Beth Snapp and NewSong Music are proud to announce the video release for Snapp’s latest single “Don’t Apologize.”
“’Don’t Apologize” is the title track [of the new EP]; however, it really became the overarching theme of both this project as well as my current place in life,” says Snapp.
Beth Snapp – “Don’t Apologize” (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
“We get insecure, we listen to the voices in our head (or sometimes the voices around us) and suddenly we aren’t just ashamed of our character flaws – we become ashamed of our character. We become ashamed of trying new things, putting ourselves out there, being vulnerable…and that has to stop. SO. Don’t apologize – ever — for loving yourself, loving your neighbors, and trying to pour some of that love into this broken world.”
The video was written by Snapp and produced by Jeb Johnson. “Don’t Apologize,” is the first single released from Snapp’s new EP of the same name, which was produced and mixed by Gar Ragland of NewSong Recordings.
“Don’t Apologize” is available for purchase on Spotify, Bandcamp andd iTunes. Pre-order the full EP on iTunes, and receive the single as an instant gratification download.
Learn more about Beth and stay up to date with her performance schedule at bethsnapp.com.
Upon releasing her 2014 album, Ease My Mind (Kingswood Records), singer-songwriter Michaela Anne garnered considerable acclaim for her introspective songwriting. TheNew York Times praised the “plain-spoken songs of romantic regret and small-town longing” and the Village Voice listed it among its Top 5 Country Albums of the year. The Nashville, TN based artist just finished recording her next album in California, and we can’t wait for what comes next for this rising indie country star.
We asked Michaela Anne three questions in advance of her ‘Southern Accents’ performances Tuesday, June 26 at One New York Plaza and Wednesday June 27 at Grace Plaza. Both shows take place 12:30-1:30 pm and are free and open to the public.
1. How does Tom Petty influence your own music?
Tom petty greatly influences my music, as I’m sure he does most songwriters, with his to-the-point, feel-good songwriting. His songs are the anthems to so many of our experiences, and I strive to write simple, to-the-heart songs. He had a unique way of capturing universal feelings in the most perfect way.
2. What is your songwriting process like?
My songwriting process is kind of all over the place. I’m not a very disciplined songwriter. I go through phases of sitting down to write pretty consistently, then go through times where nothing comes out and then, out of nowhere, a song will appear. I often play and sing at the same time until an idea starts to form, trying to channel it until I have enough to go back to. I’ll then approach it in a more academic way, with editing and pushing myself to find the most fitting way to say things.
3. What’s coming up for you that you would like readers to know about?
I just finished recording a new album out in California produced by Sam Outlaw and Kelly Winrich (Delta Spirit), which I’m really excited about. Until that comes out — hopefully early next year — I’ll be touring pretty sparingly, so I’m excited to be playing shows in New York now! But new music is definitely on its way, and lots of touring is on the horizon.
Stay up-to-date with Michaela Anne’s album release and show schedule on her website, www.michaelaanne.com.
Mainstays of the Minneapolis music scene since 2008, Farewell Milwaukee embraces the role that Midwestern towns have played in shaping the band artistically, garnering them fans through their authentic lyrics, lush vocal harmonies, and an honest sincerity at live shows. They have gathered accolades from local and national press, landed a song placement on major-network TV, opened for the Lumineers (among others), and are featured on compilations alongside Mumford & Sons, Adele and Amos Lee.
We asked Farewell Milkwaukee three questions in advance of the band’s ‘Southern Accents’ performances Tuesday, June 19 at One New York Plaza and Wednesday June 20 at Grace Plaza. Both shows take place 12:30-1:30 pm and are free and open to the public.
1. How does Tom Petty influence your own music?
I bought the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers greatest hits tape when I was in middle school, and by early high school had worn it out. I logged so many hours on the lawn mower listening to those songs. I also saw him in 1999 at Summerfest in Milwaukee on the 4th of July and he closed with “American Girl.” It was magic. He wrote perfect rock and roll music and all of us in Farewell Milwaukee have similar experiences in which his music shaped important moments in our lives. Tom’s like the cool, unassuming uncle that was always there for you on the radio.
2. What is your songwriting process like?
On our most recent album, “FM” I came into the studio with a batch of songs and our producer friend Jason Orris said, “These are great songs, but you have one more in you! Try writing something that’s three chords and happier, like something Tom Petty would write!” I was up for the challenge and wrote a song called “Hurt No More” for my daughter, which became the lead track on that album. It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve written, and it’s super fun to play live.
