The Best Artists of the Newport Folk Festival 2024
The esteemed Newport Folk Festival has consistently challenged the notion of folk music. The 2024 edition continued to defy traditions.
bluegrass
AJ Lee & Blue Summit Take Bluegrass to the ‘City of Glass’
AJ Lee & Blue Summit’s City of Glass consistently showcases the distinctive gifts of each performer and the magic that happens when they all play together.
Rising Appalachia Offer a Tantalizing Collection of Covers
Rising Appalachia’s harmonies on “I Need a Forest Fire” are downright mesmerizing, as they deliver a zeitgeisty performance for one of 2024’s top tracks.
Laurie Lewis Knows We Are Just a Blink Compared to ‘Trees’
Folk singer-songwriter Laurie Lewis reminds us to be kind to each other and appreciate the good things in life, like trees and the natural world—and John Prine.
Jack McKeon Teaches Us to Be Kind on ‘Talking to Strangers’
Singer-songwriter Jack McKeon volunteers his newly gained knowledge and instructs listeners to talk to strangers as a way of being kind on his debut album.
Swamp Dogg Goes Bluegrass and Americana on ‘Blackgrass’
On Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St, Swamp Dogg interprets soul, funk, and jazz themes through the lens of bluegrass and Americana forms.
Phish Loaded Up on Guest Stars for ‘Hoist’ 30 Years Ago
Phish’s Hoist was their fifth LP and they were in the mood to try new things. Consequently, it felt like their version of a big commercial swing.
Kelsey Waldon Finds Inspiration In What Came Before Her
As Kelsey Waldon sings on Ola Belle Reed’s triumphant “I’ve Endured”, the Kentucky country artist knows these songs have lasted for a reason.
The Dead South Return with a Dark Bluegrass-Adjacent LP
The Dead South’s Chains & Stakes picks up where their last LP, 2019’s Sugar & Joy, left off. These 13 tracks lean toward hard-edged bluegrass and dark stories.
Feeling “Seventeen”, Ruth Moody Goes Solo Again with ‘Wanderer’
While the Wailin’ Jennys are still playing their hearts out as three roots wonder women, co-founder Ruth Moody has new music and a special announcement to make.
Billy Strings Fries at the Frost at Stanford
Billy Strings’ career has soared due to his transcendent talent on the guitar. But he’s also got a down-to-earth demeanor as a sincere music fanatic.
Jim Lauderdale and the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Create Bluegrass Alchemy
Even if bluegrass isn’t your thing, don’t let this new Jim Lauderdale LP slip by without a listen. He’s a true master of the songwriting craft at work.