The Music Distillery
Exploring Americana Music Through Interviews, Reviews & Essays
Written by Carol Roth, Sarah Morris, Doyle Turner, Christine Davis, and other guest contributors
Music Review: Boots & Needles
The self-titled debut EP from this charming Minnesota duo is like a candy sampler, with tantalizing tastes of what’s to come.
Music Review: Russell James’ ‘Feel Your Pain’
Native American indie-folk singer songwriter Russell James’ fourth album dives down into struggles with autism, depression, and trauma but also provides space to explore vulnerability, pain, and transcendence.
Music Review: Land at Last, ‘Windbound’
Minnesota superduo Jake Ilika and Mike Munson join forces on a new, surprisingly multilayered EP.
Music Review: Anthony St. James, ‘Songs of Anthony St. James’
The Pennsylvania folk singer-songwriter’s debut album is a vivid collection of working-class story songs about his native state.
Music Review: Mark Ross & the Three-Nineteen, ‘The Unreal Deal’
The southern Minnesota band’s debut album delivers punchy, story-driven Americana alt-rock.
Music Review: Riddy Arman
This weathered and wise debut album from newcomer Riddy Arman delivers a kind of rich, contemplative sound that evokes the classic country from decades past, full of story and gentle power.
Music Review: The Younger Brothers, ‘Hanging on July’
The retro folk-pop duo is back with a second release—a harmony-drenched EP of pure bliss.
Music Review: Barbaro, ‘Under the Covers’
The Minnesota neo-bluegrass outfit charms with a quirky benefit EP of covers for a good cause.
Music Review: Self-Titled Album from Buffalo Nichols
The debut album from this fascinating singer-songwriter is a stunning first glimpse at his talent and a tantalizing promise of more to come.
Music Review: Brother Galen’s On the Way
Self-proclaimed “street country troubadour” Brother Galen’s newly released album is a surprising and welcome escape into an enchanted forest of Americana you didn’t know you needed.
Music Review: Wolf Willow, ‘Old Guitars & Shooting Stars’
The Saskatchewan countrypolitan band’s latest album is a swanky retro delight.
Music Review: Leon Timbo, ‘Lovers & Fools’
On his new EP, the versatile roots artist adds country and folk to his already-rich blended sound, broadening the big tent of Americana in the process.
Music Review & Artist Interview: Humbird’s Still Life
Local singer-songwriter Humbird’s upcoming sophomore album, Still Life, is an experimental Nordic-synth-folk meditation on healing and building for each of our bruised and battered souls.
Music Review: Maygen & The Birdwatcher, ‘Moonshine’
The unlikely pair’s first full-length album highlights their individual and collective talents in a wide but fluid range of Americana sounds.
Music review: Anders Jörnesten, ‘Man on the Run’
The Swedish singer-songwriter’s love of country—along with some other unusual influences—shines through on his spare, haunting debut EP.
Exclusive: The Sapsuckers to announce a monthly residency at Palmer’s Bar in Minneapolis
You heard it here first! The Minneapolis winter forecast just got brighter thanks to an exciting upcoming announcement from Wisconsin-based country duo The Sapsuckers!
Show Review: El Drifte, Slim Stone, and Thelma & the Sleaze at the Hook and Ladder
Three stellar acts each delivered their distinct blend of country and rock at this high-energy Minneapolis show.
Artist Interview: Q&A with j.bell
The frontman of Minnesota roots rockers j.bell and the Lazy Susan Band talks about their album Unreliable Witness and upcoming release show—an unusual quadruple bill.
Music Review: Eric Harrison, ‘Good Intentions’
The New Jersey-based Americana artist has fun paying homage to his influences while staying true to his heartfelt vision on a new EP.
Music Review: Shannon Clark & the Sugar’s Marks on the Wall
This family trio from Ohio explore loss, grief, and healing in their newly released album Marks on the Wall, saturated with a truly Americana blend of country, blues, and indie-rock.