Category Archives: nashville

americana, country, Country and Western, Honky Tonk, Kansas, Kentucky, nashville, Natalie Prauser, Red Dirt Country

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 Ep 4 ~ Natalie Prauser

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Natalie Prauser is a coffee aficionado, songstress and all round fabulous artist. We laugh, gasp and sit back in wonder on how this Kansas native is bringing her honky tonk music to life. Natalie’s album “Til The Sun Comes Up” is a veritable modern classic with all credit to her partner Marty Bush for mixing, producing and mastering the album. Let’s not forget also designing the look of the masterpiece as well.

“Til The Sun Comes Up” by Natalie Prauser

Natalie and Marty first met during Pre Covid times while Natalie was sleeping at a bar that Marty frequented. Plying him copious amounts of whiskey Natalie was determined to connect with Marty and that’s exactly what happened. The result is a relationship that has grown personally and professionally as musicians. There’s a to and fro of ideas and it’s a resource that Natalie draws upon Marty’s musical experience to decide which songs are EPIC and which are so so.

Natalie’s approach to songs varies but there was a time when she wrote “Cocaine” all on her phone while being a bouncer at Westport Saloon in Kansas City. Just imagine a 100 pound Natalie as a bouncer. Natalie’s mom recollects that as a child she was always writing songs and then at 13 she started playing at bars. For Natalie this was one of many paths that she could take, having dropped out of school, when Natalie was 16 she drove everywhere and slept in her car and be on the road as much as her finances would allow.

Natalie Prauser and Marty Bush

Natalie was living the vagabond existence and felt you don’t have to be Charley Crockett to live the life of a musician. Natalie’s musical heroes have been Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine and Blaze Foley.

For the future Natalie will be on tour with Marty and will be enjoying the writing process and produce another Cabin Session album. There will be another video to showcase her music and will continue to be touring across the States for the next year.

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

americana, country, Country and Western, Honky Tonk, Jack Browning, nashville, UK Country

CloudwatcherUno S10 Ep 3 ~ Jack Browning

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CloudwatcherUno catches up with Jack Browning at his headline gig at the honkiest tonkiest bar in London @thedukesofhighgate Speaking with Jack just after his epic show (which features songs from his new album) we get to hear about the progress on recording the album, mixing and final overdubs on his songs. Jack has always played in other bands but when Covid came around he started focusing on his own personal songs.

Jack had struggled to write his own songs and then gave himself a deadline to write an EP’s worth of songs but ended up writing 10 songs. He then recorded them with a live band in Kent. Then Pat Lyons who plays with Colter Wall and other artists have added their magic to bring these songs to life. Jack is trying to bring that full band experience onto a live stage. The plan is to send the album around to see if there is any interest.

Jack has released singles/music before such as “Walkin’ Man” which Jack had recorded in his art studio. It was a strange feeling to be a leading man rather than a session player. Jack has always been into music and has leaned more into country music as he gets older. The album is a milestone for Jack as an artist as he reflects on his life.

“Walkin’ Man” by Jack Browning

Jack is a fan of country first and foremost and wants to capture the energy of this music and channel it into the album. Johnny Cash and The Highwayman, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Charley Crockett and Colter Wall have all influenced Jack and his music.

Jack will be playing live on 23rd July 2023 in Peterborough at thewillowfestival.co.uk Make sure you catch him live on stage.

To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Jack click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts

21st Century Folk, americana, Angela Autumn, bluegrass, country, Country and Western, Dance Hall, nashville

CloudwatcherUno Podcast Season 10 – Ep 1 ~ Angela Autumn

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After getting her iced coffee from Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea, LLC in East Nashville, Angela Autumn sat down with CloudwatcherUno for this first episode of Season 10. We talk about the last time that Angela had recorded which was with a full band sound. There is a yearning to leave the bluegrass sound of her “Frontiers Woman” album and channel more of an indie sound some of which can be heard on “My Blank Pages” but is being explored more in 2023. Angela is waiting for the right place to record her new album in this musical direction.

In our opinion one of the best songs that Angela has recorded is “Rascal”, which began life as an entry into the NPR Tiny Desk Competition in 2018 while she was 22 with her friends. Angela is really grateful for the support from Andy of Gems On VHS fame and Western AF and the way that they support indie artists.

