On today's episode, Emily is joined by guest co-host Nathan K. to chat with Nashville-based artist Shlomo Franklin. They discuss his new album, 'Most People Are Lonely,' his experiences touring, his ultra-Orthodox Jewish upbringing, leaving his community to pursue music, and much more. Shlomo is a beautiful human, and that truly shines through in this interview and on his new album.

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Shlomo Franklin's musical identity began taking shape in upstate New York, where he led a sheltered life within a Hasidic Jewish community. Immersed in the study of Yiddish and the Torah at an ultra-Orthodox religious school, he also spent time farming, tending to cows and fields near the historic Woodstock festival site. Isolated from television, radio, pop culture, and the outside world, Shlomo found himself pushing boundaries, dreaming, and yearning for more.

Shlomo's music and lyrics are poetic and refined yet straightforward and relatable. His voice, rich with depth and experience, expresses raw honesty and emotion, making each song intimate and unforgettable. There is a delicate balance of hopefulness and melancholy in every note he sings.

His latest album, Most People Are Lonely, is a testament to his journey. The 24-track album, recorded mostly live, captures a warm, authentic feel and showcases Shlomo's versatility while maintaining a cohesive sound. The title track, heartfelt and accessible, echoes the universal search for connection.

Shlomo's path to music was marked by moments of quiet rebellion. Despite his insulated upbringing, clandestine encounters with Bob Dylan's music alongside his father and fleeting notes from car radios sparked his passion. At 16, Shlomo left his ultra-Orthodox community to pursue life outside. His journey from the strict confines of his youth to the open road as a musician is as compelling as the songs he sings. Now based in Nashville, Shlomo continues to chase his dreams, creating music that resonates with listeners and reflects his unique experiences.

With a voice that reveals both the weight of his past and the promise of his future, Shlomo Franklin crafts songs that are both personal and universal. His story is one of transformation and self-discovery, and his music is a poignant reflection of that journey.

Jenny Don’t and Kelly Halliburton of Jenny Don’t and the Spurs grace today's episode of The Alt-Country Show. The group's impeccable style is as finely tuned as their blend of indie rock and traditional country, infused with a distinctive Western charm.
The band's sound is a combination of influences from their members, Jenny Don’t (vocals/guitar), Kelly Halliburton (bass), Christopher March (guitar), and Buddy Weeks (drums).
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, they discuss their latest album Broken Hearted Blue, touring, making music videos, and their upcoming appearance at AmericanaFest this September.
Renowned for their extensive touring and unwavering commitment to authenticity in the Americana scene, Jenny and Kelly offer insights into their creative journey and the stories woven into their music.

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Alt-Country Show! Today, we are beyond thrilled to introduce a very special guest, a true gem in the music industry—Nicky Diamonds. Nicky isn’t just another talented musician; he’s a genuine soul whose moving voice, alluring guitar skills, and suave songwriting have completely captivated us and his ever-growing fanbase.

Drawing inspiration from family stories and church hymn books, Nicky’s heartfelt lyrics and clever melodies weave a compelling narrative that deeply resonates with audiences. His latest album release, ‘Perdido En La Salsa,’ showcases his incredible talent and has kept him busy on the road, performing numerous shows and winning over hearts across the country.

Our personal journey with Nicky began with his track “Tirame Un Paro,” and we knew immediately that we had to invite him to be a part of The Alt-Country Show(case). Since then, Nicky has skyrocketed to success in the Country, Americana, and Folk scenes, earning praise from both fellow artists and fans alike.

In today’s episode, we are also joined by a special guest host, the gifted songwriter Nathan K. Nathan, a Michigan-born artist now based in Nashville, brings you in with his melancholic yet hopeful music. Nathan spends his days recording, producing, and arranging strings for other artists while crafting his own poignant tunes.

Together, we dive deep into the making of ‘Perdido En La Salsa’ and get an exclusive sneak peek into some details of Nicky’s upcoming album. We chat about how we all met at The Alt-Country Show(case). We also discuss the incredible experience of recording in Willie Nelson’s legendary studio, and Nicky shares what it was like performing with the one and only Kermit the Frog.

Of course, in true Alt-Country Show fashion, we get off topic quite a bit, sharing lots of laughs and memorable moments. This podcast episode is full of love, good times, and the kind of candid conversation that makes Nicky Diamonds such a beloved figure in the music world.

Tune in and join us for an unforgettable chat with the incomparable @thenickydiamonds_ and our wonderful guest host, @nathankmusic! 💎

Ariel Bui is a Nashville-based musical artist, activist & educator.

On today's episode, Ariel joins guest host Brandon Telg to discuss their most recent release, upcoming projects, representation in music, and Cowboy Carter.

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.

Willie & The Cigs join Emily to chat about their debut full-length, Loaded WIth Hits. They chat about the group's success in the Cincinnati, OH music scene, playing shows, dedicated practice schedules, plans for a new album, and how the inner workings of the band's relations are exactly like Fleetwood Mac (kinda).

Be sure to support the group by buying their record on Bandcamp and enjoy the show.

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Willie & the Cigs is a western garage band based in Cincinnati, OH. Inspired to recontextualize the exciting sounds of early rock artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and The Velvet Underground, the band is driven to make music that invigorates and shocks the ears of the 21st-century listener.

Formed in 2019 by longtime friends Will Ross (guitar), Patrick Zopff (guitar), and Megan Denham (bass), they started performing live in 2021 and soon after published their first record, Loaded With Hits. Revival is not the word for it, The Cigs are making everything new again. The group quickly gathered momentum in Cincinnati’s budding music scene and enlisted Dana Schriever (keys), Owen Kenney (pedal steel), and Chase Leonard (drums) before they started traveling and performing regionally as a six-piece rock n’ roll force of nature. Every show is a tumult of nostalgia and frenzy, memorable and intoxicating all at once.

Megan and Will met in high school and have been playing music together for about 5 years. Owen and Will met at School of Rock in 2013, a program for youth musicians. Everyone met Patrick, Chase, and Dana through the Clifton community of artists and musicians. Everyone’s been playing for quite a few years, Will and Owen probably the longest. The group has been traveling out of town a lot playing shows in Milwaukee WI, Chicago IL, Muncie IN, Lansing MI, Columbus OH, and Ft Wayne IN, and plan on putting out their second album by the end of the year.

insta: @willieandthecigs