
The Music Distillery
Exploring Americana Music Through Interviews, Reviews & Essays
Written by Carol Roth, Jaclyn Nott, Sarah Morris, Jacson Miller, and other guest contributors

Single & Video Premiere: Eli Gardiner, “Justice Is a River”
The outspoken Minnesota-based singer-songwriter delivers a new song that contemplates what we want and need in dangerous times. Hear it here first!

Annual FARM Gathering Attracts Folk Artists & Industry Pros From the Midwest & Beyond
Hear from attendees about last year’s event and learn about the 2025 conference coming up in October.
About That Song: Molly Brandt
In the 79th edition of our special series, Sarah talks to the rising Minnesota alt-country artist about songs and experiences that helped shape her creative journey.

About That Song: Mother Coyote
In the 78th edition of our special series, Sarah talks to the South Dakota / Minnesota singer-songwriter about songs and experiences that helped shape her artistic journey.

Music Review: Matthew French, ‘Circles’
The Minneapolis folk singer-songwriter pours his heart into a new album that’s unafraid of big questions and vulnerability.

About That Song: Breanne Tepler of Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners
In the 77th edition of our special series on songwriting, Sarah talks to the Duluth Minnesota-based Americana artist about game-changing songs in her artistic journey.

Show Review & Photo Gallery: FINICK, Emmy Woods & Eldest Daughter at Icehouse
The Minnesota teen’s album release show was a portrait of a rapidly growing artist.
About That Song: Mary Bragg
In the 76th edition of our special series, Sarah Morris asks the Nashville-based artist and record producer about songs that shaped her music journey.

Q&A With Eli Hoehn of the Minnesota Original Music Festival
The nonprofit’s director talks about how the Southern Minnesota music project came to be and what attendees can expect at its 2025 events.

Single Premiere: Emily Haavik, “If I Were a Ghost”
The rising Americana star follows up her breakthrough album ‘Wingspan’ with a new single. Hear it first here!

About That Song: Hemma
In the 75th edition of our special series, Sarah interviews the Midwest singer-songwriter about the songs that helped make her the artist she is today.

About That Song: Karan Casey
In the 74th edition of our special interview series, Sarah talks to the Irish folk artist about the song that set her on her artistic path and her own powerful songwriting.

About That Song: The Scarlet Goodbye
In the 73rd edition of our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews two members of the Minnesota alt-rock band about the songs that inspired them to become songwriters.

Music Review: Helene Cronin, ‘Maybe New Mexico’
The consummate storyteller’s new album brilliantly weaves together small human moments to reveal big universal truths.

About That Song: Caitlin Cannon
In the 72nd edition of our special series, Sarah talks to the award-winning Tennessee-based singer-songwriter about songs that helped shape her artistic journey, including the new single off her upcoming album.

About That Song: Brent Fuqua
In the 71st edition of our special interview series, Sarah talks to the in-demand Minnesota mandolinist about the songs that set him on his artistic path and the upcoming digital release of his 2010 album “Songwriter.”

About That Song: Megan Burtt
In the 70th edition of our special series on songwriting, Sarah talks to the Colorado-based artist about influential points in her musical journey and the making of her new album.

About That Song: Dylan Hicks
In the 69th edition of our special series, Sarah talks to the Minnesota-based experimental multigenre musician, writer, and frontman of the band Dylan Hicks & Small Screens about his own music as well as game-changing influences on his musical journey.

Music Review: Larry & Joe, ‘Manos Panamericanos’
On their new album, virtuosic multi-instrumentalists Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas to prove that music has no borders.

Midwest’s Dylan Salfer Band Wins Big at International Blues Challenge in Memphis
The local guitar prodigy and his band brought home two prestigious prizes from the annual contest.