Wes Tirey's deeply personal 2019 release No Winners in the Blues was just re-issued on vinyl via Full Spectrum Records. We catch up with Wes to gain some insight into its dark, lonesome sound, discuss his collaboration with electric guitarist Shane Parish and producer Andrew Weathers, and his songwriting process then versus now. Grab the album here: https://fullspectrumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/no-winners-in-the-blues

In this interview, I ask Greg Loiacono all about the Mother Hips' new album, Glowing Lantern, made in the midst of the pandemic and embracing the collaborative spirit of the Hips' youth. I also ask Greg for lots of musical advice, and later we're joined by Tim Bluhm. The two share memories from their 30+ year career as professional musicians, including how they met and learned from each other back at Chico State, and the secrets to staying together as a band for so long. Thanks to Greg and Tim for joining, and please check out Glowing Lantern, out now on Blue Rose Music. Blue Rose also just re-issued all of the Mother Hips' albums on vinyl this year, and the Hips already have a new album in the works so stay tuned.

If you're not new to Petal Motel dot com, you're aware of our revere for Neal Casal, as a musician, a songwriter, a guitarist, a music lover, and a person. Last year we did a complete retrospective on his solo albums, and well, there's a dedication to him imprinted on the bottom of the site, he's my #1 musical hero, the reason I have good taste (from scourging myself on every interview I could get my hands on and just listening to whatever he said to or played on), and, he's just missed immensely. He made such an impression on absolutely everyone he ever came into contact with..Neal's friends and family started the Neal Casal Music Foundation to provide mental and physical healthcare to musicians, and to provide New York and New Jersey students with instruments and music lessons. Of several fundraising projects, the behemoth is Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal, a sprawling 41-song collection of tributes recorded by Neal's friends and colleagues, many of whom played on the originals. Each artist's interpretations are unique and spell-binding, and the entire pursuit is an enormous labor of love from Executive Producers Gary Waldman and Michele Augis and co-producers Jim Scott and Dave Schools. You can hear more about each individual song directly from the musicians who re-imagined them on the Highway Butterfly: The Stories of Neal Casal podcast. But today, we're sticking to the music. And who better to discuss it with than Michele Augis (Executive Producer and Marketing Director of the Neal Casal Music Foundation); Kevin Calabro (head of Royal Potato Family, the label issuing the album, and head of Calabro Music Media, the PR firm promoting the record); Jon Graboff (who played on 17 tracks on the album and of course played alongside Neal for many years); and Mark Feingold (fellow writer and music enthusiast, you'll recognize his writing from Terrascope.)?In this episode, we discuss our initial reactions to the music, our personal standout tracks on the album, our favorite "deep cuts", and all those involved in making it share insights into the recording sessions, plus a few great Neal stories thrown in for good measure.You can still order Highway Butterfly: The Songs of Neal Casal through the Foundation's website.Photo by Jay Blakesberg.

Spencer Cullum cut his teeth in Detroit playing with a rock and roll band before moving to Nashville and becoming an in-demand session player, playing with Miranda Lambert, Kesha, and Deer Tick. Eventually he began writing his own songs and invited Nashville luminaries like Caitlin Rose, Andrew Combs, Erin Rae, and Skyway Man to play on his record. Coin Collection is a timeless sounding blend of folk music, prog, and kraut rock, with breathy harmonies, dream-like (and intentionally obscure) lyricism, and of course, some killer musicianship.We talked about him learning pedal steel from the legendary fellow British steel player B.J. Cole, how he became acquainted with the many luminaries on this record in Nashville, and how he's still nervous to sing his songs in front of people (and Enya!!)Coin Collection was released digitally last year and is being issued on vinyl by Full Time Hobby (with a previously unheard track) and hits the streets tomorrow. Get it on Bandcamp.

