Howdy! That there was a traditional American greeting as I welcome you to a very special National Final, celebrating modern Americana artists and the music they make. What exactly is Americana music I hear you ask, and why do you often describe songs that sound like country or folk for instance with that label? Americana is contemporary, usually (although not limited to) American music incorporating elements from multiple roots genres. Be it Country, folk, rock & roll, rhythm & blues, bluegrass or gospel. It's an earthy mix of influences that blend together, creating songs that sound often worlds apart from how the genres they take from sound in their purest forms. And so let's get this thing going, shall we!?
The Avett Brothers kicking things off here with a touching song from the 2016 release, True Sadness. I first heard of this band through a beautiful Elliott Smith covers album that Seth Avett made with Jessica Lea Mayfield.
No Hard Feelings Is a song about letting go of what's been dragging you back, carrying on without the baggage and seeing the beauty that's there. I love the way this one builds and how bold and full of life it gets.
Gillian Welch is next up with a haunting little number from her 2011 record, The Harrow & The Harvest.
Dark Turn of Mind offers a warm, comforting embrace whilst being oh so very melancholy. Gillian performs with her musical partner David Rawlings, and has said "by and large I listen to people who are dead. I'm really of the tried-and-true school. I let 50 years go by and see what's really relevant." She's truly after my own heart there.
Aaron Lee Tasjan returns to WorldVision. He's one of my Americana faves and so far you've seen him once at the game with
My Camera, and a couple of other times in national finals that I've held.
Little Movies was the glittering cowboy's lead single from one of my favourite albums of 2016, Silver Tears. When I think of Americana, Aaron usually comes straight to mind as he's such a mix of stuff: country, rock & roll, folk, blues and even travelling in some psychedelic directions.
Valerie June arrives
Just In Time with this stunning piece from her 2017 release, The Order Of Time. Such a distinct voice that twangs its beauty all over this lush, majestic ode to the most special kind of lover. I've been a fan of her music for quite some time so it surprises me how it's taken me almost six years to share Valerie with you, but better late than never I guess.
Father John Misty wants revenge! After quite a cruel miss where luck very much wasn't on his side with the draw, I'm sharing with you here possibly my favourite Father John Misty song, and the one that's been high up on my list to send for years.
Bored In The USA is an achingly beautiful and yet scathing piece taken from Misty's 2015 album, I Love You, Honeybear. When that laugh track hits I don't know whether to howl along with it or cry.
Alela Diane is a lady you might have seen earlier on in the year if you voted in that random NF I held.
Ether & Wood, a song from 2018's Cusp, was what I almost shared the first time with you, and it gets its chance now. It's a beautiful and warm piece. Alela said of it: “‘Ether & Wood’ is a reflection on the different lives that are lived within a lifetime. The doors along the way that often open and close without notice. I live in a very old house, and love thinking about all the people who lived and died within these walls. We’re all in there: the former selves, the lost loves, and the mysterious ones who came before.”
Kurt Vile is back and here he lives out his dream of performing with his hero and Americana legend,
John Prine, who very sadly passed away earlier this year. Kurt described this recording of
How Lucky with John as "probably the single most special musical moment in my life.” The slacker rocker released his latest, Speed, Sound, Lonely KV (ep) just last week, and I've had this song that Prine first recorded in 1979 on repeat. When they sing together at the end, aw man
Margo Price is one of the hottest talents in Americana right now. In 2020 she released her latest record, That's How The Rumors Get Started, but during the pandemic she has been revisting some of these songs and giving them new versions. Cue
I'd Die For You the synthphonic version, baby! Heard this about a month ago and was like "oh gosh, oh gosh" and then noticed she'd even gone and made a music video for it as I was putting together this selection of songs, and went "oh gosh, oh gosh" all over again and had to slam it down right here for you.
DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT BEFORE THE LAST DAY OF ENTRY SUBMISSIONS FOR NEXT EDITION. You may use half numbers if you like. There's a handy recap video to see if there's anything here for you that's gonna make it worth diving into this one. I hope you at least find a song or two
(or eight) to enjoy here. I'm as passionate about this stuff as I am about garage rock so I'm really excited to share this NF with you. I've had it planned for a very long time. Thank you for listening