Apparently, this album began as a “just for fun” project among longtime friends and grew into something deeper: an ode to slowing down, paying attention, and creating together. The result is a warm, welcoming collection for fans of folk-rock authenticity. Think front-porch honesty with the crackle of a lived-in LP.

Langhorne Slim’s music has always been marked by diverse influences and unexpected turns. This time, he’s plugged in more than before: "I love acoustic music. I love folk music. But those aren't my only loves. Rock & roll has always tickled the same place in my soul as great singer-songwriter music, and I wanted to explore those influences. Raw songs that make you feel something: that's the stuff I'm after." His ninth album is scheduled for release on January 16th. He plays the Grey Eagle in Asheville on February 7th.

The music of North Carolinian Abigail Dowd has been described as “songs rooted in folk, blues, and the mystic heart of the South.” She builds songs from the cultural ruins we walk past every day: Scots graveyards, Native trails, Eastern mantras, family myths, war stories, saints and mothers, and the long silence in between.

Not everyone might think cowboy songs for the 21st Century are just what we need, but when written and delivered with the quality that Dallas Burrow brings, you, too, might become a convert. The Texas singer-songwriter’s influences, such as Townes Van Zandt and John Prine, can likely be heard here. The legendary Lloyd Maines produced this, and the guest vocalists joining Dallas are Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kelly Willis, and Jim Lauderdale, so of course, we like this!

Produced by Wall and Pat Lyons, this new collection of drinking songs and blue-collar stories is inspired by the 1970s era of country music. The 10-song collection is an exploration of the ways humans are connecting to people, to the natural world, to time, or to God.

Roark, who calls the long-time Red Dirt haven of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, home, wears his roots on his sleeve throughout this debut album. Roark was raised listening to country music and Southern rock. He was also a fan of Cross Canadian Ragweed’s Red Dirt sound — a genre which would eventually shape his music.

Alexa is back living in the Asheville area, and has a new album out, following 2019’s Medicine For Living and 2021’s Headwaters.

Happy Thanksgiving from your WNCW family!

This Colorado band has made a name for itself with its fresh blend of funk, soul, rock, jazz, and hip-hop. Perhaps you’ve caught a live set of theirs in our area the past few years, including a live set from Sierra Nevada Brewing’s amphitheatre last year that added a fun finale to our latest Crowd Around the Mic compilation.

Luke Bell’s time in the music world lasted just a few years, but he became a leader and inspiration in the country-western genre. He grew up on a Wyoming cattle ranch before heading off to Austin and then Nashville to pursue his true passion. “He was a wild man from the West, and he made country music through that lens,” said Stephen Daly, who played guitar in Bell’s band. “If you told him what to do, he would do the opposite. If you tried to rein him in, he’d push away. He always did what he wanted to do.”