3. What’s coming up for you that you would like readers to know about?
We’re starting to enter a writing season. We have a ton of fun outdoor shows throughout the Midwest this summer, following our visit to New York, but after that, we’re hoping to focus on writing songs for a new record.
Stay up-to-date with Farewell Milwaukee’s news and schedule on the band’s website, farewellmilwaukee.com.
Clarence Bucaro performs in Asheville, NC at Isis Music Hall Wednesday June 20.
Our NewSong Songwriting Competition finalists go on to do incredible things, and 2013 finalist Clarence Bucaro is no exception.
In May 2018, Clarence Bucaro released his powerful new studio album, Passionate Kind, on indie 2020 Records. Rolling Stone said of the album; “Buoyant, sometimes playful folk songwriting with a deep well of social consciousness,” and named him one of “10 Artists to Watch.”
Clarence is currently playing shows around the country to promote the album. The artist performs at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC on Wednesday, June 20. In advance of the show, we asked Bucaro about his new release, as well as his songwriting process.
For details on the June 20 show in Asheville, visit the Facebook event page. For ticket giveaway info, check out NewSong Music’s Facebook and Instagram accounts @NewSongMusic.
Can you tell us about your latest release, Passionate Kind? What was the inspiration behind it?
Passionate Kind is a collection of songs that engages in the current moment. It’s a plea for direction in confusing times and asking for answers of today’s social ills. It ruminates over social issues and attempts to find answers.
What is your songwriting process like?
Songwriting to me is a deeply personal thing. I take intimate ideas or images and turn them into tunes. Typically, I start with a lyric or image and spend time (days sometimes years) creating melodies. I try to connect to human feelings and imagine them thru different prisms. All the while asking myself, is it honest and is it real. My intent is to innovate on lyrics yet keep them completely relatable.
Is thereanything that you would like fans to know (upcoming news, tour dates, etc)?
Check out my website for tour dates this summer. I will be hitting up most major markets.
Maya de Vitry will perform Saturday June 16 as part of the ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ series, a benefit for Blue Ridge Public Radio.
NewSong welcomes Maya de Vitry to the ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ stage. She has spent the last six years touring the United States, Canada, and Europe with her Americana band The Stray Birds. In her solo work, her lone, dynamic voice, as well as her muses and meditations, explore a striking new landscape.
The Nashville, TN based songwriter will perform as part of the Sanctuary Sessions series Saturday, June 16th at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville. Doors at 7 pm. Acclaimed Canadian songwriter Rose Cousins headlines the show. All proceeds from the event benefit Blue Ridge Public Radio.
“It’s so cool to be coming to Asheville,” says de Vitry. “I’ve actually lived in Asheville twice before. The traditional fiddle music scene was like a magnet to me when I first came to the Swannanoa Gathering in 2008.”
de Vitry eventually left Asheville in 2011 and moved to Boston to study music. “Rather than finish unpacking in my new apartment [in Boston] I remember rushing off to the legendary Club Passim in Harvard Square to catch the end of a songwriter show, and Rose Cousins was performing when I arrived,” says de Vitry of her fellow ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ performer. “Her voice and her songs and her delivery — it was all very stunning to me. She was a catalyst, and now she is also a friend. I’m honored to support her in Asheville.”
de Vitry says the transition to playing solo has been an exciting one. “I have been writing and touring exclusively with The Stray Birds since 2012, so to be out here right now playing these new songs just feels like a celebration and a release to me,” she says. “It’s not an album release tour yet, but it’s a release of something else. It feels like such a celebration to grow and explore new directions as a human, and to find a more and more focused voice as an artist. Sometimes the process itself is a highlight!”
Stay up-to-date with Maya de Vitry’s news and show calendar on her website, mayadevitry.com.
Rose Cousins will perform Saturday June 16 as part of the ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ series, a benefit for Blue Ridge Public Radio.
This week, NewSong welcomes Canadian songwriter Rose Cousins to the ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ stage. Rooted in authenticity and conviction of voice, Cousins forges a personal connection with her listeners through song. Cousins’ album We Have Made a Spark took home a Canadian Juno Award along with many other awards, including a spot on NPR’s Top 10 Americana & Folk Albums list. Her latest album, Natural Conclusion, was called “easily one of the most distinguished Americana releases of 2017” by the Los Angeles Times.
