Category Archives: Music Row

Behind The Song with Adam Shoenfeld

Adam Schoenfeld and CloudwatcherUno talk about the inspiration behind his latest single ‘Breadcrumbs of Hope’.

During the unprecedented times of the pandemic, when the world seemed uncertain and anxiety loomed over our daily lives, a song was born. This soulful melody was crafted with heartfelt emotions, aiming to bring solace and hope to listeners within the confines of their homes. Its lyrics gently remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the power of music can transcend physical boundaries, uplifting our spirits in times of darkness.

As the hauntingly beautiful notes resonate, they carry with them a message of resilience and unity, a call to endure and persevere. The poignant lyrics mirror the feelings of isolation and longing that many experienced during those strange and anxious times, creating an emotional connection with the listeners.

‘Breadcrumbs of Hope’ by Adam Shoenfeld

The song’s composition artfully blends melancholy and optimism, with heartfelt vocals evoking a sense of shared vulnerability and strength. Its captivating melody weaves a tapestry of emotions, transporting the listener to a realm where worries dissipate and optimism flourishes.

In the face of uncertainty, this song serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find solace and comfort through the universal language of music. It whispers softly to our souls, reminding us that amidst the chaos, there is still beauty to be found, and that together, we can emerge stronger.

So, let this song be a companion during those moments of uncertainty, as it resonates with our collective experiences and reminds us that we are not alone. May its melody bring calmness to your heart and inspire you to navigate through any challenges that lie ahead, for as the song softly fades, a glimmer of hope remains, illuminating our path towards a brighter future.

Behind The Song‘ is available on Monday 11th September 2023 to listen on @applepodcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Adam Schoenfeld. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S11 Ep 2 ~ Stacy Antonel

CloudwatcherUno catches up with Stacy at Maison Bertaux in London’s Soho. Over tea and cake we talk about Stacy’s recent UK tour, especially her gig at Green Note Music and her previous alter ego ‘Ginger Cowgirl’ We explore her latest album “Always The Outsider” and two of those tracks you can listen to in the podcast ‘Planetary Heartache’ and ‘Always The Outsider’.

CloudwatcherUno S11 Ep2 with Stacy Antonel

Stacy moved from San Diego to Nashville to get closer to Music City and in 2019 Stacy released her first self titled EP. Stacy talks about the pressure for artists to produce music to the algorithm’s of the music industry and how Stacy has carved her own musical identity as a modern retro country artist with her distinctive jazzy vocals. One of the stand out tracks is “Nashville”.

Stacy Antonel a kick ass retro country loving artist

Stacy, a talented singer-songwriter, made the bold decision to leave her sunny hometown of San Diego and set her sights on Nashville, the renowned Music City. With dreams of immersing herself in the vibrant country music scene, Stacy was eager to pursue her passion and become a part of the rich musical heritage of the city.

In 2019, after years of hard work, dedication, and honing her craft, Stacy proudly released her highly anticipated, self-titled EP “Ginger Cowgirl”. This project not only showcased her exceptional song writing skills but also captured her unique style and artistry. Each track on the EP revealed Stacy’s vocal prowess, creating a captivating blend of modern retro country music.

“Always The Outsider” by Stacy Antonel

One particular standout from the EP was “Nashville,” a heartfelt tribute to the city that had embraced Stacy with open arms. Through her poignant lyrics and captivating melodies, she painted a vivid picture of her experiences, the joys, and challenges she encountered on her journey to Nashville.

Stacy Antonel brings an outsiders perspective to the Nashville music scene.

One of the most striking aspects of Stacy’s music is her unwavering commitment to staying true to her artistic vision. In an era where artists often feel pressured to conform to the algorithms and trends dictated by the music industry, Stacy courageously carved her own path. Inspired by the timeless sounds of classic country and jazz, she fearlessly blended genres, creating a sound that was uniquely her own.

The name of Stacy’s latest album came out from her experiences as an artist, and looking at life on earth from an outside perspective and in a literal sense moving to Nashville not knowing anybody was hard, people relate to ‘Always The Outsider’ as they feel alienated in their day to day lives. ‘Kicking And Screaming’ is another stand out track that needs to be on your music radar.