“Your Heart’s Like An Arrow Pointed Straight At Me“

For Angela the pandemic showed her that there were many things under the surface, Living north of Nashville. In Old Hickory her neighbours were all of the older generation and so there was a sense of isolation and produced music through these times such as “Dancer”. Angela was someone who lived through the Dark night of the soul camp. Sharon Van Etten’s music is something that gives Angela joy and when live music came back, Angela was there to experience the thrill of her music.

Photo: Anna Warner

Angela talks us through her collection of guitars from a Martins to a Collings E28 Bluegrass guitar and has written over 50 songs on this beauty. Angela’s album “Blank Pages” is currently a Bandcamp exclusive but there may be a possibility of giving it a second life on Spotify. Angela put in a significant amount of funds in Fall 2022 to release this record, thankfully fans stepped up and covered the costs of producing this album. It’s definitely Adventure Time for 2023 as Angela looks forward to touring and producing music with her partner who plays the cello! Now that’s going to be an amazing collaboration on the next album.

To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Angela click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

nashville, Pop, Pop Music, Songbird

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 8 ~ FAÏNN

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S9 Ep 8 is out Friday 16th December 2022 featuring @fainnmusic We chat with Nashville based indie-pop singer/songwriter, Faïnn, who released her fabulosouros pop ballad, “Sometimes” on 7th October a fantastic example of this genre of music.

It was a grrrrreat talk with Faïnn about her life and musical influences. Faïnn’s impressive vocals showcase her fantastic talent. Such a wonderful soul. Make sure to pre-save Faïnns latest upcoming release “Baby Please Come Home” out this Friday (16/12/2022) as well.

Faïnn focuses on dreamy production aesthetics with soulful vocals. She has been described as, “a skilled lyricist and vocalist who has shown time and time again that she has what it takes to become a leading voice within the genre” (I KNOW A WOMAN Official).

“Sometimes” by Faïnn

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

american, americana, bluegrass, Country and Western, Dance Hall, Honky Tonk, Montana, Music Row, nashville, Red Dirt Country

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 7 ~ Sterling Drake

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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.

country, Country and Western, nashville, Songbird

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 3 ~ Alyssa Bonagura

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Alyssa Bonagura chats with CloudwatcherUno about her life as a travelling gypsy touring from a very young age, being an in demand session singer and opening for international music legends Ringo Starr, Marty Stuart and Rod Stewart. Alyssa recently played to a sold out show at The Slaughtered Lamb in London.

We catch up with Alyssa while working on her music for her new album in London and performing at shows across Europe. We talk about her life growing up in Tennessee raised by parents who had hits on the Billboard charts as leaders of the country band Baillie & the Boys. Alyssa was grew up on the road travelling with her parents on tour across America.

The travelling gypsy Alyssa Bonagura

Alyssa has been in love with music from such a young age that it was written in the stars that she would become a musician. Alyssa’s love of music found her relocating to England to study sound technology at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. When she graduated in 2009, she received her diploma from the school’s co-founder, Sir Paul McCartney.

“I Make My Own Sunshine” by Alyssa Bonagura

Alyssa’s voice and skill as a multi instrumentalist having learnt to play piano, guitar, mandolin, bass and drums are showcased in her albums “The English Diaries”, “Love Hard” and “Road Less Traveled”. Alyssa’s time in Liverpool, England has greatly influenced her as an artist, singer and songwriter. Alyssa’s songs have been covered by artists such as Steven Tyler, has co-written many other hits and landing singles with Jana Kramer, Sarah Jarosz , and Jo Dee Messina.

Alyssa also spent time as one half of The Sisterhood Band, a major-label country duo whose whirlwind career included two EPs, critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, and a run of UK stadium shows as Rod Stewart’s opening act. Alyssa’s talent is in no doubt and now she is concentrating on her own solo career. With four singles released between 2021 and 2022 Alyssa’s latest single “Other Side Of The World” showcases her exceptional qualities as an artist.

