A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER (August 15, 2024)

A ROUTES & BRANCHES GUiDE to FEEDiNG YOUR MONSTER

good news about good noise

August 15, 2024

Scott Foley, purveyor of dust

Back onto the grid following a couple days afield. On Thursdays, we share stories we've gathered from other worthy purveyors of roots music, original writing that merits a look. 

Sierra Ferrell is huge in our kind of music, and has an opportunity to win over a general audience when given the right stage. Until then, Ferrell and her nattily-dressed band are featured at NPR's Tiny Desk series. They clean the place up real nice.

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David Berman passed away five years ago. In honor of his work, his widow Cassie gathered members of Silver Jews for an unannounced tribute. Will Oldham, Bonnie Prince Billy himself, stepped up to deliver vocals on a couple cuts. Brooklyn Vegan has the story, as well as some video.

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We recently shared an appreciation of 49 Winchester's excellent new Leavin' This Holler album. Magnet hosts the Virginia band, as they give a little track-by-track insight into the collection.   

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We're looking forward to hearing the entirety of  Shelby Lynne's new record this week. The country-soul master talks to No Depression about the emotions surrounding her return to Nashville. We'll share more about Consequences Of the Crown on Monday or Tuesday of next week.  New York Times also has a terrific recent expose. 

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Have we included enough content in appreciation of X yet? I don't think so either. John and Exene take their turn at the iconic Amoeba Records What's In My Bag segment. Their selections are remarkably diverse, and John Doe shows himself to be especially up to date with his choices.

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Our appreciation of Bruce Springsteen can be hit-or-miss here at R&B HQ, though I'd identify him as an under-celebrated influence on many artists in our kind of music. A new PBS presentation features a slate of artists paying tribute to Springsteen's Nebraska. Live contributors include Lucinda Williams, Emmylous Harris, Noah Kahan, and more. Read about the broadcast at Stereogum. 

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Lastly, we'll pull back the digital curtain to highlight just a couple things we've added this week to A Routes & Branches Guide To Feeding Your Monster, our restlessly updated new release calendar. Australia's Angie McMahon will be celebrating her current tour with the release of a new EP. Boasting songs from the Light Dark Light Again sessions, Light Sides could be in your hands by September 13 (AWAL). Cody Jinks has plans to share a remastered edition of his 2012 30 record. Titled Backside Of 30, the release will also feature a new track (Late August, September 27). We're not saying that you have to watch the forthcoming Bad Monkey movie, based on a novel by Carl Hiaasen. But the soundtrack features artists like Nathaniel Rateliff, Jason Isbell, and Marcus King covering Tom Petty songs (Water Tower, October 4). Peter Bruntnell is far more popular across the Atlantic than he is stateside. He'll try to change that with the October 4 release of Houdini and the Sucker Punch (Domestico). And seemingly hours after the release of his last studio album, Willie Nelson sets the date for number 153. Under the guidance of son Micah, Last Leaf On the Tree will feature Willie's take on songs originally presented by Warren Zevon, Flaming Lips, Beck, and more (Sony, November 1). 

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