Lou Turner is a native Texan and current Nashville resident. She plays with the band Styrofoam Winos and she released a solo album entitled Songs for John Venn last year on Spinster Sounds. She also published a book, Shape Note Singing, on Vegetarian Alcoholic Press.  Songs for John Venn is truly a glowing masterwork, reflecting on themes of transformation and finding the good parts of non-secularism while leaving others behind. We talked about the inherent spiritualism of making music in community, her artistic development as both a poet and a songwriter, writing as a means of being part of a global conversation, and finding optimism in watching the seeds you sow blossom.Get Songs for John Venn on Bandcamp, and Shape Note Singing also on Bandcamp!

Johanna Samuels isn't a person who loafs around when touring slows down. She had a busy ass year while staying at home, organizing, community building, and writing copious amounts of songs. As we began to see the light, she released her gorgeous album Excelsior!, a deeply personal album dealing with topics ranging from love, sexual assault, the state of the world, death and loss. The album was named for how her dearly missed late grandfather signed his letters, "Excelsior!" meaning ever upward. And moving onward and upward is what Johanna's music does - it's a processing mechanism, a gorgeously orchestrated and thoughtfully crafted song suite that works to make beauty out of otherwise difficult or tragic situations. We are blessed to have alchemists like Johanna in our midst who are willing to share their innermost reflections and reveal the magic that uplifts us.Get Excelsior! on Bandcamp. Out now on Mama Bird Recording Co.

I remember the *day* the first Rose City Band record quietly dropped, and when I say quietly, I mean, well, quiet in that distinct way the project's mastermind and (usually) sole member Ripley Johnson makes richly textured, vibrant psychedelic music without relying on noise or feedback alone. It took no time at all for the music internet to put together that the overlap in signature tones and licks from Ripley's other projects and those heard on Rose City Band were one in the same. As a huge fan of his work with Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, his artistic evolutionary arc embracing the cosmic country side of sound was a thrilling development, and the music just continues to get better. Hank sure ain't done it this way. Extremely complex and layered, Rose City Band's music is still deeply psychedelic, but Johnson's stylistic choices make his passion for the genre clear. He channels the Dead and Neil Young but makes the genre all his unique own.This time around, Johnson invited fellow Portlander Barry Walker Jr. to add his space-y pedal steel to add even more sonic lushness to the sound. Ryan Jewell, John Jeffrey, and Sanae Yamada also make appearances on this record, rounding out Johnson's kaleidoscopic guitar riffs and his voice like the wind, and making that high lonesome sound a little friendlier. In its entirety, Ripley continues making connected, sublimely enchanting pieces of art that are a welcome welcome to summer but warm the soul all year long.Earth Trip is out 6/25 on Thrill Jockey. Pre-order on Bandcamp.

Joe Bourdet has been a staple on the LA scene since the days of Josh Schwartz's Painted Hills and bluesy-rock outfit Whispering Pines, and more recently he's played GospelbeacH's Let It Burn and the upcoming Ben Reddell Band EP. At long last, he's releasing his solo debut, Meadow Rock, inspired by the rolling hills of California, the sounds of the canyon (this one a bit more Topanga than Laurel, but both are present), and the spirit of the folk pioneers and pristine engineers that went before him.The record serves as an aural tour of the Golden State - from the Sierra Nevadas (Amongst the Pines) to the beaches (El Capitan), and all the spaces in between. In this podcast, Joe takes us through his musical history, his life that follows a similar map as the record, from the railroad towns on the outskirts of the Emerald Triangle to the surf of Santa Cruz to the sparkling city that is Los Angeles, where Joe resides today. Not that this album is only relevant in California or to Californians - there are more than enough pine trees and palm trees that translate well to anywhere, anyone, and ultimately, any time.Pre-order Meadow Rock on Bandcamp.

