The rain gods had departed and we were blessed with a few golden rays of sunshine and it was at the green hills of Eridge Park at Black Deer Festival that I caught up with Brennen Leigh the shining light of country music all the way from Texas.
Brennen started coming to these British Isles in 2012 with Noel McKay and played a whole lot of rooms, folk clubs and listeners. Brennen loves the audience in England and how they appreciate the poetry in her lyrics.
With Brennen Leigh at Black Deer Festival. Photo: Nick Barber
In Scandinavia and Europe artists are treated as exotic creatures because you really have to be an acclaimed performer to tour over this side of the world so that fans will take an interest in your music.
‘Carole with an E’ by Brennen Leigh
Brennen explains the genesis of Wonder Women of Country the supergroup with Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper. Kelly got in contact with Brennen and Melissa and asked if they would want to play together, they said yes of course and the group was born! One of my favourite tracks on their recently released EP is ‘Another Broken Heart’ a song by Kelly Willis, Bruce Robinson and Monty Warden years ago and brought the song to the the rest of the group. It’s a classic 1940’s and 1950’s.
Brennen Leigh on stage at Black Deer Festival. Photo: Nick Barber
Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Brennen Leigh. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Dani-Rae Clark and CloudwatcherUno talk together on S12 Ep 8 of the podcast. Speaking from their home in Nashville. We talk about their EP ‘Notes on A Crisis’ and especially their videos ‘Ain’t It Convenient’ with their friend Producer and Videographer Max Harms in Arizona. Originally from Vancouver, Canada they would go on tour once a year and would pass through Nashville, Tennessee and fell in love with it and they would always say they were going to move to Nashville.
During the pandemic the Canadian/American border was closed but because they have a dual citizenship, they were able to cross the border with their dog. It was a liberating moment as they packed everything they could into their very old pickup truck and just drove very slowly from North Idaho. The whole road journey took a month as they drove all the back roads.
They listen to a lot of old country, gospel and soul music and doesn’t listen that much to contemporary artists and their music. When it comes to writing a song, they aren’t sure how it happens, it’s a language that she has learnt how to use without being conscious of it. They feel strongly that songs should not have filler lyrics, each song needs to be crafted in a way that says what they feel needs to be said.
They are on tour and will be travelling to Arizona to record a new album later this month at Max Harm’s studio ‘The Garage’ and you can support them through their Kickstarter. They move around a lot as an artist so will have a band/bandmates all over the place and an absolutely fabulous performance from them and ‘The Let Downs‘ can be seen in ‘Make Me a Sinner’ filmed in Vancouver. A lot of these artists will be playing on the new album including their partner who is from Nova Scotia. The song is a Queer love song and one that challenges the hypocrisy about how women’s sexuality is demonised outside a very ladylike stereotype of marriage.
To afford to go on tour and produce the new album they have five jobs to make ends meet and make the music that brings them and us joy. When writing music, it takes them a lot of solitude so that they can give it their full attention. Lately they have been writing a lot of cheesy country duets, this included Christmas songs which they hate. Despite this they wrote a song for their favourite band ‘Big Fancy & The Shiddy Cowboys’.
They take a lot of inspiration from Tammy Wynette and George Jones and especially the classic track ‘Stand By Your Man‘. They really want to have similar solid duets in the future. Tammy and George made the saddest music of all time especially in country music. Sad music has such an important part in our lives and helps us access emotions that we aren’t able to access. Music lives in a different part of our brain than other information and the way a song can instigate a feeling that we weren’t even expecting.
To hear more from Dani-Rae Clark’s conversation with CloudwatcherUno click the audio below or listen to it on Apple Music, Spotify Music or wherever you get your podcasts from.
Cruz Contreras sits down with CloudwatcherUno to talk about Cosmico, his new album. From beginning his music career at the ripe age of fifteen, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Cruz Contreras has consistently found himself in bucket-list musical moments; from picking fiddle tunes at a house party with the father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, to a stint as the keyboardist with Barnum & Bailey Circus, to late night TV with the CCstringband, to more than a decade of topping charts and festival lineups fronting his band, The Black Lillies. Until now, though, Contreras has never branded anything with just his name.