Cousins will perform as part of the Sanctuary Sessions series Saturday, June 16th at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville. Doors at 7 pm. Songwriter Maya de Vitry shares the bill.
All proceeds from the ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ concert series benefit Blue Ridge Public Radio, a cause that resonates with Cousins. “Public radio is how my career started in Canada by being supported by the CBC,” she says. “Listener supported radio has committed community members who care about what’s happening in the world but also what people are making. I have a deep gratitude for public radio and feel lucky be supported by it.”
Cousins shares the stage with her friend and fellow songwriter Maya de Vitry, who has spent the last six years touring with celebrated Americana band, The Stray Birds. “I’m excited to play the Sanctuary Sessions in the beautiful church with my good friend Maya who is an amazing writer and an incredible new batch of songs,” says Cousins. “Looking forward to playing in the church as well.”
Cousins has a busy summer ahead of her, full of festival slots and even some shows performing with acclaimed folk artist Patty Griffin. “I’m hoping to have a very creative year with writing and looking forward to sharing the stage with one of my heroes, Patty Griffin, for a few shows this summer!” says Cousins. You can stay up-to-date with her concert calendar on her website, rosecousins.com.
Scotchie will perform with his band, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats. Revered for their high energy live shows, dynamic musicianship and Scotchie’s larger than life stage presence, the Asheville, NC based band is dedicated to building their musical family. Scotchie is, of course, a big fan of Petty. “Tom loved so many things about this world, and it showed in his lyrics,” says Scotchie. “So many of his albums taught me the power of simplicity, band dynamics and raw emotion. I think his hooks and melodies taught me the power of a song at a very early age.”
We asked Scotchie three questions in advance of his ‘Southern Accents’ performances Tuesday, June 12 at One New York Plaza and Wednesday June 13 at Grace Plaza. Both shows take place 12:30-1:30 pm and are free and open to the public.
1. How does Tom Petty influence your own music?
Petty’s energy and his songwriting are simply infectious. I’ve always been inspired by how so much of Petty’s lyrics were romantic, and not just romantic in the sense of a love song — romantic with life.
Many of his songs are driven by a guitar melody or chorus, and I think that is a technique I have always favored. His stage presence has made a huge impact on me as well. I’ve always admired his story and how he had to fight the record industry in the 80s. Tom never sacrificed his artistic integrity for money and always kept his music honest. Tom was a great frontman that knew how to connect people. I think he was one of the best entertainers of all time.
2. What is your own songwriting process like?
Most of the time I have a lyrical hook, rhythmic idea or a guitar melody that I start with. I try to let at least one of those aspects be the foundation. I’m very much so a “feel” oriented player and writer. I don’t want things to ever sound fabricated, so I try to capture song ideas in the raw stage and keep them as uncaged as possible. I almost use songwriting as a problem solving tool. That is my ultimate goal in songwriting: making people (and myself) feel a bit lighter after a song or having the music serve as some kind of release. Music is a very primal thing for people. Just like the human spirit, it should be intense but not overcomplicated. People relate to real, raw and simple before they relate to how many notes you can play.
I’ve noticed that I get a lot of song inspiration by simply listening to conversations and just observing, not saying a word. I find it fascinating the way some people phrase different situations or struggles, and it can offer a new perspective on the world. The the title of our new album, Family Dynamo, for example, came from my cousin Tyler. He described my father Tom as the “Family Dynamo.” Those words resonated with me and gave me the foundation. From there, I wrote the verses, picked out the main melody and tried to just let it be a vehicle for a song encouraging the power of family and community love.
3. What’s coming up for you and your band that you would like readers to know about?
Well, for our hometown readers, we are bringing the new album, Family Dynamo, back home June 29th for a free CD release show at the Highland Brewing Meadow. This outdoor show is going to be one for the books.
From July onward we will be mainly taking the new CD to cities up and down the east coast such as Charlotte, NC; Floyd, VA (Floyd Fest); Savannah, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Brevard, NC; Johnson City, TN; and more. We are very very proud of the new record and believe its our most eclectic work yet.
It’s also exciting the new songs have made their way into the sets already. I feel Keith (bass), Eliza (drums) and I are working really well together and putting together some dynamic songs that can push the envelope of our brand.
