Garrett T Capps
About the artist: Space cowboy Garrett T. Capps and his band NASA Country have just released their latestalbum, “Everyone is Everyone.” While many grapple with a world gone mad, Garrett and hisband focus on what unites people: music. By blending space-rock with roots folk, underground with mainstream, and various culturalelements, they dissolve societal divides effortlessly through music. Garrett transcends genresand stereotypes, embodying the true spirit of a cowboy—free, visionary, and bound only by hisdesire for a better world. Their new album merges roots, country, folk, and modern influences like Krautrock, creating ajoyous, label-defying sound. NASA Country, a group of San Antonio musicians, brings togetherdiverse talents, making “Everyone is Everyone” a life-affirming musical journey. The album,released via Spaceflight Records, is a testament to Garrett’s expansive vision and San Antonio’srich cultural heritage.
Jenny Don’t And The Spurs
About the artist Jenny Don’t and the Spurs have been carving their own path in Country Western music for over a dozen years. Known for their high-energy performances and captivating stage presence, the band has built a global following with three albums, an EP, and nine singles. Their 2021 LP, Fire on the Ridge, expanded their reach, taking them on international tours and solidifying their presence in the country music scene. Their latest release, Broken Hearted Blue, set to debut on June 14th, 2024, continues their momentum with 10 tracks that blend the essence of the Northwest’s music scene with the nostalgic feel of the Western frontier. The album opens with “Flyin’ High,” a high-octane track that merges the band’s garage-rock roots with their distinct Western style, setting the tone for a standout record. Jenny Don’t, known for her rebellious spirit, channels the authentic outlaw vibe in songs like “Pain in My Heart” and “One More Night,” reminiscent of country legends like Johnny Paycheck and George Jones. Born in New Mexico and raised in Washington, Jenny’s songwriting is shaped by the contrasting landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the Southwestern desert. The title track, “Broken Hearted Blue,” showcases her haunting vocals and Christopher March’s guitar work, echoing the desert night sky. The album also marks a new chapter for the band with the debut of drummer Buddy Weeks, following the loss of longtime drummer Sam Henry in 2022. Instead of slowing down, the band pushed forward, honoring Sam’s legacy and bringing fresh energy with Weeks’ inclusion. The song “Bones in the Sand” captures this experience, blending dark and luminous textures to reflect their journey. Produced by Collin Hegna, Broken Hearted Blue is a testament to the band’s dedication to authenticity and creativity. With tracks like “Sidewinder” and “Unlucky Love,” the album showcases a variety of styles while maintaining its Western charm, much like the rhinestones on their custom outfits, handcrafted by Jenny herself. This album shines as a true reflection of the band’s evolution and commitment to their craft.
Todd Day Wait w/ Hunter Peebles & Lorna Kay
About the artist: Todd Day Wait is one of the last real American Workhorse, pedal to the metal, Troubadours by way of Missouri, to California, to New Orleans and now Nashville. The original material of Todd Day Wait, is highly influenced by early American folk, country and blues music from the 1920’s through the 1960’s, embodying the spirit and authenticity of traditional American music. Todd Day Wait, whomst you may have heard of from his millions of spins on GemsOnVHS or WesternAF writes and performs his own style of timeless country music. Harking back to Jimmie Rodgers, Willie Nelson, Wynn Stewart and Kris Kristofferson he keeps the spirit of country music alive. In 2009 he put all his earthly belongings on the curb and hit the road, in his diesel shuttle bus fueled by vegetable oil, for a never ending tour. From busking the streets of New Orleans, to playing in the shadow of European castles, to lighting up the honky-tonk dance floors in Nashville, Todd keeps it 60/50.
American Aquarium
About the artist: For nearly two decades, American Aquarium have pushed toward that rare form of rock-and-roll that’s revelatory in every sense. “For us the sweet spot is when you’ve got a rock band that makes you scream along to every word, and it’s not until you’re coming down at three a.m. that you realize those words are saying something real about your life,” says frontman BJ Barham. “That’s what made us fall in love with music in the first place, and that’s the goal in everything we do.” On their new album The Fear of Standing Still, the North Carolina-bred band embody that dynamic with more intensity than ever before, endlessly matching their gritty breed of country-rock with Barham’s bravest and most incisive songwriting to date. As he reflects on matters both personal and sociocultural—e.g., the complexity of Southern identity, the intersection of generational trauma and the dismantling of reproductive rights—American Aquarium instill every moment of The Fear of Standing Still with equal parts unbridled spirit and illuminating empathy.
