Howdy Friends! 🤠

Today, we're shaking things up with a special crossover episode. The Alt-Country Show and Ambient Country podcast have teamed up to introduce you to a genre that might be flying under your radar. But fear not, we've got the lowdown on all things Alt-Country and Ambient Country in today's handpicked mix, curated by the one-and-only Stelth Ulvang (Heavy Gus, The Lumineers).

Joining us on the podcast is none other than Bob Holmes, the brains behind Ambient Country and the vibes of SUSS. Together, they're here to guide you through a musical journey that's bound to uncover some hidden gems.

🎶 Our mission? To help you discover new artists that'll have you hitting repeat. Show some love by snagging an album, grabbing merch, or even catching a live show – let's support these fantastic musicians!

🎧 So kick back, relax, and soak in the good vibes. Today's mix is your ticket to uncovering fresh sounds and maybe stumbling upon your new favorite artist. Enjoy the tunes!

Emily chats with Indianna Hale about her new album, Yesterday's Glitter, which is out now on Perpetual Doom.

Indianna's co-producer Jason Cirimele also joins in on the chat and the two discuss their collaboration on this record, as well as their many additional musical projects.

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Yesterday’s Glitter, a new record from San Francisco’s Indianna Hale features indie rock in the vein of Cate Le Bon, Faye Webster, and Cass McCombs and draws from 1950s torch-pop icons like Patsy Cline, the songs on Yesterday’s Glitter come wrapped in A.M.-era gauze. It's classic Indianna Hale —the perfect fusion of Marty Robbins and Liz Phair you never knew you needed.  

The twelve tracks on Yesterday's Glitter resonate with vintage timbre but they also cut with a twenty-first century urgency. Lead Single “I Can’t Talk To You” lightly teases a lover for being too self centered, while the melodic bass and chimey guitar weave a counterpoint that almost tells a story of its own. “Nothing you can say to a person with a broken heart,” she sings. “Nothing you can hear when the song in your head’s too country.” The album's second single, "Hollow the Words," is sonically peppy and lilting, but finds clouds behind its silver lining. "It was tragically beautiful being with you," Hale sings. She describes the song, inspired by the transience of San Francisco, as "a love song to my friend family." It's emblematic of an album whose rumbling bass and soaring vocals are always pretty, but never simple.

Hale describes recording Yesterday's Glitter as a serendipitous process of "electric collaboration" alongside producer and guitar player Jason Cirimele. "While tracking 'The Tighter the Grip,' Jason said 'You know what this song needs?' To which I replied, 'Fuzz bass chords on the chorus!' He said 'That’s exactly what I was going to say!'" Over the course of three years, the pair brought in friends and bandmates to create the record’s rich sound, including Brian Bethel on bass and Rob Mills (Spooky Mansion) and Cody Rhodes (Geographer, Curls) on drums. On Yesterday’s Glitter, mid-century country pop stylings get fitted with fuzzy guitars and filtered through a curtain of dreamy Casio nostalgia to create an album you’ll have on repeat.

Philip Bowen chats with Emily about his upcoming debut album, Old Kanawha, his journey on America's Got Talent, growing his TikTok following to over 1 million followers, and the difference between the violin and the fiddle.

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Philip Bowen is a massively talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a sound that uplifts the soul and is inspired by his Appalachian roots. He’s performed at iconic venues like The Bluebird Cafe and 3rd & Lindsley, and even graced the stage of NPR’s Mountain Stage. In May he was the featured guest on Us & Them by West Virginia Public Broadcasting where they discussed how the 38-year-old learned classical violin as well as how to improvise on the fiddle, combining musical styles and genres.

After completing his MBA at the University of Tampa, Bowen was encouraged by a friend to create a TikTok account to showcase his fiddle covers and original songs. The rest, as they say, is history. With his infectious positivity and musical talent, Bowen caught the attention of artists like Brandon Davis, Noah Kahan, Spinmont, Styles Haury, Jenna Paulette, Josiah & the Bonnevilles, and many others, earning him over 100 credits as a session fiddle player. 

Old Kanawha is a musical journey that takes you from the peaks of happiness to the depths of despair, all while celebrating the beauty and resilience of Appalachia and West Virginia. It’s not just about catchy melodies and clever lyrics, it’s about the universal human experience of navigating the ups and downs of life. Bowen draws inspiration from his own life, from the carefree days of college to the unexpected responsibilities of fatherhood and a draining corporate job. He tackles some tough topics head-on, from addiction to recovery to loss. He wants his music to be a beacon of light for anyone going through a difficult time, reminding them that things can and will get better. And don’t expect a one-dimensional portrayal of his home state. Bowen understands that Appalachia and West Virginia are often misunderstood and misrepresented. That’s why he weaves in themes and imagery that celebrate the beauty and strength of the region, while also shining a light on the struggles and hardships faced by its people.

Bowen was dead set on capturing the essence of West Virginia, so he made it a mission to recruit the most talented musicians from the area. With a WV-based producer and a team of incredible players, they hunkered down at the McCord House Studios in Bridgeport, WV. He met producer Zach McCord, through his buddy Charles Wesley Godwin, who he has worked with in the past. Godwin shows up on the title track to help with vocals. They spent about a week in the studio, days turning into nights turning into days just felt like a blur. The chemistry was on point, the music was flowing, and the vibe was just right.

The songs on the record were written between 2019 and 2023, with some dating back to the Fall of 2019 when Bowen finally decided to give music one more serious attempt before giving up on the dream. Two of the songs, “Vampire in Appalachia” and “A Murder,” took the longest to write and were finished just before the last day of recording. The songs were written in various locations including West Virginia, Detroit, Nashville, and the Oregon Coast.