The Mastersons – Birds Fly South
Texans turned Brooklynites husband/wife multi-instrumentalists Chris Masterson (Son Volt) and Eleanor Whitmore (Regina Spektor) have…read more→
Sigur Rós – Valtari
Icelandic minimalist post-rockers Sigur Rós have released Valtari, their first new studio album in four…read more→
La Sera – See The Light
Vivian Girls bassist/vocalist Katy Goodman recently released her second solo album as La Sera, Sees…read more→
Caleb Groh – Bottomless Coffee
Boston singer/songwriter Caleb Groh released a new full length of indie folk, Bottomless Coffee. Groh…read more→
Mystery Jets – Radlands
Recently there has been a rash of British bands recording Americana sounds like folk rockers…read more→
Turnpike Troubadours – Goodbye Normal Street
Oklahoma based five piece Turnpike Troubadours are out with their third album of country Goodbye…read more→
Horse Feathers – Cynic’s New Year
Cynic’s New Year is the follow-up to Horse Feathers’ 2010 album of revival and renewed…read more→
Tu Fawning – A Monument
Tu Fawning is Joe Haege and Corrina Repp, two longtime Portland, OR music pros and…read more→
The Satin Chaps – Might I Suggest The Satin Chaps
The Satin Chaps are a compendium of Portland, OR talents comprised of members from The…read more→
King Tuff – King Tuff
Following 2008’s limited release Was Dead, King Tuff (a.k.a. Kyle Thomas) is out with his…read more→
Dent May – Do Things
Mississippi native Dent May cast aside his main instrument – the uekele made famous in…read more→
Daniel Rossen – Silent Hour / Golden Mile
Brooklyn songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Rossen recently debuted his solo EP Silent Hour/Golden Mile. Best…read more→
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Now Here’s My Plan
The brilliant and prolific Will Oldham is at it again, this time releasing both a…read more→
Lindsay Fuller – You, Anniversary
Alabama native and PNW based singer-songwriter Lindsay Fuller has released her third album You, Anniversary…read more→
Cory Branan – Mutt
Cory Branan’s third album (and first on Bloodshot Records) is a real Americana gem. The…read more→
Langhorne Slim and The Law – Way We Move
Folk troubadour Langhorne Slim and his band The Law return with their newest full-length The…read more→
Hurray for the Riff Raff – Look Out Mama
New Orleans based indie folk act Hurray for the Riff Raff is out with their…read more→
Gospel Music – How To Get to Heaven From Jacksonville, Florida
Gospel Music, a side project of Owen Holmes of Black Kids, have released their first…read more→
Sonny and The Sunsets – Longtime Companion
Sonny & the Sunsets, fronted by San Francisco playwright/songsmith/troubadour Sonny Smith, have previously blended 50’s,…read more→
Glen Hansard – Rhythm and Repose
Glen Hansard, frontman of the Irish band The Frames and half of the Academy Award…read more→
The Two Man Gentlemen Band – Two at a Time
The Two Man Gentleman Band – a.k.a. Andy Bean (tenor guitar) and Fuller Condon (upright…read more→
Paul Simon – Graceland
Graceland, the phenomenally successful and well loved experimental studio album by Paul Simon is being…read more→
The Tallest Man on Earth – There’s No Leaving Now
Swedish singer-songwriter Tallest Man on Earth (a.k.a. Kristian Matsson) released one of my favorite and…read more→
Petunia and The Vipers – Petunia and The Vipers
Based on the name alone one would expect that Petunia and The Vipers are a…read more→
Joe Pug – The Great Despiser
While the Nation of Heat EP made Joe Pug a talent to watch, and debut…read more→
Guy Capecelatro III – North For The Winter
So his name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, “Guy Capecelatro III”, but this accomplished…read more→
Bhi Bhiman – Bhiman
San Francisco based singer-songwriter Bhi Bhiman is winning over critics and audiences with his authentic…read more→
Eamon McGrath – Young Canadians
Young Toronto based folk/punk-rock musician Eamon McGrath has issued his third official release, Young Canadians.…read more→
Midtown Dickens – Home
Durham, North Carolina post-folk band Midtown Dickens began as a duo of multi-instrumentalists Catherine Edgerton…read more→
Jeremy Benson – Darksongs 2
Jeremy Benson, a longtime member of one of my favorite indie folk rock bands, the…read more→
These United States – These United States
East Coast band These United States will soon release their eponymously titled fifth studio album…read more→
Patrick Watson – Adventures in Your Own Backyard
Adventures In Your Own Backyard is the latest masterpiece by the relatively little-known Canadian singer-songwriter…read more→
Billy Bragg and Wilco – Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions
This past Record Store Day saw the release of the highly anticipated final volume in…read more→
The Calumet Reel – The Calumet Reel