Stacy Antonel is definitely an artist to have on your music radar.

As Stacy continues to make her mark in the Nashville music scene, one thing is clear – her passion for music and commitment to excellence are unwavering. With her distinctive style and undeniable talent, Stacy is poised to make a lasting impact on the country music landscape, captivating audiences far and wide with her soulful, modern retro sound.

“Planetary Heartache” by Stacy Antonel

So, grab a seat, turn up the volume, and let the enchanting melodies of Stacy’s music transport you to the heart of Nashville, where dreams are woven into heartfelt lyrics and catchy rhythms. Click the link below to listen to the episode and stream the rest of the eleven seasons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 7 ~ Sterling Drake

Season 9 Episode 7 features returning guest Sterling Drake an ambassador for new independent music who navigates being an artist in these modern musical times. Sterling released ‘Roll The Dice’ his first EP to much critical acclaim and wanted to try a different direction for his next EP “Highway 200”. Sterling is a three-time Billboard charting songwriter with work released via publishing powerhouse Extreme Music (Sony ATV) and has written with several Grammy award winning writers.

‘Roll The Dice’ by Sterling Drake

We also talk about working on a ranch in Montana, becoming a small part of the TV series @yellowstone and his fellow musical brethren @sierraelizabethferrell and @hannahjuanita_thehardliner

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Then we also chat about what is the perfect length for a record, does that depend on the genre? Also Sterling’s plans for touring across the States and producing new music and deciding which direction that will take him. The future is not written and a path needs to be dug out by Sterling as to how his career will go forward. To that end Sterling will release EPs and singles in different styles so as to get a body of work together. Only when this is done will Sterling consider releasing an album in order to solidify his approach to this genre.

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Sterling Drake plays timeless country music following in the footsteps of Bob Wills, Merle Haggard and George Strait. Sterling doesn’t put a label on his music, for him it’s just music that has a cultural heritage. Sterling’s peers such Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are breaking from the perceived notion of what country music should sound like and Sterling is also breaking the mould when it comes to this style of country music.

‘In The Pines’ by Sterling Drake

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Sterling Drake. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast Season 8 Finale ~ Ep 10 ~ Jonathan Terrell

This is the CloudwatcherUno S8 Finale ~ Episode 10 with Jonathan Terrell and it’s a fantastic way to end the current season. JT is the ultimate renaissance artist he’s a cosmic cowboy, singer songwriter, film director, photographer and DJ.

“I Know” by Jonathan Terrell

We talk about his upcoming EP, “A Couple 2, 3,” his singles “Better For You” and “I Know”. His signing with Range Records @range.records Sharing his experiences touring with Midland most recently in Europe. When Jonathan’s not doing a million and one creative things all at the same time he’s finding time to playing golf with @markaroo (lead singer of Midland) and the one and only Arkansas troubadour @dylanearl.music

Photo: Mike Dunn

The EP comes out on September 9th 2022 although the final mix was done in January of this year. JT is excited to get this music out to the world. It’s a big step forward musically from his previous albums “Trails & Stimulation” (2008), “Past The Lights Of Town” (2015) and “Westward” (2020). JT never wants to put out the same album twice and takes inspiration from some of his favourite bands who stayed ahead of the curve and make new sounds to engage the audience.

Photo: CloudwatcherUno

JT is always looking to constantly refresh his music continuously to inspire his music and art and keep it all fresh. JT says that music is his forte and it was only after speaking to another artist who said that he needed to have other artistic endeavours such as photography. So he practised for over 3 years with his camera in hand taking photographs on the road and at his DJ residency. JT’s passion allows his creativity to stretch himself as a artist and musician.

Photo: Neil Perry

We talk about what it means to be a musician in this day and age when singers become Tik Tok famous but it doesn’t translate to the real world of live gigs and touring that traditional artists have gone through as a right of passage into the world of music.