Prolific songwriter, musician and poet Wes Tirey released his latest album, The Midwest Book of the Dead, on Dear Life at the end of April. Our wonderful contributor Lou Turner conducted a thoughtful written interview with Wes you can read here, but I was lucky to talk to him a bit more. Wes is an incredible lyricist and naturally his poems aren't shabby either. I wanted to ask him specifically about his identity as a writer, how he processes poetry vs. songwriting, and how he got into music. I highly recommend listening to the Talking Book podcast in which Wes reads a few of his poems from the chapbook available alongside the album.Hearing Wes say that he identified with these lone Americana figures as a youngster makes a lot of sense. His writing and deep baritone very much aligns with this sort of American sensitive stoic figure - his vivid descriptions speak for themselves, and he shows you rather tells you about the rich emotionality of a scene. The Midwest Book of the Dead is an immense, detailed text; and his back catalog is full of gems as well.Get The Midwest Book of the Dead on Bandcamp - and make sure to spring for the accompanying chapbook.

Rachel Dean and Tim Paul Gray, both accomplished performers, songwriters, and recording artists in their own rite, released their debut record together as Starlight Cleaning Co. just last week on Sofaburn Records. Produced by Bart Davenport and engineered by Joel Jerome, the duo recorded the album at their home studio, the very same Vetiver recorded last year's gorgeous Up On High in.The sounds on this record span many genres - from the more obvious power pop references to jangly and even some heavy metal moments. Their unique sound, vocal performances that emanate powerfully separately and meld together flawlessly, and timeless lyrics give the record an instant classic feel. Highlights include "Train Wreck," "Joy Killer" and "House of Hangups," but every song is an absolute bop. They have great energy and without being certain, I have a feeling that this and their interpersonal charisma will translate well on stage. 10/10. Rachel and Tim, a real life couple, told me their story of coming together as musical and romantic partners, their songwriting process together, and of course we had to talk a bit about the album's guitar contributions from Neal Casal. The album has a lot of heart and talking to Rachel and Tim makes it clear why. Order Starlight Cleaning Co. on vinyl here!

David John Morris found himself taking Red River Road to Gambo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada and smiled to himself. It was one fortuitous signal among many along the way that led him to this place. Inside the Abbey, the Cornish songwriter became a temporarily ordained Buddhist monk and spent several months inside sans musical means of expression. After several months, he made a compelling argument to the elders and was permitted to acquire a guitar. From there, the songs fled from him and the idea to make an album, Monastic Love Songs, was conceived.Monastic Love Songs is a follow-up to Red River Dialect’s Tender Gold and Gentle Blue, and was recorded in a single day at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal, the site of the recording of many Constellation Records albums, which were the object of David’s obsession at the time. Thor Harris plays drums and Thierry Amar plays on double bass, while Howard Bilerman helmed recording. Friends Tom Relleen (who also mentioned the studio and ignited the flame of the idea for this session), Catrin Vincent, and Coral Rose also appear.In our conversation, David shared memories of the monastery and discussed what went about inside, and offers some additional insights into the ten songs of extraordinary depth, beauty, reflection, acceptance, and joy that make up this album.Monastic Love Songs is out on May 21st. Pre-order it here.

I first became a fan of Sarah Louise's floral fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing on her albums Deeper Woods and Field Guides, and remained intrigued by her more maximalist turn on 2019's Nighttime Birds and Morning Stars, but nothing prepared me for Earth Bow. Sarah's latest album is a sparkling, expansive exploration of meaning and melody, and also Sarah Louise's most electronic record yet. As an admitted die-hard, erm, curmudgeon about electronic music, this conversation came at a somewhat pivotal time for me. I'm grateful to Sarah for the reminder that humans are after all the ones making electronic music, and that it can certainly be a conduit of spirituality and enlightenment, sometimes definitively so.I spoke to Sarah Louise on Earth Day, fittingly. Highlights include: discussing the social construct of the "natural"/synthetic binary, her electronic turn, and her relationship with the earth. Also need to note that the actual Lester Bangs quote I mentioned was him saying "It's all folk music, anyway." Louis Armstrong said "All music is folk music."Sarah Louise's Earth Bow is out 4/30. Get it on Bandcamp.

Tulsa Oklahoma's Jesse Aycock is a talented and in-demand multi-instrumentalist who has shared a stage with the Secret Sisters, Elizabeth Cook, and of course, he was a member of Hard Working Americans along with Todd Snider, Dave Schools, Neal Casal, Chad Staehly, and Duane Trucks. Jesse is also a singer and songwriter who just released his third solo album on Horton Records. The self-titled album is dedicated to Neal Casal, and his influence on Jesse as a songwriter is apparent here - the album is soulful, sensitive, tremendously sad, and immensely beautiful.

