In a few sentences, tell us about your journey as a performing artist and how you found yourself playing at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge this year.
I began playing music the summer after my freshman year of college in Farmville, VA. After college I moved to Richmond with the hopes of becoming a professional musician. I hadn’t even really written any songs at that point, but I felt so called to this life. After recording and releasing my first tracks, I received a fair amount of buzz early on in the East Coast folk music scene and the national acoustic blues scene.
Fast forward nearly 10 years to my Golden Country era: I wanted to give more context to the original music that I make and found myself having a great time playing music with the Virginia Bluegrass supergroup Devil’s Coattails. After one performance together, I asked if they would record an album with me. A few months later, Golden Country: Volume 1 was born. From there, I got a call from Amy Alvey at WMOT asking me to come to the showcase at Dee’s. I had never met Amy before, but we had all these connections in common. The show at Dee’s was one of my favorites of the week. I’m so glad I agreed to perform!
In this present moment, what does the term ‘Americana’ mean to you? Do you see it as a limiting or expansive term? Is the work of playing Americana music an act of mythologizing this nation and its people or demystifying them? Or both?
I feel that the term ‘Americana’ allows me to incorporate aspects of all of my favorite types of American music into my releases without it sounding out of place. It’s really the perfect umbrella term for my music, but also gives me to opportunity to highlight the history and culture of region styles of blues. So for me it’s quite an expansive term.
As a literary publication, Nashville Review is focused on publishing the best poetry & prose that lands in our submission piles. How has written literature played a role in evolving your work as a songwriter? As a performer? Do you have a special relationship with any author or their work?
Outside of my favorite songwriters, I have a deep love of folklore, mythology and mysteries. I eagerly consume as much of this content as I can get my hands on/have time to read.
What’s an influence on your music that even a die-hard fan might find surprising? This could be another musical artist or genre, a hobby of yours, a unique experience, etc.
I grew up listening to all different types of music and still actively listen to new genres to find new inspiration. 90s Grunge, Early 2000s rock and emo, Motown.
What’s one question you always hope an interviewer will ask you about your artistry? What’s your answer?
I always hope someone will ask me “What’s next in the pipeline for you?”
Next up, I have just started pre-productions for Golden Country: Volume 3 with Trey Hall from Devil’s Coattails. We’re hoping to get that record out in early-mid winter.
I also have been working on an all-original gourd banjo record that I plan to release in January or February of 2025!
I like to stay busy and keep pushing myself as an artist as much I can or until it’s no longer fun for me! Right now, music is one of the most rewarding things in my life and I can’t get enough of it.
Can you share a Spotify link to your favorite song played during your set at Dee’s?