.

Flatlands Flashback Time Y’all!

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It’s our weekly version of Throwback Thursday – and we do it Americana style. Going way back with the first video Flashback. Tuscon’s The Refreshments bring us “Banditos” from one of Joel’s favorite albums “Fizzy Fuzzy Big and Buzzy”. 1996 was a good year for The Refreshments and this shows the fun that Arizona sound gave off.

The second Flatlands Flashback is a storytelling masterpiece from 2008 with The Decemberists. This video version of “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” is a classic. The song is fantastic and Colin and crew are having a ton of fun, as they are known to do… Jump back to 2008 with me and revel in the salt of the sea!

Weekend Americana Mixtape

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What’s on my ear radar this first weekend of February? A stack of Americana Awesome – that’s what!

Josh Ritter tears the wrapping off this weekend’s Mixtape. Brand new stuff from him this week – “Old Black Magic” is the name. Josh’s new album Fever Breaks will break out in April and was produced by Flatland Favorite Jason Isbell. “Old Black Magic” features chugging guitars and Josh’s smooth vocals. The 400 Unit Force is strong in this one.

The three talented ladies of I’m With Her have released “Call My Name” and it is ethereal. The harmonies connect and take you on a smooth walk through your day…

You won’t find music much fresher than The Lonely Heartstring Band’s latest. The album Smoke and Ashes just dropped and I’m really enjoying the direction they’ve taken. “Reverie” mashes musical metaphors and brings a new feel, while keeping you comfortable. The atmosphere of the strings feels almost North African at times and the keys at the beginning haunt…explore it yourself and let me know what you think in the comments!

As you get to know me, you’ll find I love the Vandoliers – their new album Forever is set to come out February 22nd. I can’t get enough of their single “Cigarettes In the Rain”. Equal parts raw and smooth, their real oozes from this tune. Thanks to them for bringing the Mixtape to a new level!

I’m finding my way through the catalog of Mandolin Orange and one of their latest has demanded a spot in the Mixtape. “Golden Embers” is a touching tale of loss and honored remembrance. Guitar strums and fiddle strings show me through the life of someone reaching to showcase the love they have for one who has passed. It’s a feeling we’ve all had – and will have again. “Golden Embers” will lend us an arm to lean on when we need it.

Have to leave the Mixtape on a fun note – jump in the time machine with me, I’ve set it for 1978 and we’re going to have a good time with Grand Canyon. “Standing In the Shadows” hearkens back to that golden time with a feel that would fit right in on your Firebird’s Pioneer stereo. It’s easier and easier for me to get nostalgic and while I couldn’t drive in ’78, if I could have, I would have cranked this one up. The organ solidifies it’s sound for me. Great visuals in the video, too!

Hope you love the Mixtape this weekend – we’ll do it every weekend right here at americanaflatlands.com. Don’t miss it! Leave any comments you have and we can share notes!

Thursday Means Flatlands Flashback!

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Every Thursday we’ll dig back in the library to mine for some Americana music gems. Hopefully, they get you reminiscing on where you were and who you were when these tunes hit your radar…music has a tendency to do just that…

First up, let’s get The Avett Brothers up…live at Red Rocks. Have to think that would be amazing in every way and the video carries that home. Amazing band, amazing song, amazing venue. Sign me up.

Second offering? Well, since this is the first edition of Flatlands Flashback – I’m going indulge one of the first Americana tunes I loved – Lone Justice “Ways To Be Wicked”. This song was different and grabbed me the moment it hit MTV. I loved MTV and I loved this tune. Lone Justice seemed to burn bright and burn fast (especially the original incarnation of the band), but “Ways To Be Wicked” and Maria McKee stuck with me. Enjoy our Flatlands Flashback to 1985!