This time of year brings back lots of memories–football games, drinking beer with friends, picking apples with family. And likewise there’s a definitive soundtrack for fall. Wistful, more insightful and more laid back than their fun-loving summer cousins, the songs are generally have a little more meat on the bones and stick to [...]

During the height of the post-9/11 national pride boom we were awash with supposed patriotism that questioned anyone who dare suggest a contrary opinion on topics such as the war in Iraq, our addiction to oil or our reputation abroad. In glaring similarity to the Red Scare, the protest spirit was quieted, nearly extinguished. [...]

You’ve heard it said that first impressions are everything. If that’s true, then Austin’s The Band of Heathens have found a fitting introduction with their self-titled first studio effort.
The boys are well-worn in the live scene, garnering an avid following in the short years since their transformation from standalone songwriters to an accomplished quintet. [...]

It’s well-established that Americana acts aren’t always American. Taking advantage of this new age of music distribution that only requires an internet connection to become a global act, European acts are capitalizing on the blossoming popularity of the genre in the EU.
Like their counterparts across the pond, the UK-based God-Fearing Atheists have found solace [...]

It’s incredibly easy to sit here on our critic’s thrown and lob our opinions down the mountain at artists. Our opinions, for what little they’re actually worth, are nearly anonymous. No one harasses a critic while he’s writing a column or interrupts his work by talking too loudly. Rarely do critics get [...]

Capturing a bit of the nostalgia market is a viable strategy these days for Americana artists. From Old Crow Medicine Show to the mainstream Norah Jones, the trend is clearly attracting ever-knowledgeable and discerning listeners.
The Chapin Sisters, likewise, are capitalizing on their lush 3-part harmonies and vintage arrangements with Lake Bottom LP. The [...]

Stacks of CDs arrive weekly, most of which are sent by PR people who don’t even know what Americana music sounds like. As such, I have lots of music outside of the genre I cover. Generally I don’t review discs that don’t fit into the genre in some way, but today I’m making [...]

One of the more troubling affairs for fans is the natural evolution that each band faces through their career. The countless times I’ve heard “I like their old stuff,” reminds me of the double-edged sword that comes with die-hard fans.
The Nadas are no exception and their latest release The Ghosts Inside These [...]

My mailbox is often stuffed with artists whose names don’t exactly roll off the tongue. Almost tripping over one another, the litany of unknowns continues to disappoint. Either they don’t know the style of music we cover here or the music simply doesn’t inspire me to say anything positive.
Lee Penn Sky of Boise [...]

There was officially a drought at the Sharkbitten offices for a bit, but the clouds have opened up and provided the nourishment we so needed.
A rather nondescript package arrived from one “Kaz Murphy” but clearly held a CD. Inside was Home for Misfits by Kaz Murphy. That’s right, an artist took the time [...]