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Cruz Contreras has roots in Tennessee and Michigan, but has impacted Americana music worldwide. The frontman, founder, and driving force behind The Black Lillies’ raw and rootsy sound also co-founded Robinella and the CCstringband, and has collaborated with musicians ranging from John Oates and Jim Lauderdale to Langhorne Slim and The Turnpike Troubadours.
Contreras shares a peek into Cosmico: the hypnotic groove and simple message of “Let Somebody Love You.” Speaking to Western adventure, broken dreams, moonshine-inspired journeys, and psychedelic realizations, “Let Somebody Love You” delivers a driving verse and grand chorus that encourages listeners to overcome their fears, whatever they may be. “The syncopated guitar riff creates a transcendental meditation that takes the listener to another plane where rock and roll and grooves make all things right,” says Contreras. A huge amalgamation of influences and personal styles from throughout Contreras’s career, “Let Somebody Love You” is the perfect track to ease fans into Cosmico.
Cruz on stage, his live performances are legendary.
Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Cruz Contreras. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
CloudwatcherUno sits down to hear the story of Rodney Rice and his love of music. It was when he reached the tender age of twelve that Rice discovered his affinity for the guitar. Armed with only a rudimentary knowledge of a few chords, he eagerly began strumming the instrument, pouring his heart and soul into his every note. Little did he know that this humble beginning would mark the inception of an extraordinary musical journey.
S11 Ep 5 of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast features Rodney Rice.
While pursuing his burgeoning music career, Rice embraced various opportunities that came his way. At one point, he ventured into the world of oil and gas rigs in the heart of Texas. Yet, even amidst the gruelling and demanding nature of this work, his passion for music persisted. It was during this time that fate intervened in the form of an enlightening conversation.
‘Little Pieces’ by Rodney Rice
Taking a leap of faith, Rice embarked on a new chapter in his musical odyssey. It was within the hallowed walls of the Congress House Studio that he brought his artistic visions to life. With every strum of his guitar and every heartfelt lyric sung, Rice weaved together an intimate tapestry of emotions, pouring his soul into the creation of his first two albums, Empty Pockets and a Troubled Mind and Same Shirt, Different Day.
Rodney Rice the singing troubadour from the oil fields of Texas to Nashville.
However, it was Rice’s third album, simply titled “Rodney Rice”, where he truly found his stride. During the challenging times of the pandemic, Rice embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery and musical exploration. Seeking a new sonic palette for his music, he decided to work with the renowned Bomb Shelter studio in Nashville.
Embracing a more analogue approach, Rice and the team at the Bomb Shelter delved into uncharted territory, experimenting with different sounds, recording techniques, and instrumentation. The result was an album that stood apart from his previous works, both in terms of its production style and its lyrical depth.
‘Get To Where I’m Going’ by Rodney Rice
With his third album, Rodney Rice has solidified his place as a rising star in the Americana music scene. His warm, gritty vocals, ingenious lyricism, and dynamic melodies continue to captivate audiences and establish him as an artist to watch. As Rice himself sums it up, “The process was more analogue, and combined with changing all the variables, it’s no surprise there is a distinct difference between this one and my first two albums.”
Rodney’s self titled third album ‘Rodney Rice’ is a sensational emotional rollercoaster
Rice knows just how to capture the fleeting glimmers of an emotional moment in life and turn them into songs that evoke our own feelings of despair and hope; loss and love. And he delivers those lyrics with a knowing nod and wink, creating memorable characters in his songs whose foibles remind us of folks we know. As he says, “Music is a common language that reaches all and brings people from worlds apart together.”
Listen in to the conversation between Rodney and CloudwatcherUno by clicking the link below. Stream the rest of the eleven seasons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Season 10 ~ Episode 6, of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast features the up and coming Donny Van Slee out on Friday 7th April 2023.
Raised in Florida but now living in Nashville, Donny is the only licensed chiropractor making his mark in the Nashville music scene.
We talk about his early years, his decision to reach out to the “World-Famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge” where after an audition they promptly hired him, through to being inspired by his peers such as Zach Bryan to explore his passion for music.
“Sip on Me” | Donny Van Slee
So come enjoy the conversation with Donny and CloudwatcherUno on @applepodcasts @spotifypodcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts or click the link below.