Bloomington, Indiana band The Calumet Reel bring a charming kind of heartland country rock with…read more→
Matt Jones and The Reconstruction – Half Poison, Half Pure
Ann Arbor troubadour Matt Jones is joined by bandmates The Reconstruction on his third self-released…read more→
River Whyless – A Stone, A Leaf, An Unfound Door
Asheville NC band River Whyless is a quartet that formed while studying at Appalachian State…read more→
Kim Janssen – Ancient Crime
Dutch musician Kim Janssen is young and ambitious, as his second solo endeavor, Ancient Crime,…read more→
Denison Witmer – The Ones Who Wait
Pennsylvania based indie singer/songwriter Denison Witmer has released his ninth studio album The Ones Who…read more→
Mariee Sioux – Gift for the End
Folk singer/songwriter Mariee Sioux recently released her fourth album Gift for the End in Europe…read more→
K Phillips – American Girls
Austin, TX’s latest rising country-rock star is K. Phillips, and his debut solo album American…read more→
M. Ward – A Wasteland Companion
Record Dept. is a longtime fan of M. Ward in his many incarnations: solo artist,…read more→
John Fullbright – From The Ground Up
Oklahoma singer-songwriter John Fullbright follows-up his debut album Live at the Blue Door with his…read more→
JBM – Stray Ashes
Singer-songwriter and classically trained guitarist JBM (Jesse Brian Marchant) is somewhat of a geographic nomad,…read more→
The Spinto Band – Shy Pursuit
The name The Spinto Band may not be familiar to many, but this hard working…read more→
Shannon Stephens – Pull It Together
Following the success of Shannon Stephens’ second solo effort, The Breadwinner, Asthmatic Kitty is issuing…read more→
The Dandy Warhols – This Machine
Portland, OR band The Dandy Warhols is a mainstay on the indie scene, and following…read more→
Beach House – Bloom
Baltimore-based dream-pop band Beach House’s fourth album is Bloom, which expands on the band’s warm…read more→
Baobab – Baobab
Durham, NC duo Baobab – Phil Torres (vocals, multi-instrumental) and Whitney Trettien (piano) – have…read more→
Willis Earl Beal – Acousmatic Sorcery
Chicago singer/songwriter/musician Willis Earl Beal believes in himself, and unapologetically so. The self-taught musician, whose…read more→
Father John Misty – Fear Fun
2011 was a year of significant change for J. Tillman, finding the Seattleite quitting his…read more→
Jack White – Blunderbuss
One of Nashville’s most prolific and successful collaborators is finally out with his first solo…read more→
Dry The River – Shallow Bed
Dry the River, a London based five-piece, follows-up their 2011 EP 2011’s Weights and Measures…read more→
Of Monsters And Men – My Head Is An Animal
This Icelandic indie-folk six piece made a splash in 2010 winning the country’s battle of…read more→
Bro. Stephen – Baptist Girls
Bro. Stephen is the moniker of Scott Kirkpatrick (formerly of the indie rock band Chemic)…read more→
Carolina Chocolate Drops – Leaving Eden
Since the 2010 release of Genuine Negro Jig, great things happened for the Carolina Chocolate…read more→
Andrew Bird – Break It Yourself
Break It Yourself, the sixth solo full-length from Chicago musician Andrew Bird, finds the singer/songwriter/violinist…read more→
Ramsey Midwood – Larry Buys A Lighter
Ramsey Midwood’s debut album Shoot Out at the OK Chinese Restaurant was released over a…read more→
The Shins – Port of Morrow
I’ve been a devoted fan of The Shins since their debut Oh, Inverted World –…read more→
Tyler Butler – Winter King
Edmonton, Alberta songwriter Tyler Butler has re-mastered and re-released his full-length, Winter King on Yer…read more→
Trampled by Turtles – Stars and Satellites
Duluth, Minnesota bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles’ sixth album, Stars and Satellites, finds the acoustic…read more→
Yellow Ostrich – Strange Land
Yellow Ostrich has grown from a one-man operation (frontman Alex Schaaf ) known for blending…read more→
Sons Of Fathers – Sons Of Fathers
Austin, TX based Sons of Fathers are the founding duo of David Beck and Paul…read more→
John Goraj – Seen And Unseen
South Dakota native and L.A. based singer/songwriter John Goraj has released his indelibly lovely indie…read more→
Alex Chilton – Free Again: The 1970 Sessions
He was best known as co-founder of power-pop band Big Star, but as a teen…read more→
Jackstraw – Sunday Never Comes
Portland, OR based five-piece stringband Jackstraw is out with their sixth acoustic album, Sunday Never…read more→
Lost In The Trees – A Church That Fits Our Needs
From the tragic wreckage of suicide comes the hauntingly beautiful and unforgettable sophomore album of…read more→
Delta Spirit – Delta Spirit
SoCal multi-instrumentalists Delta Spirit have released their spectacular eponymously titled third album on Rounder Records,…read more→
Yukon Blonde – Tiger Talk
