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It’s been a remarkable 2023 for Giddens. The multi-faceted artist, GRAMMY-winner, and MacArthur fellow was recently awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for her collaborative opera, Omar. This new album, her first of all original material, was produced by Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Alicia Keys, Valerie June, Tank and the Bangas). The collaborators include Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi plus American fiddler Dirk Powell, bassist Jason Sypher, and Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu.

“I knew that I needed this record to be full of joy because if we’re standing at some kind of finish line of human civilization—and I’m not saying that we are, but some days it sure feels that way—then I want to go out dancing,” laughs songwriter and Durham, NC resident M.C. Taylor. “That’s what I wanted Jump for Joy to feel like: Dancing at the end times.” Produced by Taylor and engineered by longtime Hiss compatriot Scott Hirsch over two weeks in the late fall of 2022 at the fabled Sonic Ranch studio in Tornillo, TX, just a short walk from the Mexican border, Jump for Joy dances with joyful, spontaneous energy that feels like a fresh chapter in the Hiss Golden Messenger oeuvre. Taylor is accompanied throughout the album by his crack live band: guitarist Chris Boerner, bassist Alex Bingham, keyboardist Sam Fribush, and drummer Nick Falk, a collection of musicians that have helped make Hiss Golden Messenger’s live performances legendary affairs.

She was one of our favorite new artist discoveries last year with her debut Pohorylle (“That River, “Tehachapi”…). This one picks up where that one left off, with references to a place she can’t return to: California’s Santa Clara Valley before its lush orchards were replaced with Silicon. Both albums were produced by Sera Cahoone.

One of our most highly anticipated album releases is here! Molly captures that great California bluegrass & newgrass sound with her great band here, with songs like “El Dorado” (about the Gold Rush), “Yosemite”, and “Down Home Dispensary”. There’s an East Coast connection too, though, as this was recorded in Nashville and co-produced by Jerry Douglas, and all of the songs were co-written with Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show.

One of our most highly anticipated album releases is here! Molly captures that great California bluegrass & newgrass sound with her great band here, with songs like “El Dorado” (about the Gold Rush), “Yosemite”, and “Down Home Dispensary”. There’s an East Coast connection too, though, as this was recorded in Nashville and co-produced by Jerry Douglas, and all of the songs were co-written with Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show.

In his 36 albums over the years, Jim has collaborated with a LOT of other great musicians. He’s back to his love for bluegrass on this one, with the band he met at MerleFest a few years ago. “Po’ Ramblin’ Boys just really speak to and resonate with me,” says Lauderdale.

Get to know this North Carolina band’s 6th album, perhaps before seeing them live! They play the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro on the 21st, the Orange Peel in Asheville on the 22nd, and the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte on the 23rd. We’ll host them live in Studio B on that Friday the 22nd. “Book of Fools feels more relaxed, more confident, more us — like we’re wearing our favorite clothes and telling our favorite story and it feels exciting again,” says guitar player Joseph Terrell in a press release announcing the album.

It’s the 29th album from the two-time Grammy winner, Blues Hall of Famer, and 16-time Blues Music Awards winner famously known as the “King of the Chitlin’ Circuit” thanks to his start back in the ‘50s. These ten tracks continue his great blend of funk, Southern soul, and signature blues. Dexter Allen joins him on guitar and bass, and Joey Robinson on keyboards and drums.

One of our favorite bands calls Brevard and Asheville home, and they can now add Saluda to that list. Welcome to the first Rangers album with singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Burdett added to the lineup. Recorded in Bat Cave this year with Darrell Scott joining with production and additional guitar work, this one includes songs about Alabama, Glasgow, the changing West Asheville neighborhood, and Aaron’s giant plunge into the band’s scene. The rest of the band has Graham Sharp on banjo and vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin/mandola and vocals, Nicky Sanders on fiddle and vocals, Mike Ashworth on drums and vocals, and Barrett Smith on bass, guitar, and vocals. They gave a great live session in Studio B last Thursday (catch the video on WNCW’s Facebook page!)

Following the Strays release earlier this year, Price has earned nominations for Artist of The Year, Album of The Year, and Song of The Year (“Change of Heart”) at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards, tying for the most nominations of any single artist in 2023. Price is joined by Strays producer Jonathan Wilson, as well as new collaborators including Buck Meek of Big Thief, plus singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ny Oh. Together they dive deeper into the sacrifices it takes to find freedom, the grit it takes to make it, and the consequences that come with all of it.