Malin Pettersen talks with CloudwatcherUno for S10 Ep 5 of the podcast. We hear about the inspiration that drives Malin’s music and her albums. From going to Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts , where she studied Popular Music and Sound Technology it was a great foundation for her becoming a musician. Growing up listening to Iris Dement, Gillian Welch and others drove her need to communicate through melodies, music and an outlet for her thoughts and be able to put these into her songs.
At 3 and half years Malin went to dancing school, she learnt about performing on stage but it didn’t matter if mistakes were made or lyrics forgotten. The most important thing that matters most is to go on stage, play the music together and share her songs and have fun with friends on stage. Growing up Malin found that others didn’t appreciate her need to express herself through talking and communicating her thoughts and channelled this energy into her music instead.
“Queen of the Meadow” by Malin Pettersen
Malin will be revisiting the music of her youth and Justin Timberlake, TLC, Destiny’s Child by consciously using these formative listening experiences to influence the sound of her new album. The new album is being produced and mixed as we speak and will be a departure sonically from her last album Wildhorse with R&B, Pop and other aural adventures added to her new album’s soundscape.
Malin Pettersen
Being with Die With Your Boots On Records gives Malin the freedom that she wants to express herself and would rather be playing at intimate venues so that she connects with the right people who will appreciate her music. Malin has been fortunate to meet people who have supported her through her music, be a good person who cares about others and a dedicated mother to her children. Malin acknowledge the support of her mother Bente Helenesdatter Pettersen and her partner in enabling her to pursue her dreams as an artist.
“California” by Malin Pettersen
Malin will be playing at static roots festival and The Long Road Festival and a release tour to celebrate the new album in November 2023. 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.
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.
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.
Season 9 Episode 10 Finale is with the legendary Gus Clark. We catch up with him from his home in Texas. We start the conversation talking about “Some Of My Songs” released by Gus in 2022. The album was actually all done before the pandemic and then couldn’t release the record or do anything with it and not knowing how long the pandemic would last and finally decided that he was going to put it out to the world. So it was released before Gus went out on his Spring Tour in 2022.
“Sing A Song” by Gus Clark And The Least Of His Problems
As other artists were working on new albums and new material during the pandemic Gus struggled with being creative and working on new songs. Creativity isn’t just something that you can just switch on like a tap, if the well is dry than nothing will come out. It wasn’t until 2022 that Gus decided to get back to it and flex his musical muscles and work on new music.
“You have to learn your own material. Even after playing a song 100 times it still changes”.
Photo: Connie Aramkai
You have to reach a point where you are almost sick of your songs because you’ve played them so many times but you have to get to that point where you are comfortable paying them. The experience of listening to a song changes from day to day because of how you feel. Listening to old 78’s and the arranged Nashville sound that Gus has made his own, Gus muses that there needs to be room for subtlety and improvisation and it’s interesting how a song can morph into something else when playing with different musicians from when it was originally recorded.
Photo: Connie Aramkai
Gus has been into music since his late teens, playing in punk rock bands and in his early twenties playing on the streets and hitchhiked a lot travelling to where the music he grew up on was actually born. Gus loves to connect with people and throwing himself out there and as a performer he loves it when the audience loves his songs but won’t take it to heart if they don’t.
“Go Down Swingin'” by Gus Clarke and The Least Of His Problems
Touring has changed for Gus, no longer is he sleeping rough and eating terribly. Now he’s eating alright food and sleeping in a van. Gus did 22 states in 2 months in early 2022 with the band and came to the realisation on how touring restores his faith in humanity and playing music to new rooms hundreds and thousands of miles away from home. It’s a reminder on how easy it is to connect to someone through music after being so isolated because of the pandemic.
“People do want to engage, people do want to connect and be generous in what they have to give emotionally from a heartfelt place. in true and honest support”
Gus is always wanting to engage with new people and grow his audience through touring , producing new albums and and adapting his sound so that it not only showcases the best of his talent but also all the musical influences that have shaped him as an artist. I for one am glad that Gus Clark’s musical vision is being shared with the world and would hope that listeners educate their ears by listening to a unique voice in country music.
To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Gus click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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.
CloudwatcherUno PLAY.LISTEN.ENJOY. 