Photo: CloudwatcherUno

JT’s next single release from the EP is “Texas” co-written with Jess Carson from Midland Then JT will be on tour with William Clark Green in September 2022 and will be promoting the EP and the singles out on the road.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring JT. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S8 Ep 5 ~ Stefanie Joyce

Stefanie Joyce joins CloudwatcherUno from Nashville where she has carved out a career as a songwriter on Music Row. Stefanie’s 2021 single “Treasure” charted on Billboard @billboardcharts (co-written and performed by @maryheatherhickman ) debuted on country radio and was featured on the Bobby Bones show @bobbybonesshow

Stefanie Joyce – Ballerina, Wordsmith and Country Artist

Now it’s Stefanie’s turn to shine in the spotlight as a singer in her own right. Just listen to her latest single “Presidio” to see why Stefanie should be at the top of your listening playlist. Stefanie describes her music as the love child of red dirt country music meets music row. Stefanie describes how working on Music Row for so many years has resulted in her lyrics being born as linear songs but then using that to produce something more poetic and rough for listening audiences.

Idle Hands” by Stefanie Joyce

Born in New York, raised in Canada and now living in Nashville, Tennessee, the young Stefanie was in love with storytelling, especially southern literature and used that passion to write songs. In the podcast we talk about how in the country music coming out of Nashville songs are written not by the band performing them but by other artists or in collaboration with other artists. It’s a tradition that is uniquely cultivated within this genre.

Singer Songwriter is a music nerd of the highest order.

Stefanie moved to Nashville initially to join the song writing industry that has grown in Nashville and provides the hits for the biggest names in country music today. Stefanie built up her network and her community and now feels it’s time to release her own songs. A new EP will be released in the summer featuring “Idle Hands” and “Love Thy Neighbor“.

Stefanie is 100 per cent Country through and through.

We talk about her interest in murder ballads and how she came to co-write “Ouachita River” with Mary Heather Hickman and how this subverts the usual tradition by having a male protagonist perish within the song. Murder Ballads originated within the United Kingdom and were brought over by Scottish/Irish immigrants who then used real places within their ballads. This song has been nominated for the Arkansas Country Music Awards 2022 for Best Song, Vocal Duo/ Group and Mary for best Female Vocalist. Nominees (arkansasmusic.org)

Ouachita River” by Stefanie Joyce with Mary Heather Hickman

Stefanie explains that she wants to be able to play for bigger venues and audiences and when that opportunity comes she’s going to grab it with both hands. Stefanie has played both The Listening Room and Bluebird Cafe and will be doing more Nashville shows and a tour in The Fall of 2022.

Watch out for Stefanie touring in the Fall of 2022

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Stefanie Joyce. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Artist Showcase with Cristina Vane

Cristina Vane’s new album ‘Nowhere Sounds Lovely’, took two years for it to come out before fans could listen to her country and western music sound. In this podcast with CloudwatcherUno we get to talk about her experience of touring while writing the songs for the album, moving from Los Angeles to Nashville and then getting Rodney Dawson and Cactus Moser to mix and produce this amazing album.

‘Travelin’ Blues’ by Cristina Vane
Cristina Vane photo by Alex Skelton

Cristine is very much influenced by traditional country music brings with it a modern sensibility That captures the experience in all its ups and downs of being a travelling musician and not having a home or a homeland and that uncertainty brings its own friction and is captured not only in the songs of this album but the mood of the album itself.

‘Prayer For the Blind’ by Cristina Vane

While studying at Princeton it didn’t really seem like a possibility for Christina to pursue a music but then after graduating she gave her whole heart and soul to becoming a singer songwriter and to take her songs across the United States. Pete Steinberg became a mentor of sorts for the young Cristina Vane and he inspired her from giving guitar this lessons, encouragement and support as he could see the potential within another human being to produce passionate music that connects with other souls.

Cristina Vane photo by Aleks Zagozda

For Cristina to sing the words that she is written down on paper and that she is kept for his songs and produce music for fans that is her favourite thing to have achieved as an artist. Songs can be very traditional verse chorus verse chorus bridge but what’s most important for her is to convey a message something I can connect with other people to lift their spirits. For the future Christina plans to tour over the summer and then to get back into the studio to begin recording album number two.

‘Badlands’ by Cristina Vane.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Cristina Vane. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Cristina Vane from the podcast. Photo by CloudwatcherUno.