Oh — and I can’t forget this — for any fans out there wanting to help us get a new Ratmobile, my van recently blew a head gasket (kiss of death for most cars), and we will be launching a GoFundMe and hosting a benefit show to help us get a new van. Stay tuned for info on that in the coming weeks.
Blue Ridge Public Radio CEO David Feingold at the first ‘Sanctuary Sessions’ performance on the Central United Methodist church stage.
Blue Ridge Public Radio and NewSong Music have partnered to present ‘Sanctuary Sessions,’ a concert series to benefit BPR. The concerts feature some of North America’s most talented emerging singer-songwriters and are held in the beautiful and acoustically stunning sanctuary of Central United Methodist Church, located in the heart of downtown Asheville at 27 Church Street. 100% of the ticket proceeds will benefit Blue Ridge Public Radio, NPR for Western North Carolina.
The next and last ‘Sanctuary Series’ performance is this Saturday, June 16th, featuring Rose Cousins and Maya de Vitry.
David Feingold is the General Manager and CEO at Blue Ridge Public Radio. We asked David a few questions about the station’s involvement in the Sanctuary Sessions series as well as BPR’s commitment to community and local music.
The Central United Methodist Church welcomes NewSong curated musicians to its beautiful stage for the Sanctuary Sessions series.
How does the Sanctuary Sessions series fit in with Blue Ridge Public Radio’s mission and goals?
The series reflects two of BPR’s core values: programming that enhances community life, aided by ongoing engagement and collaboration; and recognizing the arts and the power they have to transform and enrich our lives. I believe we share those values with Central United Methodist Church and NewSong.
How does BPR support up-and-coming musicians like the ones featured in the Sanctuary Sessions?
A year ago we hired Matt Peiken, our first arts journalist. His excellent reporting on the region’s musicians has connected with our listeners on air and across our digital platforms. We also brought Bob Boilen, the founder of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, to Asheville for this year’s Creative Sector Summit presented by the Asheville Area Arts Council. Bob spent several days here and was impressed with how the music industry has grown. As an NPR station, we can help make those connections.
Is there anything else you would like readers and listeners to know about your work at BPR?
Thanks to a very talented and hard-working staff and the generous support of our listeners and area businesses and organizations, we’re able to deliver a public radio service that has made BPR the most-listened to radio station in our market. One of those generous organizations is the Asheville Central United Methodist Church.
Tickets for the June 16th concert, produced by NewSong Music, are available in advance for $15.00 at The Orange Peel website, and will be available at the venue on the day of show for $20.00. Click here to purchase tickets for June 16th show featuring Rose Cousins and Maya de Vitry.
Blue Yonder’s ‘Rough and Ready Heart’ is out June 9, 2018.
Charleston, West Virginia-based trio Blue Yonder—John Lilly (vocals/songwriter, rhythm guitar), Robert Shafer (electric guitar), and Will Carter (acoustic bass, harmony vocals)—are set to release their second full-length album, Rough and Ready Heart, on NewSong Recordings June 8.
The album, which is comprised of 12 original songs, offers a range of Americana—honky-tonk to swing, rockabilly to bluegrass. Carter says the band strove to record songs that called on the “unifying power of country, folk, blues, and swing music, to speak honestly about many of the trials and triumphs that give life meaning.”
The West Virginia band has shows scheduled up and down the east coast, from Asheville, NC to Nova Scotia. “As a band that has honed it sound close to home, we’re looking forward to finally bringing our sound to new audiences over the next several months,” says Carter.
We spoke with bassist Will Carter to learn more about the band, the new album, and the inspiration behind it.
1. How would you describe your sound on this new album? Is there a story behind the name, Rough and Ready Heart?
The recording tells a series of stories about living, losing, and loving along life’s back road highways, set to a broad array of Americana musical traditions — country, folk, blues, and swing. Though the most of the characters featured in these stories are dealing with more trials than triumphs, the toe-tapping music and thoughtful lyrics convey more of a sense of dignity than despair, and an openness to future positive possibilities. “Rough & Ready Heart” is the song that speaks most explicitly to that get-back-on-the-horse again spirit of engaging with whatever life throws at the characters featured in our songs.
