Alice Merton
Growing up around the world, singer/songwriter Alice Merton was as influenced by other cultures as much as transience itself. Born in Germany and raised in Canada and England, Alice Merton’s absorption of different styles and sounds helped craft the worldly progressive pop leanings on her debut, which came out in 2016. As a child, she learned classical piano and singing while in Canada. When Merton was a teenager, her family moved to Germany, where she would pick up the guitar and write her first song. While in Germany, she also studied at the Mannheim conservatory of music. Later, the family would relocate again, this time to England. These frequent international shifts would play a key role in the songwriting process for her first output, 2016’s No Roots EP (Paper Plane Records International / Mom+Pop Music). The four-track effort included the groove-heavy title track and “Hit the Ground Running”. Merton won the EBBA award 2018. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi
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Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter (born February 21, 1958 in Princeton, New Jersey) is a highly successful country music singer, guitarist, and songwriter. According to Songfacts, Carpenter had a fairly privileged upper middle class upbringing. Her father was at least partly responsible for her embarking on a musical career. The song “House of Cards” was inspired by the divorce of her parents when she was sixteen.
One of her most widely known singles is “Passionate Kisses” (written by fellow singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams), a song with a rock flavor musically and lyrics listing simple desires such as “a comfortable bed”, “food to fill me up”, and “time to think”. Another big hit was “Down at the Twist and Shout“, which she performed in January 1997 at Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.
A number of Mary Chapin Carpenter’s songs speak to women, urging them on through hard times or troubled relationships. In “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her“, co-composed by Carpenter and Don Schlitz, the singer makes the case for strength and self-respect. Another common theme in her music is that of taking life at your own pace, rather than rampant goal-driven materialism, such as “The Long Way Home” from her 2001 album Time*Sex*Love, which pokes fun at a man who “retire(s) at thirty to his big-ass house next to the putting green.” The album has a relatively different feel musically, incorporating elaborate orchestra melodies, but with her characteristic lyrical depth.
Her album Between Here and Gone, was released in 2004.
Carpenter’s 2007 album, The Calling, on Rounder Records’ rock/pop imprint Zoë, features commentary about contemporary politics, a reaction to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on a track entitled “Houston,” and an incendiary track entitled “On with the Song“, dedicated to the Dixie Chicks, and addressing the visceral reaction to the trio. In less than three months after its release, The Calling sold more than 100,000 copies in the US.
Carpenter has won five Grammy Awards and is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, which she received from 1992 to 1995. On October 7, 2012, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Carpenter is a fifth cousin of the late singer and humanitarian Harry Chapin, along with his brothers Tom Chapin and Steve Chapin.
John Jennings
Long Time Guitarist, Producer,
Collaborator
John Jennings
R.I.P.Editor Note: The wonderful video of Down at the Twist and Shout was filmed at the Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, Md. Take note of both John Jennings and Pete Kennedy on guitar and the wonderful BeauSoleil. Also special because I was there.
