Music
Alysia Kraft Finds Solace Through Hardship With Debut Solo Single “Cold Mountain”
“Cold Mountain” is an earthy folk tune acknowledging the immensity of pain, loss, and struggle as a first step toward healing and making a change.
Singer-songwriter Alysia Kraft delivers a striking performance on her debut solo single, “Cold Mountain,” out February 18th. As the first song from her upcoming record First Light, out later this year, “Cold Mountain” introduces the project with a sonic breath of fresh air. The Wyoming born artist has made a beloved reputation for herself in the Wyoming and Colorado music scenes; “Cold Mountain” showcases a different side of Kraft’s artistry following her work with Whippoorwill and The Patti Fiasco, inviting listeners to experience the ethereal whimsy inherent to this track’s lush, bioluminescent folk soundscape. Fans of HAIM, Waxahatchee, and Kacey Musgraves will find themselves right at home immersed in Kraft’s lush vocals and melancholy-steeped poetry. “Cold Mountain” is set to make an emotional appearance in the short film, Be Still, premiering at the Front Range Film Festival in Longmont, CO, on February 19 for which it recently won the Indie Short Fest award for “Best Original Song”.

“Cold Mountain” came to Kraft like a breath of fresh air; having grown up in rural Wyoming, this song finds it’s roots in the same grandness of the windswept plains the queer artist took refuge in while enduring various struggles for acceptance and understanding throughout life. Kraft wrote this track “in a moment of fully feeling how brutal and beautiful life can be all at once.” For her, “Cold Mountain” is an exploration of the ways in which we “find the space to feel both the grief and hope we need to keep going.” As co-producer, Kraft made it a point to create something that felt true to the place and emotion of the song. In collaboration with J. Tom Hnatow (producer, mixing engineer) and Justin W. Craig (producer, mixing engineer), Kraft brought her vision to life as a brilliantly multi-dimensional final product. Alysia Kraft partnered with SonaBLAST! Records to create this project, adding her captivating artistic signature to their acclaimed catalog.
Fans can stream “Cold Mountain” on all major streaming platforms on February 18th.
More about Alysia Kraft:
Having amassed devoted regional followings for projects Whippoorwill and The Patti Fiasco as a celebrated songwriter and incomparably magnetic frontwoman, Kraft has sold out most of Colorado’s big stages and directly supported icons Bon Jovi, Blondie, Nathanial Rateliff and Bonnie Raitt on significantly bigger ones. Embracing the complexities of growing up queer on a cattle ranch in small-town Wyoming and choosing to love within a landscape that didn’t always love back, “First Light” is a triumphant homecoming and a defining solo debut. Smart, retro-influenced indie pop and lush, bioluminescent folk will find crossover appeal with fans of HAIM, Sheryl Crow, Sharon Van Etten, and Waxahatchee. Enlisting close collaborator J. Tom Hnatow & Grammy-nominated Justin Craig to produce and mix and acclaimed engineer, Sarah Register to master, “First Light” is open-hearted and thoughtfully hook-adorned– with soundscapes as dimensional as Kraft’s western upbringing and the liberated narratives contained therein.
Artist Spotlight
Mamas Gun and Brian Jackson shines light on the truth on latest release “DIG!”
Mamas Gun makes a strong comeback with their new single “DIG!.” The track sounds more like a strong statement of intent than just a release. The UK band is known for its smooth blend of blue-eyed soul and traditional black music. They show once again that they can make music that sounds both thoughtful and very new, while still being real, emotional, and sophisticated.
“DIG!” was recorded directly onto analogue tape, and every note has warmth, grit, and soul. The production choice gives the music a rich, natural sound that complements the band’s unique groove. It is a piece of music that makes people slow down, really listen, and experience it rather than hear it.
Adding famous collaborator Brian Jackson, whose vocals, keyboard, and flute give the song a timeless elegance, adds even more depth and magic. Jackson is known for working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Ayers, and Earth, Wind & Fire. His addition makes the song something truly special. His reunion with Andy Platts, the lead singer of Mamas Gun, almost twenty years after they first worked together creatively in New York, gives “DIG!” a very personal touch that can be felt throughout. “DIG!” sets a strong mood based on connection, art, and essence. Mamas Gun not only goes back to their roots but also makes them stronger. This song is heartfelt, timeless, and completely captivating.
Connect with Mamas Gun on Spotify || Instagram || facebook || Youtube
Artist Spotlight
Bromsen crafts a suspension between attachment and release in new single “Concendrain”
Bromsen’s latest release, “Concendrain,” is very immersive and lives in the space between control and disintegration. The song smoothly shifts from focused to tired, from connected to free, and captures a complex emotional balance that is both personal and universal.
“Concendrain” starts slowly and carefully, the structure has layers that change over time, so each part can come out on its own without any stress or hurry. As time goes on, electronic textures begin to emerge, giving the music a mood that eventually turns into rock-infused energy. These different sounds don’t clash, they work together to create a track that is alive, fluid, and always changing.
The guitar, voice, and rhythm should all work together on the song. These parts don’t compete for attention; instead, they work together to make a smooth flow that pulls the listener into the song’s emotional depth. The arrangement features vocals that complement complex guitar lines and a steady beat that keeps everything in line.
“Concendrain” is really interesting because it has two sides. The track is about the fight in your head between giving up and pushing through, and between staying focused and giving in to tiredness. Bromsen and Reatsch work together to make something that looks natural and well-made. “Concendrain” doesn’t try to be cool or follow trends. Instead, it gives you a slow experience that you should really pay attention to. “Concendrain” is a powerful and thought-provoking work that sticks with you long after the last note has faded away. It stands out because its structure changes, its atmosphere is rich, and its emotions are strong.
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