Since 2015, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers have been one of the preeminent bands in the underground country punk space, putting out albums that consistently feature River Shook’s incisive songwriting matched with infectious melodies.
It really is hard to come back to reality after spending three days in picturesque Whitefish, Montana, taking in the music of some of our generation’s very top talents courtesy of the Under The Big Sky Festival.
Imagine taking to the internet to complain how bad country music is today when we have such an embarrassment of riches from the independent side of country music sitting right under our noses.
‘Revelations’ by Sarah Shook and the Disarmers will wrap you in the warm embrace of electric and angry underground country, while also serving it up through curiously infectious melodic prowess.
Welcome to 2024, which we hope will be a prosperous year in country music. As we saw in 2023, the amount of releases coming out early in the year is a little light, but that doesn’t mean it won’t include some heavy hitters.
30 years ago, the independent record label Bloodshot Records was founded in Chicago by Rob Miller and Nan Warshaw, and quickly became one of the focal points and instigators of the independent country music revolution we’re currently enjoying the fruits of today.
Guitarist Eric Peterson has been Sarah Shook’s right hand man for nearly a dozen years, first playing a gig with her on Halloween in 2010, and since then, following her from numerous projects, and being a founding member of The Disarmers.
What if you could see many of these fast rising names all in one place, along with other great names in the country, roots, and Americana realm? That is the experience the Wild Hare Music Festival is offering in Canby, Oregon this summer on July 15th and 16th.
Officially the third record from Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, ‘Nightroamer’ is distinctly more of an indie rock or power pop-influenced album compared to Sarah’s two previous ones, but with a few strong country tracks to ground the effort in the roots as well.
“Took me about 15 years to write this song,” Brent Cobb says. “Finally finished it up a few days ago. Next time you’re trying to tell your friends about all the cool country artists you listen to just send them to this song. I got as many as I could in there. Proud to know these folks.”
Out with 2021 and on to 2022, which means getting you ready for the new albums and songs that are about to break out in country music for the new year. What better way than giving the ‘ol Top 25 Current Playlist a refresh with the best stuff to get 2022 started.
Welcome to 2022, and another (hopefully) exciting year for albums releases in the greater country and roots music world. In the spirit of trying to keep you informed, you can find a detailed list of confirmed album releases for 2022, and the always-exciting “Rumor Mill.”
Look alive boys and girls, because word just came down about what will be one of the most anticipated albums in independent country in 2022. The punk-infused and honky-tonk heavy outfit from North Carolina called Sarah Shook and the Disarmers have let it be known…
pound for pound, the 2021 Old Settler’s Fest lineup conveyed as much entertainment value as any other event you’d find out there, with smart and studious curation that resulted in a stellar lineup and experience for 2021 Old Settler’s goers.
After numerous false starts and postponements due to the pandemic, the 34th Annual Old Settler’s Festival finally got underway on Thursday, October 21st for early revelers in the campground, and on the main stages on Friday the 22nd, with Sarah Shook opening, and Jade Bird headlining.
None of this might be happening right now if it wasn’t for Bloodshot Records. And when I say “this,” I mean this website, you reading it, many of the artists featured here, a.k.a. the independent country music movement that has given rise to so many of your favorite artists.
Like so many other festivals over the last 1 1/2 years, Old Settler’s fest just outside of Lockhart, TX has been attempting to hold what will be its now 34th annual installment. Normally conducted in the spring, and postponed entirely in 2020, they have finally set a date and lineup for 2021.
On Monday, July 20th, all artists currently signed to independent music label Bloodshot Records received a letter written by the principal employees of the 25-year-old Chicago-based record label explaining in detail how the label is currently up for sale, and how they likely have been unfairly compensated by one of the owners.
Here are the greatest country and roots albums of the last decade in Saving Country Music’s estimation. Albums were regarded primarily on quality, and how they held up over the decade, as well as the influence they had on country music, and music at large. These are the albums that should not be overlooked over the last 10 years of music.
“I think that they’re completely losing it. And I think that’s a sad situation because we should never let country music die. I think that every type of music should be saved, and country is one of the greatest. It’s been around, as far as I’m concerned, longer than any of it,” says Loretta Lynn.
Two important independent festivals that are working hard to support and expand Texas, Red Dirt, Americana, and independent country music beyond its traditional borders will not be happening in 2020. Both the Tumbleweed Festival near Kansas City, and the Wild Hare Country Festival in Oregon have cancelled for 2020.
Forget that in less than two months from now, Tyler Childers will be taking off on a national arena tour with fellow Kentuckian and producer Sturgill Simpson that is already some 25% sold out, Tyler Childers is selling out arenas on his own right at the moment, at least one near his hometown, and on consecutive nights.
Those who don’t know the name soon will. Those who do know the name have probably been wondering why it’s been so long getting here. But the moment has arrived for Jason Hawk Harris to go from an obscure country songwriter and performer, to a name to look out for.
The Tumbleweed Music Festival set to take place just outside of Kansas City May 30th through June 1st has just announced their daily lineups for 2019, and the festival will have a slightly different complexion from previous years by putting all the performers on one main stage.