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Dawes
Dawes is an American folk-rock band that has spent the last decade and a half serving as the primary torchbearers for the “Laurel Canyon sound.” Formed in Los Angeles in 2009 following the dissolution of the post-punk band Simon Dawes, the group transitioned into a more organic, roots-oriented aesthetic. Led by brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, the band quickly established itself as a critical darling, blending the poetic introspection of 1970s singer-songwriters with the muscular, live-performance energy of a seasoned rock ensemble. Their music is often described as timeless, evoking the ghost of Jackson Browne, the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and the gritty guitar sensibilities of Neil Young.At the heart of the band’s identity is Taylor Goldsmith’s songwriting. He is widely regarded as one of his generation’s most gifted lyricists, possessing an uncanny ability to spin conversational phrases into profound existential observations. His songs often function as short stories, populated by characters grappling with the passage of time, the nuances of modern love, and the quiet tragedies of everyday life. This narrative depth is anchored by his brother Griffin’s drumming, which is characterized by a melodic, soulful touch that provides the band’s rhythmic backbone. Together, their sibling chemistry creates a telepathic musical foundation that has remained the group’s constant through various lineup changes.The band’s discography serves as a chronicle of their evolution from retro-leaning folk-rockers to sophisticated studio craftsmen. Their debut album, North Hills, was recorded live to analog tape, capturing a warm, hazy atmosphere that felt like a rediscovered relic from 1971. As they progressed through albums like Nothing Is Wrong and Stories Don’t End, their sound expanded to include more polished production and adventurous arrangements. However, they never lost the “live in a room” feel that makes their records feel intimate and authentic. By the time they reached All Your Favorite Bands, they had solidified their status as a premiere live act, known for extended jams and a rotating setlist that rewards a dedicated, cult-like following.In recent years, Dawes has navigated a significant transition. After the departure of long-time members Wylie Gelber and Lee Pardini, the Goldsmith brothers decided to continue as a duo, a move reflected in their ninth studio album, Oh Brother (2024). This latest era emphasizes the raw connection between the two siblings, stripping back some of the auxiliary instrumentation to focus on the interplay between Taylor’s guitar and Griffin’s percussion. Despite the smaller core membership, the band continues to tour with a robust live lineup, maintaining their reputation for high-energy performances that bridge the gap between indie-folk and classic stadium rock.Ultimately, Dawes occupies a unique space in the modern musical landscape. They are a band’s band, frequently invited to back legendary artists like Jackson Browne, Robbie Robertson, and Elvis Costello. They have avoided the fleeting trends of the digital age, opting instead for a career built on craftsmanship, touring, and a deep respect for the tradition of American songwriting. For their fans, a Dawes song is more than just a melody; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities of growing up and growing older in an ever-changing world.Dawes-FB page
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Marcus King
Lead singer and guitarist for The Marcus King Band, 25-year-old Marcus King has a lot of experience under his belt despite his young age. With over a decade of performing live, King has already made a name for himself among today’s top indie artists. Not many musicians can claim to be a professional by the age of eleven! With King’s dedication to his craft, he has sought to revamp the indie music industry through his unique spin on the genre. Read on to learn more about The Marcus King band from Roaming the Arts.
Marcus King And The Early Years Of His Life
Music was a huge factor in King’s upbringing. With a four-generation legacy of musicians in the family, King seemed to be destined to leave his mark on music as well. Learning from both his father and his grandfather, Marcus King learned how to play the guitar by the tender age of just four years old. His passion for the guitar has only grown with time, prompting the design of the Marcus King Gibson ES 345, a custom vintage design inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains King called home. Talent for string instruments can be traced back to King’s great-grandfather, who was an avid fiddler. With his grandfather transitioning from fiddle to guitar, and dear ol’ dad being a professional guitarist himself, King certainly had a lot of talent to learn from.
Further Inspiration For King’s Unique Brand Of Music
Through his upbringing in Greenville, South Carolina, much of the influence for The Marcus King Band can be attributed to his hometown. The indie music artist can be described as a powerhouse combination of classic rock-n-roll blended with soul and country influences. Some inspiration for this sound can be seen from King’s father, guitarist and singer Marvin King, who is known for his own band, Marvin King and The Blues Revival. King’s grandfather lent his guitar expertise to the country scene, contributing again to the type of music King would later showcase.
Where The Marcus King Band Is Today
Alongside Marcus King (guitar and vocals), The Marcus King Band is made up of members Stephen Campbell (bass), Dean Mitchell (sax and guitar), Justin Johnson (trombone and trumpet), and Jack Ryan (drummer). The five musicians have been performing together since 2013 – That’s 8 years performing as the Marcus King Band! Their record, El Dorado, is out now and available to be enjoyed by music lovers everywhere! The group is currently located in Nashville, Tennessee, where they continue to write and perform music regularly. Concert information can be found on their website, along with all of the latest updates on The Marcus King Band.
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