Dylan Wheeler w/ Rhett Embry
About the artist: The “Broke Ass Kid” Dylan Wheeler exemplifies the evolution of the Texas Independent Music Scene. With singer-songwriter depth that lyric lovers crave and a unique blend of Rock and Alternative influences, his music feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly innovative in a scene often rooted in Country traditions. Add in a powerful voice shaped by influences like Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, and Layne Staley, and it’s clear why Wheeler is a standout. His genre-defying sound has the broad appeal that turns dreams into reality, and though his journey is just beginning, his future looks incredibly bright. Hailing from Edgewood, Texas, Dylan cut his teeth playing dive bars across the state, following in the footsteps of many East Texas legends. However, he set himself apart by building a loyal fanbase early on, even before releasing any official music. Posting acoustic videos of originals and covers on social media, such as a viral rendition of “Strawberry Wine” in 2017, he reached a wide audience and caught a glimpse of his potential. By the time he released his debut EP Tell Me If I’m Wrong in late 2018, the anticipation was palpable. The EP quickly amassed tens of thousands of streams, marking the beginning of his musical career. In 2019, Dylan quit his job in the Oil & Gas industry to pursue music full-time. From that point, his career took off—playing bigger shows, making trips to Nashville to write and record, and releasing music that reflected his artistic growth. Each new release showcased another layer of his talent, earning him more fans and deepening the connection with his existing audience. In just a few years, Dylan has gone from acoustic videos gaining thousands of views to racking up tens of millions of streams across platforms. He’s transitioned from tiny dive bars to selling out major venues across Texas and beyond. For Dylan Wheeler, this is just the beginning, and as he puts it, “the sky is the limit.” Not bad for a “broke-ass kid beating on his guitar.
Tyler Halverson w/ Kenney Feidler
About the artist: Born and raised in the tiny town of Canton, SD (pop. 3054), Tyler Halverson isn’t just any cowboy. He’s got the hat and the boots, but he also plays a mean guitar and writes an even meaner tune. He has no problem bouncing around the country chasing adventure (or a girl), and is telling his different kind of cowboy tale with his self-described “Amerijuana Music,” bridging honest storytelling with songcraft inspired by country powerhouses Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Hayes Carll as much as Boyz II Men, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used. Halverson fell in thrall to music at an early age, receiving his first guitar while in middle school. A local bluegrass festival convinced him to focus on music, throwing down at 4H and FFA festivals before heading to Nashville to attend the prestigious Belmont University. Upon graduation, he decided to hit the road and spent an extended run traveling around South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming, all the while writing and playing his songs on social media. Halverson’s original approach caught fire with a string of independent releases including “Beer Garden Baby,” “Mac Miller,” and “Your Bar Now” (with Kylie Frey), amassing tens of millions of streams. Now, with his Atlantic Records debut single “Her” and more to come, Tyler Halverson is eager to take the next step on what has already proven an amazing journey. “I’m finding myself,” says Halverson. “I feel like I’m an artist and I’m finally about to do something.”