In contrast to their self-titled debut which featured an eclectic brand of 60’s-inspired psychedelic indie…read more→
Yarn – Almost Home
Brooklyn based alt-country/roots rock band Yarn recently self-released their fourth album funded by a Kickstarter…read more→
Grand and Noble – Grand and Noble
Making their first foray into the alt-country/indie-rock scene is Chicago four-piece Grand and Noble, and…read more→
Lower Dens – Nootropics
Following the release of their debut Twin-Hand Movement, Lower Dens hit the road for a…read more→
Damien Jurado – Maraqopa
Seattle based singer/songwriter Damien Jurado has found his musical partner in singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Richard Swift. Following…read more→
Diamond Rugs – Diamond Rugs
This supergroup/collaboration unites the mighty talents of members of Deer Tick, Dead Confederate, Black Lips,…read more→
Bahamas – Barchords
Shortly before I left for SXSW 2012, I came across Bahamas’ sophomore release of chilled…read more→
Great Lake Swimmers – New Wild Everywhere
Toronto’s Great Lake Swimmers follow-up their Polaris Prize and Juno nominated 2009 album “Lost Channels”…read more→
Elfin Saddle – Devastates
Together Emi Honda and Jordan McKenzie are Elfin Saddle, and their third full-length Devastates is…read more→
Neal Casal – Sweeten The Distance
THE ROYAL POTATO FAMILY Neal Casal may not be as famous as some of his…read more→
Kevin Gordon – Gloryland
Louisiana native and acclaimed East Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon’s new full-length release Gloryland is an…read more→
The Wooden Sky – Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun
Toronto based alt-country/roots rock band The Wooden Sky are out with their third release, Every…read more→
Justin Townes Earle – Nothings Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now
Following 2010’s award winning Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle is releasing his fourth solo…read more→
Eric Chenaux – Guitar and Voice
Eric Chenaux’s fourth solo album Guitar & Voice is not typical of the work Record…read more→
SXSW BANDS TO WATCH | 2012 According to the official South by Southwest Music…read more→
Record Dept at SXSW
RECORD DEPT AT SXSW Due to participation in SXSW 2012, Record Dept will not be…read more→
Sugar and The Hi-lows – Sugar and The Hi-lows
Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs are Sugar + the Hi-Lows, a retro Nashville, TN based…read more→
Lee Bains III and The Glory Fires – There is a Bomb in Gilead
Lee Bains III, formerly of the Southern rock band The Dexateens, is releasing his debut…read more→
Marissa Nadler – The Sister
Boston painter turned singer/songwriter Marissa Nadler follows-up her self-titled album of psych/neo folk songs with…read more→
Danny and The Champions of the World – Hearts and Arrows
The appeal of Americana transcends geography, and longtime musician – Londoner Danny Wilson – has…read more→
Lake Forest – Silver Skies
Silver Skies is the debut solo full-length album of Toronto singer-songwriter/guitarist Will Whitwham. Between Wilderness…read more→
Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames – New Multitudes
This July marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary American folk singer-songwriter Woody…read more→
Buxton – Nothing Here Seems Strange
Hailing from Houston, TX is the sextet Buxton and their third album (and first on…read more→
The Lumineers – The Lumineers
The Lumineers have had a long, rough road but they are finally on their way…read more→
John K. Samson – Provincial
John K. Samson – best known as the founder of the indie rock outfit The…read more→
Jim White – Where It Hits You
Where It Hits You, the latest full length album from Athens, GA based songwriter/ folk…read more→
Fred Eaglesmith – 6 Volts
Ontario-based singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith is out with his nineteenth album of striking alt-country, 6 Volts.…read more→
Mirel Wagner – Mirel Wagner
Singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner’s unique background makes wonderful copy, but it is her stunning and sparse…read more→
Fanfarlo – Rooms Filled With Light
London-based collective Fanfarlo mixes folk with orchestrated indie pop, and their new album Rooms Filled…read more→
Whitehorse – Whitehorse
The marriage of Canadian indie rockers Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet is one made in…read more→
Our Orthodox – We Are Not The Only Ones
Our Orthodox is the indie folk rock recording project of Neal Harris along with Jens…read more→
Lincoln Durham – The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones
Following 2010’s self titled EP, Texan Lincoln Durham is out with his excellent full length…read more→
PUNCH BROTHERS | WHO’S FEELING YOUNG NOW? NONESUCH New York’s Punch Brothers are a virtuosic…read more→