Category: Neotraditional Country

INTERVIEW: Music PEI’s “Entertainer of the Year” Lawrence Maxwell Discusses His Artistry, Benefit Fund for Touring PEI Musicians and Upcoming Ontario Tour

Calling the small province of PEI home is award-winning singer-songwriter, Lawrence Maxwell.

For those who are unfamiliar with Maxwell and his artistry, his lyrical style is self-described as “blue-collar poetry,” paired with an instrumental blend and sound that draws upon bluegrass, folk, Canadiana and neotraditional country. His latest album, Ballad of the Miles, earned 7 nominations at the 2023 Music PEI Awards. This year, he took home the title of Music PEI’s “Entertainer of the Year”. In addition, his music has received support from both Canadian and UK country radio.

His pursuit of music began in high school, where he would write raps. After graduating, he served in the Canadian Royal Navy, which led to his first public performances.

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Q & A: Neotraditional Country Singer-Songwriter Taylor Glasheen Discusses Her Brand-New Single, “When She Drinks” and Her Upcoming Sophomore Album

Today, Phoenix-born neotraditional country singer-songwriter Taylor Glasheen has released her brand-new single, “When She Drinks” in honour of Pride Month. The single also comes ahead of her upcoming sophomore album, which will be out later this year.

Recently, I spoke with Glasheen about her artistry, her latest single, her upcoming album and more.

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Q & A: Vinnie Paolizzi Discusses his Debut Self-Titled Album, The Vinnie Paolizzi LP, the Importance of Honest Storytelling and Embracing Community

Calling Nashville, TN home is Italian-American singer-songwriter, Vinnie Paolizzi.

For those unfamiliar with the singer-songwriter, he has over a decade of songwriting experience to his name, has been the guitarist for American country star, Brittney Spencer and has shared a songwriting round with none other than Dean Dillon. In November of last year, the singer-songwriter released his self-titled, debut full-length album, The Vinnie Paolizzi LP– a 10-track project that introduces him and pays homage to the old Music Row.

Recently, I spoke with Paolizzi about how he got his start in music, his debut record and more.

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REVIEW: ERNEST’S FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): TWO DOZEN ROSES

Following up on the success of his 2022 album, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM), Big Loud’s country star ERNEST released FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): Two Dozen Roses. Released in the month of love, the 2023 album features 13 brand-new songs that weren’t included in its predecessor. Vivid imagery and poetic lyricism are found throughout the 24-track project, highlighting his strength as a songwriter. So it comes as no surprise he had songs cut by artists such as Chris Lane, Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett prior to pursuing his solo career as a singer-songwriter.

In addition, country instrumentals and soothing vocals make this an album you can easily listen to from start to finish and not tire of. Devout music lovers will also appreciate its narrative structure.

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REVIEW: Zandi Holup Makes Her Big Loud Debut with “Gas Station Flowers”

One of Big Loud’s latest signed artists/songwriters, Zandi Holup, is a refreshing new face in the country music scene.​

Growing up in a musical family, the Pennsylvania transplant and now Nashville resident is no stranger to the music industry. In pursuit of her passion, she began sharing her unreleased, original songs on social media (“Mountain Man” & “I Don’t Like Myself in Love” put her music on the map for me) and amassed a collective online fanbase of 500K+. Also an avid songwriter, “she’s written over 150 songs in the past few years—with her first independent release, “Wait for You” topping the Spotify “Fresh Finds” playlist” (PR team). It was these ongoing efforts and consistently putting her authentic self out there that eventually led to her signing with Big Loud. Her debut release under the label comes as “Gas Station Flowers”– a track that paints a vivid portrait of what it feels like to settle in a relationship.

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Q & A: Chase Morgan Discusses New Single, “Home to Me”

Hailing from High River, Alberta, is country singer/songwriter, Chase Morgan. 

This past July, he released his latest single, “Home to Me,”– a contemporary country track that speaks to the importance of the small things (or people) that make home what it is.

Recently, I spoke with Chase about his start in country music, his latest single and more.

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