Artist Spotlight

The Old North Shares a New EP “Ghost”

Building off the “lonesome stranger” aura of their last single “Drifter,” Boston’s smokey Americana/ traditional folk-bluegrass trio, The Old North, has released their Ghost EP. The four-song EP picks up where “Drifter” left off, containing catchy tunes about love, heartbreak, and the metaphorical dance of life, using the backbone of historical fiction as a catalyst for inspiration.

“Southbound” follows the story of a death row inmate lamenting and reliving his days as an outlaw while the melodic gypsy jazz instrumentation has room to play. As as he plays the part of an old train robber, frontman Andrew O’Keeffe’s voice is equal parts raspy ecstasy and passionate torment. The track romanticizes the Old West while light-heartedly shedding light on its many burdens. Similar in feeling is “Wild Ways,” an excitable blues-country ditty about leaving a life of lawlessness for a mysterious love. What’s genius about the song is it could once again take place during the American Frontier, or a modern cityscape.

The Old North leaves it vague enough for the listener to decide. “Starling” is about making the most out of the unfamiliar situations life has a tendency to throw at you. It’s a bouncing slow-burn with a relatable message—after a little self-reflection, any bleak situation is an opportunity to grow as a human being. The melodic piano here from guest musician, Aaron SaidiZand, is subtle but a standout moment on Ghost. The final and title track “Ghost” is just as ethereal as its name suggests, utilizing the haunting atmosphere of the fiddle, played by Eddie Dickerson, to ground you in a forlorn folk melancholy.

It’s easily the most vulnerable track on the EP, about an abrupt end to a relationship. The Ghost EP is another stepping stone for The Old North, conveying the collective maturity and confidence of a band carefully honing out their songwriting craft. The Old North also has plans to release two singles and another EP in 2022.

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Artist Spotlight

Lana Crow turns challenges into a celebration with “Laugh With You”

“Laugh With You,” the latest single from Lana Crow, is a sincere rallying cry to embrace life in all its messy, beautiful mess. In the song, indie pop and alt-pop combine to deliver an emotional blow that feels both personal and universal.

“Laugh With You” feels like an instant connection, and Crow is telling you stories of hard times with a cozy, knowing smile. This song is as much about struggle as it is about how strong you are. It serves as a reminder that these struggles are simply what give us the strength to keep going, even when life is tough.

Crow encourages people to welcome them, create happiness in the cracks, and laugh even as the world gets heavy. The result is a song that delicately nudges you to love and embrace yourself. It is an anthem for anyone experiencing tough times who refuses to give up hope. Lana Crow continues to demonstrate her songwriting skills, both musically pleasing and emotionally rich, with “Laugh With You.”

It’s a reminder that it’s how we respond to tough times, rather than how they affect us, that’s key. With this song, not only does Crow provide us with music, but she also lets us know that sometimes a laugh is what we need to remember that there is always something to smile about and that, even when it feels like life has waged war against you, laughter can still be found.

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Artist Spotlight

BluntBrad Jr. finds calm ambition in the laid-back shine of “It’s All Good”

BluntBrad Jr.’s new single, “It’s All Good,” sounds like a steady handshake and a deep breath. It’s warm, honest, and not trying to be cool. There isn’t any fancy production hiding behind layers of polish here. Instead, the song is all about being honest. The song is laid-back and offers up the shine of a studio recording for the feeling of a candid introduction, a musical “hello” from someone who wants to be heard for who they are.

“It’s All Good” is a very human way to be hopeful at its core. The feeling is simple and real, like someone who won’t let little things stand in the way of their goals. The words to the song sound like friends talking to each other. They discuss their goals, their drive, and their need for attention in a way that is honest and not needy.

The production backs this up by making sure that everything is open and airy. The instruments are simple and easy to understand, so BluntBrad Jr.’s voice and message come through clearly. The song feels real because it doesn’t have a lot of extra stuff in it. You’re not hearing a heavily constructed persona; you’re hearing someone at the start of a journey, eager to make their mark.

The song’s rough edges make it captivating, which is better than polish, which would have smoothed it out. This way of thinking fits with the theme: hope isn’t naive here; it’s realistic and steady. It speaks to people who like simple songs and value honesty over artifice.

“It’s All Good” is an engaging and approachable phrase that offers context for an artist who is confident and clear about their artistic vision. This is the kind of song you listen to when you need some honest encouragement to remember that just being human can help you move forward. This is only the first chapter of something serious, so expect more from him.

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