Jeffrey Silverstein is an east-coaster turned PNW-er who teaches, writes, runs, meditates, and obviously, makes some extremely cool music. He has a beautiful new EP called Torii Gates that is out tomorrow on Arrowhawk Records. Last year, Jeffrey's full-length You Become the Mountain made our AOTY list - an album of "effortless meditation" - even the most reluctant ball of stress will find their jaw unclenching and their shoulders descending as they listen to Jeffrey's grounding vocals accompanied by recordings of guided mindfulness techniques.His latest EP, Torii Gates, uses similar elements - soothing tones, singing bowls, root-chakra-reaching resonance, and positive affirmation. Although it is an EP - it feels like a perfect circle, no weak moments and not too shortlacking or wanting - just enough. Retaining YBATM's chill, the addition of a heavy, acidic injection of fuzzed-out, blistering guitar electrifies the listener. Previously, Barry Walker Jr.’s pedal steel may have been center stage, but with Torii Gates, the intriguing, luminescent guitar work is the star of the show. Of course, it it is more than the sum of its parts, a kaleidoscopic journey inward and out. You Become the Mountain was very much of earth and air while Torii Gates contemplates aquatic themes, both literally and figuratively - the blue mind, fluid and languid, rivers running by, emerging earnest and transcendent.

Buck Curran, the prolific singer, songwriter, luthier living in Bergamo, Italy, has a lot going on. Buck's Obsolete Recording label seems to be endlessly pumping out the jams, in the form of interstellar ambience, ruminative ragas, and melancholy melodies.I thought the best way to cover all the things going on with his label, Obsolete Recordings, would be to hear it straight from him. Hear Buck discuss the ten-year anniversary of the pivotal album Red Planet, from his project Arborea featuring himself and his former partner Shanti. We also discuss his partner Adele's adaption of Erik Satie's Gnossienne No. 1.Finally, we get to the crux of the announcements - the time-sensitive endeavor to reunite Buck with a custom-made guitar. Hear the incredible story of how this guitar was made, how it slipped through his fingers, and how he found it ten years later on the other side of the world, in a guitar shop in Japan. Buck is offering various subscription levels to Obsolete Recordings. I can't urge music lovers enough to utilize Bandcamp subscriptions to support artists in a sustainable way - and you get instant access to their entire back catalog. It honestly feels advantageous because you get so much more than you pay for. There are a few subscription tiers, and the days that the guitar is on hold are swiftly counting down.

We interviewed Josh Kimbrough, the fingerstyle guitarist and composer from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Josh put out his fantastic solo debut record, Slither, Soar, and Disappear last year on Tompkins Square, as well as a Christmas EP entitled Yule Chime.I wanted to know a bit more about Josh’s history of being immersed in the Chapel Hill-area music scene as a young adult which he obliged filling me in on. He also described how his interests and proclivities shifted from his math rock roots to where he is now as an established acoustic guitar instrumentalist, influenced by labelmates on Tompkins Square as well as Fernando Sor and Freddie King.Josh’s story about the inspiration behind these songs is incredibly sweet and striking. The album is rooted in nature and inspired by fatherhood. It ponders the depth and meaning in simple rituals, like how a daily walk through nature seen through your newborn’s eyes can become an intense, eye-opening, and extremely touching experience.If you haven't heard this acclaimed collection of songs - a cycle, if you will- please do. What a gift this record is to us, the listeners, and for Simon, to have this trove of sonic moments that his dad so lovingly created and preserved for him.

