Can we talk about this cold? This mind numbing, bone chilling, cold? When I mentioned the polar vortex last month, I was hoping it might just be a one-off, you know, a sort of here and gone kind of thing. Nope. The vortex has been hanging out. And I’m done with it. Around here, it’s just been too cold to get out and play. Thankfully, though, I have had this month’s Trail Mix to thaw me out. You are going to dig it, because this mix is really, really toasty.
This month, Trail Mix opens with a brand new track from Odessa. Formerly a much in demand fiddler in the bluegrass world, Odessa’s career has changed directions – recently, she has spent time working with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes and both Rayland Baxter and Nikki Lane. Her new tune, “I Will Be There,” which I am excited to have running this month, is featured on a brand new Subaru commercial airing all over the country. New album plans are in the works; if this track is any indication, the record is going to be smoking.
Our February mix also includes some serious swagger from the Deep South. Check out brand new tracks from Drive-By Truckers and vintage soul upstarts St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Both of those bands are featured in print this month. Also in the mix is Georgia native Levi Lowrey. Stay tuned to the Trail Mix blog for a profile of Levi next week.
So far, we are just scratching the surface of this month’s mix. Check out brand new tunes from Lake Street Dive – recently listed by Rolling Stone as one of ten artists you need to know in 2014 – and long time Cajun crooner Dirk Powell. Lydia Loveless returns to the mix, and I am happy to feature tunes from Hurray For The Riff Raff, Naomi Wachira, Charlie Parr, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, Scott Biram, Robert Ellis, and Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coaliton.
Every once in a while, a disc crosses my desk and I have a hard time letting go of it. That has been the case with the new release from The Far West. This one has been spinning a lot over the last couple weeks. Take a listen to “On The Road” and tell me singer Lee Briante is not spot on for John Prine.
And, yes, there is still more – tracks from The Farewell Drifters, Nate Jones, Chase Gassaway, Nicole Atkins, Peggy Sue, Adrian Krygowski, and The Deer Run Drifters eagerly await your ears. Tune in, stream lots, and download. Take these tunes with you wherever you go and make sure to share your favorites with your friends. And, lastly, as always, comes our favorite Trail Mix reminder – get out there and buy a record or two from these great artists. They will appreciate it.
- Odessa – I Will Be There
- Adrian Krygowski – Roam
- Cahalen Morrison and Eli West – James is Out
- Charlie Parr – Clearlake
- Chase Gassaway – Feeling Good
- Dirk Powell – Rollin’ Round This Town
- Drive-By Truckers – Pauline Hawkins
- Hurray For The Riff Raff – I Know It’s Wrong
- Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition – White Angel
- Lake Street Dive – Bad Self Portraits
- Levi Lowrey – Picket Fences
- Lydia Loveless – To Love Somebody
- Naomi Wachira – Burn Me
- Nate Jones – Another Night, Another Town
- Nicole Atkins – Girl You Look Amazing
- Peggy Sue – Idle
- Robert Ellis – Only Lies
- Scott Biram – When I Die.mp3
- St. Paul & The Broken Bones – Call Me
- The Deer Run Drifters – Burn
- The Far West – On The Road
- Farewell Drifters – Modern Age