2. Could you speak to your experience recording the album at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC?
Having a great team made it a wonderful experience. It all started with our producer Gar, who did everything from help us choose the songs to coordinate the studio sessions to arrange for lodging. And it was so helpful having Clay work the board — he had an great combination of technical proficiency and easy-going laid back, eager-to-please mood. Having Tony Creasman on drums in the studio, who has played with so many big names in Nashville over the years, was such a treat — a really nice guy, and probably the best drummer I will ever have the privilege to play with. And, of course, working with Russ Hicks is amazing — we cover a lot of stylistic ground on the recording and he nailed every piece. It’s easy to understand why he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame back in 2011.
Could you share a bit of the band’s history? How did you find one another? How long have you been playing together?
After decades playing and producing primarily instrumental music (bluegrass, old time, celtic, and jazz), I started appreciating great songwriting around the time John Lilly a touring singer-songwriter who had landed in the same town I did, won a couple of national songwriting awards. I noticed that John tended to play solo, so in 2012 offered to join John on bass for some shows. When that went well, I suggested that we invite another national award-winning local musician, guitarist Robert Shafer, to join us for some gigs. When Mountain Stage host Larry Groce heard the group was playing together, he quickly booked the band for a Mountain Stage performance in early 2013 and was generous enough to offer a complimentary introduction featured on the band’s debut Bittersweet Road recording later that year — recorded in Robert’s living room. To prepare for that first Mountain Stage show, Blue Yonder hosted a couple months of weekly shows at Bluegrass Kitchen, a local Charleston restaurant. Five years later, Blue Yonder still plays every Tuesday night at Bluegrass Kitchen, and chose to dedicate their second recording to the people and scene that has become such an important part of the band’s life.
4. Are there any particular songs you are especially excited about?
We’re mostly excited about the whole package. It brings together a range of emotions, experiences, and musical sensibilities into a coherent whole that features the diverse but complimentary musical traditions of singer-songwriter John Lilly, hot-shot guitar player Robert Shafer, and a contra dance band bass player [Will Carter]. Based on early responses, it seems that “Rough & Ready Heart,” “Windswept,” “Jeannie,” and “You Can’t Get There From Here” are going to be especially appreciated by listeners, but “Standing by the Side of the Road” and “Lost In Yesterday” probably capture best the combination of road trip and heartache that informs so much of Americana music.
5. What do you want fans to know about this release?
That it shows how three middle age white guys with diverse backgrounds can combine to tell meaningful stories that people of all ages and backgrounds can relate to, thanks in part to the unifying power of country, folk, blues, and swing music, to speak honestly about many of the trials and triumphs that give life meaning.
Max Hatt / Edda Glass are a Jazz Americana duo from Santa Fe, NM whose literate lyrics and unique sound leave listeners haunted, in a good way. Glass’s impeccable, singular vocals pair with Hatt’s equally distinctive guitar work. Together, the two combine the harmonic innovations of jazz and classical with the melodic resonance of folk. Max Hatt / Edda Glass will perform as part of the Sanctuary Sessions series Saturday, June 9th at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville. All proceeds go to benefit Blue Ridge Public Radio. Songwriter Becca Leigh shares the bill.
Max Hatt / Edda Glass and Becca Leigh will share the stage at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Asheville June 9th as part of NewSong Music’s Sanctuary Sessions series.
Glass says public radio has a crucial role to play in the music industry and beyond. “You hear about there being a crisis in the music industry, which is funny because there’s an overwhelming number of both music lovers and talented musicians out there,” says Glass. The tricky part is bringing those two groups together— and that’s exactly what the hosts at Blue Ridge Public Radio and Gar Ragland at NewSong music do. They do it on air and online and best of all they’re bringing us all together in real time and space at the Sanctuary — that’s not just a community service; that’s community itself.”
Not only does public radio support musicians, says Glass, but they are also indispensable when it comes to how we get our news, perhaps now more than ever before. “Independent, member-supported, nonprofit news sources like Blue Ridge Public Radio are vital to the survival of democracy in these truly weird and disturbing times,” she says.
“I hope people will come out for the Sanctuary Sessions as a sanctuary from all that division/confusion/alienation — no matter what you believe or where you get your news,” says Glass. “Music has always had the power to bring us together— to quote another troubled time period: music is love, and love is real.”
WHAT: Sanctuary Sessions: Max Hatt / Edda Glass and Becca Leigh
WHERE: Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church Street, downtown Asheville
WHEN: Saturday June 9; Doors: 7 / Show: 7:30
TICKETS: $15 advance / $20 day of show; advance tickets available at theorangepeel.net
