Austin Lucas – Immortal Americans

Austin Lucas has a new album out and available and that’s the biggest possible news on the OCTA scale. Immortal Americans came out on Cornelius Chapel Records on the 17th of August and Austin co-produced it with Will Johnson. The new album might not be the most instantly catchy record he has made, but give it a few spins and you’ll be heavily rewarded when these exceptional songs make your heart their new home. In fact, this does feel like the most complete, personal and powerful album of his career, which is kind of a lot said, because I’ve also loved each and everyone that came before it.

The whole album is wonderful, but for me the highlight is The Shadow and Marie. It’s a song that I love, but I hate that there is a reason for it to exist. The song was written during her partner’s cancer diagnosis and treatment and it’s a deeply moving and honest reflection about the uncertainty and the resilience that came with it. There is darkness in the beginning of that song, but later it’s completely overshadowed by unconditional love. It’s an incredible vocal performance, you can really feel that unlimited love in every note that he sings and suddenly that song that came from the dark actually shines brightly and fills the room with warmness and tenderness.

Immortal Americans is now out on Cornelius Chapel Records. Here are the awesome title track and lead single Immortal Americans and aforementioned The Shadow and Marie, but you really need to hear the whole beautiful record.

Austin Lucas Website
Cornelius Chapel Records Website

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Hawks and Doves – From a White Hotel

Some years ago Kasey Anderson released wonderful albums. Especially Nowhere Nights is a really great one. Then some shit happened that is well documented elsewhere, but now Kasey is back making noise the right way and I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t give him a new chance. His new band is called Hawks and Doves and their debut album From a White Hotel came out on the 27th of July on Jullian Records. Kasey Anderson sure hasn’t lost his ability to write first class american rock’n’roll and Chasing The Sky, Bulletproof Hearts (For Laura Jane) and Dangerous Ones should all be hits. I sure hope this won’t be a one-off and Hawks and Doves or Kasey continues to release music in some capacity. The talent is still there. Of course it always was. Here’s the lyric video for Bulletproof Hearts (For Laure Jane).

Hawks and Doves Website

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Kristina Murray – Strong Blood (video)

One of my most anticipated album releases this fall is the new Kristina Murray album Southern Ambrosia that is due out on the 21st of September. She is a country/americana singer-songwriter from Nashville and I’ve loved everything I’ve heard so far from the forthcoming album (the first two album outtakes and a live stream of a concert from her current Nordic tour. Still going on btw, if you want to make a quick trip over the Baltic Sea, I sure would love to, but my bank account disagrees). Anyway, here are the first two outtakes from the album. The music video for Strong Blood and the first single Lovers and Liars. More around the time of the release when I’ve heard the album.

Kristina Murray Website

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Album Premiere: Joel Henry Little – Spuyten Duyvil

Today I’m proud to premiere something timeless and almost otherwordly. French Life is A Minestrone has been responsible of creating excellent various artist compilations during the last few years, but the proper birth of Life Is A Minestrone Records happens on the 24th of August when they release a remarkable album from Joel Henry Little.

Joel Henry Little is a young singer-songwriter from New York City and his moving and incredibly beautiful album Spuyten Duyvil is a work of art. His music has echoes of the work of classic pop composers like Harry Nilsson, Emitt Rhodes, Jimmy Webb and Jimmy Campbell. Another main ingredient is his love of Broadway musicals and these influences effortlessly blend together to form a glorious and timeless combination of classic 70s pop/folk songwriting, baroque pop and Broadway musicals. Spuyten Duyvil is an exceptional album that takes you on a imaginative musical journey that leaves a lasting impression.

Spuyten Duyvil is out this Friday on Life Is A Minestrone Records. Listen to the beautiful album below and pre-order it from Life Is a Minestrone’s Bandcamp.

Joel Henry Little Website
Joel Henry Little at Facebook
Life is a Minestrone at Bandcamp
Life is a Minestrone at Facebook

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