Hit 'n Run by Raneem Imam
This was another tip from the Memphis beauty that is Cyrena Wages. Many people comment on the strength and depth of CW's Memphis network and Raneem Imam is another incredible example.
Beyond that and as so often with me, it was Raneem's words that won me over. The song is about this guy who drives her around in an actual bust up old car but turns out to be bad news, a true hit and run in the metaphorical sense. She thought she looked both ways before using the crosswalk. But still he bounced her right off the hood. An experience I can imagine wakes you up if it doesn't kill you.
Raneem's very new album is out now and was recorded "as live" in the studio. The reel of her hitting the big high note in Hit 'n Run is something to behold. The clip is improved by the nonchalance of the guitarist. It has just the right amount of sweary humour and builds to that amazing crescendo.
Everything She Ain't by Hailey Whitters
I don't know how I came across Hailey Whitters, the Corn Queen, but I think it is linked to Corn Flakes. It needs to be seen really. Anyway she reminds me a lot of Natalie Maines, which is all I need to say. Tour incoming!
Some notes for British listeners. Shotgunning a beer is when you stab the can with a sharp object and drink the contents at high speed from the hole you just made. The beer fires out at quite a rate. There's even instructions online. The "Audrey to your Hank" reference is of course the famous Country couple Audrey Sheppard and Hank Williams. They married in 1944 but it didn't last. He died young after an accidental overdose, but his music continued to gain popularity.
Limbo Land by Savannah Brister
There's not much more I can add to the album review of Soft except to say that Limbo Land has now been nominated for a HIMA independent artist song of the year award. It's certainly deserved.
PAUL DETTMANN
Our Love is Done by Hannah Juanita
It was Mose Wilson put me onto Hannah, although he didn't let on that they were actually engaged! He has produced for her and also the delightful Sweet Megg, who is no stranger to these pages. Hannah is touring now and I will be seeing her and Mose live in London in July.
Playing Diamonds by Chaparelle
Chaparelle are based in Texas but they are touring everywhere right now, including today! Western Pleasure has so many meanings for me: it can mean Country & Western, it can mean The West as in the Western world, and it also reminds me of Unknown Pleasures, a Joy Division album. My Chaparelle choice of the week is track 5, Playing Diamonds Cashing Cheques. I have reason to believe that the line "four to the one to the five" is a chord progression. So it's not a cheat code to win at poker.
Save Your Soul by Kathleen Edwards
I loved the song on the first True Blood soundtrack album that Kathleen Edwards sang with John Doe. It was called The Golden State and it was wonderful. I grabbed hold of her album Asking For Flowers and I was off to the races. Her latest is Billionaire and this is on pre-order right now. Kathleen is touring in August.
Madaline Collins
Madaline is another Memphis, TN based genius. As with Raneem I am working on a longer piece about her music. It's varied. She can do such tranquil stunners as Forever Valentine but also screaming psychedelic pop rock like Pink Floyd with her band, Screamer. She's one to watch and is on tour right now!
Weekly 12
I started a rotating Weekly 12 playlist last month. I had so many great songs on my Country playlist but when it hit 50 songs and kept growing I knew that nobody would ever listen to all of it. So the idea is you keep one link and subscribe once to the Weekly 12, but the 12 songs change every week. The songs include some releases from that week and some older songs, but they are all either up-and-coming young artists or fully indie artists.
