February 14th sees the latest release from this NC group, featuring Sarah and Austin McCombie, with Casey Toll on bass, and Saman Khoujinian on synth and keys (Saman also co-produced it with Austin.) Honesty and openness are at the core of their songwriting: As Sarah says, “I’m ready for our fans to get to know the people we are now. We’ve grown up together and getting to reveal this album feels like our collective coming of age.” The album’s title is “the plea to each other and their intermingled friends, family, and fanbase.” They play in Boone on Feb. 13th and Asheville on Feb. 14th, following a live session here in Studio B on Thursday January 30th!

Young Atlanta soul singer Brooks Mason is Eddie 9V, a powerhouse performer who packs more energy than what mere 9-volt batteries can muster. He and his band play The Grey Eagle in Asheville on the 24th with Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, and The Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte on the 26th.

Early James “embraces jagged, moaning blues” (Rolling Stone) on the new album Medium Raw, out now via Easy Eye Sound / Concord. Instead of a typical studio setup, producer Dan Auerbach felt the album needed to be recorded in an old house, like many of his favorite Arhoolie records. The house, known as “Honky Chateau,” is an old Nashville property owned by photographer and artist Buddy Jackson. Over 100 years old, the house has plaster on the walls, plastered ceilings, old wallpaper, big oak floors, and a painting of Harry Dean Stanton on the wall. Listen on Apple Music

This is the 6th album from jazz singer Eugenie Jones, and is released on Monday the 20th. The album was recorded in New York and Seattle, with a lineup of 16 musicians: Pianists Brandon McCune and Darrius Willrich, saxophonists Rico Jones and Alex Dugdale, and violinist Yoojin Park are just a few of the artists who contributed. Original tunes are intermixed with ones by Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, and Marvin Gaye among others. Jones also does other work in the music world: She’s a promoter and marketer, was the founder and Executive Producer at Music For A Cause, and is a volunteer board member for public radio station KNKX in Washington!

San Francisco’s Chuck Prophet explores the world of Cumbia music here, with sambas, bossa novas, and boleros blending twangy guitars, accordions, and a generally top-notch production style he’s become known for over the years. Also strong as ever are his insightful lyrics that reveal more than just what might appear on the surface. The title track “Wake The Dead” is an anthem that reckons with forces beyond our control while learning to let go, a recurring theme at the core of the album. “Yea, 2025 has just begun, but it’s already on track to be one of my Top 10 favorites of the year!” says Music Director Martin Anderson.

One of our favorite music representatives of coastal South Carolina kicks off our New Tunes at 2 series this week. He’s known for his work with Sol Driven Train, Sally & George, Lover's Leap, and most recently Maya DeVitry, so we’re especially excited about Joel’s debut solo album! 'Psychedelic Surf Country,' arrives February 7 (CD, vinyl, and digitally). DeVitry, Cary Ann Hearst of Shovels & Rope, and Joel’s wife Shelby “Sally” Means (bassist with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway) are among the others joining him.

Next month sees the release of this new one from Cristina Vane, who deftly blends blues and rock with old-time and country. One minute she’s at home here in Appalachia pickin’ a sweet clawhammer banjo tune, the next she’s unleashing fire on electric slide guitar. Her eclecticism might have something to do with her upbringing: her half-Guatemalan/half-American heritage includes being raised in Italy, England, and France.