Alyssa will be recording a special performance for Nashville Meets London live at Pizza Express, Holborn on Monday 7th November 2022. Enjoy our conversation on the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Humbird. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

alabama, americana, bluegrass, country, Country and Western, Dee White, nashville

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S8 Ep 7 ~ Dee White

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Dee White talks with CloudwatcherUno in his first ever podcast so that we can hear his story thus far in the world of country music. We also have a live exclusive acoustic performance of his new song “Little Things” on his 000-28 Martin Guitar.

Dee White ~ A truly sensational, singer, lyricist and guitarist.

After touring with Paul Cauthen earlier on in the year Dee came back to Alabama to chat on the podcast. Our conversation starts right at the beginning when Dee’s father sold an antique to Harold Shedd who had recently moved out to central Alabama from Nashville. Dee (a senior at the time) helped his father deliver the antique and saw all the vinyl and gold records that Harold was unpacking and did what any curious youngster would and googled Harold and found out he was a music man. Little did Dee realise how much of an influence this southern gentleman would have on his life and his career.

“Ol ‘ Muddy River” by Dee White

Harold overheard that Dee played at church and had his guitars restrung and a seed of an idea gets planted in his head. After a few months an old buddy of Harold’s from the music industry visited to see his new place and asked Dee to play out of the blue and Dee travelled with his grandfather to Harold’s place. Once there Harold said to Dee to play any song he liked and Dee sang Hank William’s “Lost Highway“.

Dee White performed “Lost Highway” by Hank Williams for Harold Shedd and the rest as they say is history.

After this initial performance, Harold would continue to validate Dee as a singer and lyricist and encourage him to write as many songs as he could. Then on one snowy morning in Nashville, Harold drove Dee to meet David R. Ferguson at The Sutler Saloon David would later co-produce Dee’s first album Southern Gentleman . After lunch Dee went to Easy Eye Sound and met the legendary producer Dan Auerbach . All of this happened on the same day. Dan asked Dee to play a song which He did an original composition called “Voodoo“. After Dee finished singing all of these music men looked at each other and knew that Dee was the real deal. Not too long after that work began on the “Southern Gentleman” album.

“Wherever You Go” by Dee White

Since then Dee has made his debut on The Grand Ole Opry and collaborated with Ashley McBryde , Molly Tuttle , Alison Krauss and Brit Taylor . Dee has been on tour all over the world with Ashley McBryde, Molly Tuttle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Alan Jackson and Marcus King Band

“Road That Goes Both Ways” by Dee White (feat Ashley McBryde)

Dee is now in the studio finishing his sophomore album which has been recorded live so as to capture the most authentic analogue experience. Dee is thrilled to bring new music to fans and is looking forward to touring across the United States and especially across Europe to promote the new album when it comes out.

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

americana, bluegrass, blues, country, Country and Western, Honky Tonk, nashville, Red Dirt Country

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S8 Ep 6 ~ Kristina Murray

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Kristina Murray sits down with CloudwatcherUno in her Nashville home to talk about her albums “Southern Ambrosia” and “Unravelin” and the latest project of killer covers featuring Logan Ledger “That Just About Does It” (a Vern Gosdin classic) and “I’m Gonna Hurt Him On The Radio” (based on Keith Whitley‘s original).

“I’m Gonna Hurt Him On The Radio” by Kristina Murray

We talk about Kristina’s development as an artist between her first album and the new songs that she has released, how she has become a better songwriter, collaborator with other producers and musicians and working on her new songs for her new album.

Kristina Murray has grown and developed as an artist since moving to Nashville.

Kristina got a chance to sing at The Ryman recently and felt really good at how her voice sounded, and is looking forward to going on tour with Jamie Wyatt in 2022, a true champion of great country music on the west coast.

Kristina is a kick ass musician. Go do your ears a favour and listen to her music.

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

https://linktr.ee/CloudwatcherUno

americana, Arkansas, bluegrass, blues, Canada, country, Country and Western, Music Row, nashville, Red Dirt Country, texas country, Western Swing

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S8 Ep 5 ~ Stefanie Joyce

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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.

americana, bluegrass, Blues Music, country, Country and Western, Dance Hall, Dirt Wave, Honky Tonk, Music Row, nashville, Red Dirt Country

Artist Showcase with Cristina Vane

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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.