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The soulful Louisiana singer is back with this one via his own Artist Tone Label. Guitarist Eric Krasno contributes production work as well as a variety of instrumental parts. "Working with producers Jeremy Most and Eric Krasno, it was incredibly exciting to write in a style that felt like I'd discovered another aspect of what I could do. Music is at its best when you discover a different way of approaching new sounds. It was like we were coming out of the Covid years and had a wide-open approach to where we were and where we were going." Marc and band play Knoxville’s Tennessee Theatre on Saturday Feb. 22, the Orange Peel in Asheville on the 23rd, and Charlotte’s Neighborhood Theatre on Tuesday the 25th.

We’ve enjoyed having Miss Tess visit us for numerous live sessions in Studio B over the years. She cohesively weaves a number of genres we love together into one authentic Americana sound: blues, R&B, early rock, and in this album’s case thanks largely to Joel Savoy, Cajun. Looks like she’s got shows in Knoxville and Charlotte in March! This new album will be released on Feb. 7th. Check out why No Depression refers to Miss Tess as “Old-time warmth, 21st-century sass.”

Get to know – and support! – this collection of artists and songs curated by Rising Appalachia. You can hear the band’s influences of Appalachian, African, Soul, and activist-oriented songwriters here. It’s the 3rd one (that we know of) released to raise funds and awareness for Hurricane Helene relief efforts here in Western NC. As sisters Leah & Chloe write, “What better way to come together than a relief album of songs for the people. We named this collection ‘Drenched In Place’ to honor the deep connection to home/place that so many Appalachian people have here in the mountains. With 100 percent of proceeds going to (Asheville) BeLoved, Nanostead, and Riverlink, our aim is to raise $20,000 to give to these incredible nonprofits who have been on the ground working to help since day one of the storm. There is a long haul still to get this region back on its feet.” The collection, with some beautiful words about its genesis, is available on Bandcamp: https://drenchedinplace.bandcamp.com/album/drenched-in-place

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.

Georgia sisters Megan and Rebecca Lovell have released their 8th album this week, following some 20 years of making music together. They began with a bluegrass base, but have since morphed to the blues and Southern rock sound you’ll hear on this new one. Their ability to evolve is rooted in the self-confidence they cultivate in each other, as evidenced in some of their lyrics on Bloomed: "Artists must always be engaged with making fresh and new music," Megan Lovell said. Rebecca Lovell added: "We're sisters, so the nature of our relationship is built on trust. Trust allows us to accept who we've been, but it has also normalized the space for us to set a precedent for how our art can evolve."

American singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter and Scotland’s Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart have admired one another’s music and songwriting for decades. Two years ago, for the first time ever, they had the opportunity to write songs together during a writing retreat in Scotland. The result is this lush, atmospheric recordings, named after exactly what they set out to do with their collaborating: “You start to put particular things forward because there’s a resonance with something else,” says Polwart. “It’s not random. The way the songs have spun around each other has been very responsive. It felt very organic. It didn’t feel forced.” The other musicians are Rob Burger (piano/organ/accordion/keys), Chris Vatalaro (drums/percussion), Cameron Ralston (bass), Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh (hardanger d’amore/fiddle) & producer Josh Kaufman (guitar/ keys).

Bonnie Sims (Mandolin, Acoustic, Vocals), Eve Panning (Fiddle, Harmony Vocals), Hazel Royer (Bass, Acoustic, Vocals), and Dr. Joy Adams (Cello, Mandolin, Banjo, Fiddle, Vocals) formed this bluegrass-based Colorado quartet in 2021, and after three busy years of touring some of the most prestigious festivals, cruises and stages (plus WNCW’s Studio B!), they have now released their debut studio album. They performed one of these new songs last February: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myW2hGIeeio

Nine years after his last album, we finally have a new one from the singer, songwriter, actor and film director! In addition to the pandemic-caused delays, he had his first kid in 2020, which he says has significantly changed his outlook on life. The more melodic, less twangy album than previous ones of his is comprised of self-penned songs and co-writes, with the exception of the Byrds’ “Time Between,” and the Carter Family’s “Keep On the Sunny Side.”

The Akron, Ohio band led by Ryan Humbert is back with their 4th album. They’re already known for their Western Swing and honky-tonk flavors of country music, but this might be their most expansive album yet, bringing Vince Gill, Logan Ledger, and Sam Bush in to join them. “This might sound more like us than any of our other records,” Humbert says of this version of their “Red Dirt Americana” sound. “It feels like the beginning of a new chapter.”

An Oklahoma native, 22-year-old Ken Pomeroy is already receiving widespread attention and has established herself as “a new voice reviving the age-old Native Americana sound” (Teen Vogue). Anchored in her Native Cherokee heritage, Cruel Joke is a powerful collection that showcases Pomeroy’s raw songwriting and engaging voice. She is embarking on a tour with I'm With Her and Iron & Wine, making her Newport Folk Festival debut this July, and was recently seen performing in the blockbuster film Twisters and its soundtrack, and had music featured in FX/Hulu show Reservation Dogs.