Tan Cologne is Lauren Green and Marissa Macias, two interdisciplinary artists living in Taos, New Mexico. Last year they released their debut album, Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico on Labrador Records, followed by a single “Heretic Porcelain” last October.With their sweeping, kaleidoscopic soundscapes that emulate the New Mexico horizon, Tan Cologne’s music has an intoxicating, visual quality. Lyrics work to invoke sensations, vocals becoming another instrument and words taking on new meaning as through repetition the sound becomes separated like a more psychedelic Treasure-era Cocteau Twins. Their hazy, dreamy guitar work sounds simple and effortless at first listen but it’s actually extremely intricate and tactile.Outside of Tan Cologne, Lauren and Marissa work in a variety of mediums separately and together work on Psychic Sink, a publication and gallery space sometimes physical and sometimes virtual. They also work with young musician Hataałii and are releasing his album Painting Portraits.Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico was recorded mostly in a 250+-year-old adobe fortress in Ranchos de Taos, and the echoes of the spirits are audible. The album is transcendent and transportive, and my conversation with Marissa and Lauren was equally as inspiring.Check out Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico on Bandcamp.

The Nashville Ambient Ensemble, one of the most exciting new projects of Nashville's continuously burgeoning experimental scene, is releasing their debut tomorrow on Centripetal Force Records.The seven-piece ensemble, spearheaded by composer Michael Hix and featuring many of the stars of the scene in their own rite, like Kim Rueger (Belly Full of Stars), Jack Silverman (who penned the album's title track), Deli Paloma-Sisk (Diatom Deli), Cynthia Cárdenas, Timon Kaple, and Luke Schneider. Although each individual artist's musical background is unique, the shared vision and collaborative spirit only found in Nashville turns seven voices into one. The six languorous, other-worldly tunes are thoughtfully composed, reminiscent of classical music in its movements and technicality; but in fact, bluegrass and jazz were Hix's influences, as far as improvisational techniques and the almost psychic communication that goes on between players during this type of performance. As I said in my initial review and you'll hear me say again, this record does cause one's pineal gland to throb quite viscerally.

Friends, roadfellows and instrumental guitarists Cameron and Eli are putting an album out tomorrow on American Dreams Records. Recording a record together may seem like a natural and intuitive decision - but it was not. Cameron found the idea insurmountable but Eli convinced him that it could work - and it does, beautifully. Cameron's bluegrass-informed flat-picking and Eli's experimentalist finger style guitar work together to create intricate, sophisticated harmonies that are a dream for both passive and active listening - pleasant and extremely pretty, but quite involved and thoughtful.The nine songs on Anticipation feature more than a few one-take tracks, and there's a largely improvisational, spontaneous nature not only in the songs themselves but in the fact that they recorded the album in a single session. Some people simply work best on a deadline. Thanks so much to Cameron and Eli for sharing these deep insights into the making of the record. If you haven't yet, pre-order Anticipation on Bandcamp. Make sure to scoop that limited edition bundle!

I'm late to the game when it comes to the music of Jerry David DeCicca, but he's a true veteran of the modern music world, having lived on the road for many years with his band Black Swans before opting for a "Quiet Life" (get it? that's a song title) when he moved to Texas with his partner a few years back. In addition to making music, he's also produced a good handful of albums for the Numero Group and Tompkins Square Records, and authored liner notes and articles for Aquarium Drunkard.His most recent album, 2020's The Unlikely Optimist and His Domestic Adventures , wavers between the whimsical and worldly, at times existential and pondering issues of class, mortality, and location; while also crooning about his beloved pets ("Texas Toad") and food ("Grape Jelly"). Jerry is a master of metaphor though, as revealed in "Coffee Black," a song about lightening up with age. As you'll hear in our conversation, the standout song to me is "West Texas Trilogy," an epic exploration of the Texas landscape, its inhabitants, and ultimately, its legacy.This song particularly drew me to the album and prompted to me to ask JDD about his relationship to location, and how he feels aligned with the spirit of Texas's Hill Country. The stirring line, "I came here to be close to these songs" moved me, and we discuss whether or not in fact relocating there did in fact make him feel closer. I think he's certainly following in the foosteps of the best songwriters Texas ever produced. Native or not - DeCicca is a very fine songwriter and I do believe he is following the path of TVZ, Clark, Shaver, and Walker.