Riley Pinkerton is a NY-based songwriter and her debut full-length Nothing Ever Is came out on the 7th of August. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this one for a couple of years, because I think she is capable of writing captivating stories and wrapping them inside charming, poignant and beautiful folk songs. I’ve really enjoyed the earlier two EPs (one solo and one split with Henry Black). The debut full-length also contains some of the finest songs from these EPs, which is definitely a right decision. After all, it would be downright criminal to left out wonderful songs like Nothing Ever Is and Like The Lady Waiting By Her Phone from a debut album. Listen to a couple of my own favorites below. These two along with the the title track and Do You Understand? form me the backbone of the album for me, but you should definitely follow the links on that Bandcamp player to hear/buy the whole amazing album.

Riley Pinkerton Website

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

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