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Author: Roberto Johnson

Writer. Content creator. Aspiring vinyl hoarder.

Charley Crockett – “I Can Help”

January 9, 2021January 9, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Featuring a twangy organ-laden groove, the country crooner croons taps into his soulful side to bring forth an earnest interpretation of Billy Swan's classic 1974 love song.

Acres Even – “Earl Greyson” (Music Video)

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The band channels their feel-good beach rock through playful costume arrangements and set designs that range from all-too-awkward prom pictures to quirky kitchen adventures.

Stephen Heath’s ‘Gavin Gruesome’ Embraces Chaos With Open Arms

January 2, 2021January 11, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The veteran guitarist speaks on recording his first solo album, playing guitar for Weyes Blood and other stalwart songwriters, and taking ownership of his ideas.

Patti Smith Live at Montreux Jazz Festival (2005)

December 30, 2020December 28, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The iconic poet and punk-rocker turns 74 today.

Ryan Pollie – Museum At The End of Time

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Side-stepping his usually warm and twangy aesthetic, Ryan Pollie's latest project marks a foray into the ambient realm and is accompanied by an entrancing film.

Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band – Live on The Old Grey Whistle Test (1977)

December 13, 2020April 6, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ 2 Comments

The 40-minute concert features performances of "Pancho & Lefty," "Tulsa Queen," and other country and rock classics.

Riffs & Rhymes Albums of the Year 2020

December 10, 2020December 23, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new albums that moved us most this year. Starring Blu & Exile, Colter Wall, HAIM, Jess Williamson, North Americans, Tan Cologne, and more.

Riffs & Rhymes EPs of the Year 2020

December 9, 2020December 10, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Releases that, while short in length, made bold artistic statements, splashing introductions, and exciting forays into unique sounds.

Rich Jones & Montana Macks – How do you sleep at night?

December 4, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Chi-town veterans reunite their musical partnership and heritage for a jazzy affair that confronts 2020's social turmoil from a blunt point of view.

Barry Walker Jr. – Shoulda Zenith

December 2, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On his latest solo project, the Portland pedal steel player blends New Age, psychedelia, exotica, and cosmic country while pushing the outer limits of his instrument's traditional vocabulary.

Emilee Emiko – Emilee Emiko

November 30, 2020November 29, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The singer's debut EP crafts a serene and bubbly folk-pop sound somewhere between a more rustic Mazzy Star and Jenny O.'s sensual indie-rock.

Meet Acres Even: L.A.’s Most Lovable Indie Rock Band

November 20, 2020December 23, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ 1 Comment

L.A.'s tonal dreamboats tell us about recording their first EP, creativity during the pandemic, and why they love the band dynamic.

Bedroom Country: How Matthew J. Ross Pieced Together His Dreamy Debut Album

November 11, 2020November 10, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

We chat with the Montreal-based songwriter about recording his first album, giving himself permission to write country songs, singing saws, how his church background influenced his art and more.

Gram Parsons & The Fallen Angels – “A Song For You” (Live)

November 4, 2020November 29, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Cosmic American singer and songwriter would have turned 74 today.

Kevin Morby – Sundowner

October 29, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Kansas City songwriter's sixth record is packed full of elemental guitar songs that feel warm and of the woods.

Eva B. Ross – “Jim Beam Moonbeams”

October 28, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new track is accompanied by a dreamy lyric video that lends a faded atmosphere to the song's delicate grooves.

Dex Wolfe – Lightness

October 22, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Minneapolis musician's debut EP is a culmination of several years spent honing his diverse technical skill set and embracing the ups and downs of living a creative life, overcoming personal grief, and learning self-love.

FELIVAND on Her Smooth, Immersive EP ‘Nerve’

October 16, 2020February 16, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Brisbane up and comer shares on the making of her dazzling new project, sonic influences, taking a singles-focused approach to releasing music and more.

Great Peacock Find Themselves in Top Form on Their Lustrous Third Album ‘Forever Worse Better’

October 7, 2020November 19, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

We spoke with frontman Andrew Nelson about his band's new album, drawing from personal trauma to write songs, his relationship with the road and more.

Del Square & Invisible Movement – “Memories Fade”

October 7, 2020October 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Introspective indie crooner Alejandro Juarez is back with a fresh collaboration that observes the inevitability of change.

Anne Malin – Waiting Song

October 5, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Nashville tandem's new record is a hauntingly beautiful Americana album that explores our perpetual disconnection with time in the age of coronavirus.

Esther Rose – “Thirteen”

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The stomping country-rocker is the first single from Lemondrops, a new series by Lemonade Records geared towards spotlighting independent artists.

Acres Even – Rose Gold

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Over four short tracks, the Los Angeles natives create a mixture of fast-moving instrumental beds and tender vignettes that together amount to a delightful and carefully-measured chaos.

All in a Dream: 50 Years of Neil Young’s ‘After the Gold Rush’

September 21, 2020January 26, 2022 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ 1 Comment

A personal anecdote on coming to know the iconic album and its enduring brilliance.

Pearl Charles – “What I Need”

September 15, 2020September 17, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The L.A. singer's cosmic new album 'Magic Mirror' is out January 15.

Colter Wall – Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs

September 9, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On his third album, Wall expands his increasingly deep catalog of cowboy ditties and prairie songs with another batch of high and lonesome tunes alongside his excellent honky-tonk style band.

numün – voyage au soleil

September 3, 2020September 4, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new collaborative project offers a disparate blend of cosmic soundscapes, western and eastern psychedelia, and computer music.

Annie Dressner – Coffee at the Corner Bar

September 2, 2020September 4, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The U.K. singer-songwriter's third album is unabashedly nostalgic, recalling details in a way that evokes genuine longing.

Marlowe – Marlowe 2

August 14, 2020November 12, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The second collaboration from L'Orange and Solemn Brigham is another captivating work full of laser-sharp lyricism paired with dusty and groove-centric sampling.

Inside the Songcraft of Michael McArthur’s New, Intimate Acoustic EPs

August 13, 2020November 12, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

We caught up with the Lakeland native to talk about his new releases, his entrepreneurial background, solitude as a component of creativity and more.

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