Ben Nichols w/ Oliver Peck & Joe Bassa
About the artist Bikeriders Tour is a chance for a couple of old friends, Lucero lead singer Ben Nichols and tattoo artist Oliver Peck, to hit the road doing what they love… riding motorcycles around the country, singing songs, and tattooing. In each city, Oliver does tattoos at local shops during the day and each night Ben plays an acoustic solo show at a nearby venue, with Oliver acting as host and MC. Ben did the first Bikeriders Tour by himself in 2011, riding his ‘07 BMW R1200GS. The following year Oliver and a handful of other tattooers joined on their Harleys and since then they’ve carved out a week or two each year to travel together. Music, motorcycles, tattoos, and good times. This year renowned Cleveland tattoo artist Greg Christian will be coming along as well. Simpson Motorcycle Helmets was kind enough to sponsor the tour, providing motorcycle helmets to be raffled off each night, with the money raised going to American Core, a nonprofit involved in veterans mental health. The tour is named after a Lucero song called “The Bikeriders” which was based on Danny Lyon’s famous book of photographs from the ‘60’s. The book inspired the song and the song inspired the tour. Ben still rides the same bike he started the tour on in 2011
Kaitlin Butts w/ Ken Pomeroy
About the artist: A truly one-of-a-kind artist, Kaitlin Butts has a deep affinity for country music’s more theatrical side: the extravagant storytelling, dazzling showmanship, and songs embedded with both unbridled emotion and quick-fire humor. After discovering her passion for performing as a little girl, the Tulsa native later brought her boundless energy and radiant voice to her own unapologetic yet soulful songwriting. When it came time to create her third album, the Nashville-based musician leaned into her lifelong love of musical theater and dreamed up a modern-day reimagining of the soundtrack to her all-time favorite musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! The result: a high-concept but candidly autobiographical LP called Roadrunner!, whose 17 powerhouse songs show the full force and extraordinary depth of Butts’ artistry for the very first time. “Every summer when I was a kid my parents would take me to see a performance of Oklahoma! at a local amphitheater, and I’ve felt such a strong connection to it my entire life,” says Butts, who first conceptualized Roadrunner! during a pandemic rewatching of the film with her husband, Flatland Cavalry frontman Cleto Cordero. “It’s a love story but there’s also a murder and a little bit of an acid-trippy feel to it at times; it’s set in the same place where I come from. Once I got the idea for this album I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before, and it turned into something that completely encompasses who I am and what I love.” Produced by Oran Thornton (Brent Cobb, Logan Brill), Roadrunner! marks a major tonal shift from Butts’ 2022 sophomore LP What Else Can She Do, a character-driven exploration of complex matters like addiction, domestic violence, and generational trauma. “With the last album I wanted to write about the struggles I’d seen people go through or experienced myself, so a lot of the songs had a sadness or darkness to them,” she says. “I feel like Roadrunner! is much closer to what I’m like onstage, where there’s real emotion and truth but also humor and a tendency to poke fun. It’s all those different versions of me at once.” Made with A-list musicians like multi-instrumentalists Russ Pahl (Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves) and Lex Price (Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum), Roadrunner! ultimately matches that multidimensionality with a lush and fiery sound informed by Butts’ eclectic influences (outlaw country, strong-minded country-pop, timeless rock-and-roll, and more). As Butts reveals, the making of Roadrunner! served as an essential milestone in her journey as an artist, allowing for the fullest expression yet of the larger-than-life vision she’s long brought to her work (e.g., her cinematic videos, high-wattage stage presence, exquisitely curated costumes reflecting her fondness for sequins and fringe). “Some artists get up onstage in their T-shirts and jeans and do their thing, but what comes naturally to me is the drama and going that extra mile to try to create an immersive experience,” she says. “The more I pull from my musical-theater background, the more emboldened I am. Making this album showed me that little ideas can grow and take on a life of their own, and it’s so exciting to know that sticking with my vision can lead to something bigger than I ever even imagined.”
Erin Viancourt w/ Karen Choi
About the artist: Full-hearted, free-spirited, and irresistibly genuine, Erin Viancourt’s take on country music is both timeless and entirely attuned to the chaos of modern life. On her debut album Won’t Die This Way, the Cleveland-bred singer/songwriter/ guitarist brings her lived-in storytelling to a gritty but gorgeously detailed batch of songs, encompassing everything from Americana to Western swing to classic outlaw country. Rooted in the warm and radiant vocal presence she’s shown onstage in touring arenas with Cody Jinks (who recently made Viancourt the first signing to his Late August Records), Won’t Die This Way ultimately reveals her rare capacity to soothe the soul and leave the listener newly empowered to live each day to the absolute fullest.
American Aquarium w/ Justin Bloss
About the artist: For nearly two decades, American Aquarium have pushed toward that rare form of rock-and-roll that’s revelatory in every sense. “For us the sweet spot is when you’ve got a rock band that makes you scream along to every word, and it’s not until you’re coming down at three a.m. that you realize those words are saying something real about your life,” says frontman BJ Barham. “That’s what made us fall in love with music in the first place, and that’s the goal in everything we do.” On their new album The Fear of Standing Still, the North Carolina-bred band embody that dynamic with more intensity than ever before, endlessly matching their gritty breed of country-rock with Barham’s bravest and most incisive songwriting to date. As he reflects on matters both personal and sociocultural—e.g., the complexity of Southern identity, the intersection of generational trauma and the dismantling of reproductive rights—American Aquarium instill every moment of The Fear of Standing Still with equal parts unbridled spirit and illuminating empathy.
