Widowspeak / Bear Grass / Russel The Leaf

Widowspeak – https://widowspeak.bandcamp.com

Widowspeak breathes deeply, balancing moments of open lushness with a straightforward, Velvets-y approach. Dynamics shift seamlessly between gentle, drifting ballads and twangy jams, built up from layered guitars, dusty percussion and ambling bass lines. Thomas’s guitar playing is as lyrical and emotive as it’s ever been, and Hamilton’s voice: comfortable and effortless. The band still wears the same perennial influences on its sleeve: cornerstones like Yo La Tengo, Neil Young, Cowboy Junkies, Cat Power, and Richard and Linda Thompson. They expertly pepper in slow-core, dream-pop, pacific northwest indie, and outlaw country, resulting in a 60s-meets-90s aesthetic.

Bear Grass – https://beargrass.bandcamp.com

Bear Grass is built around the songs of Katie Hammon, who’s sultry pipes have been compared to a ‘fresh from the dryer blanket feeling instrument’. Hammon’s roots in the pacific northwest shape the character of the music with lyrics often referencing the people and places from her childhood memories. The instrumentation sets the stage for vocals to wrap you up and draw you right in while Hammon’s deeply personal yet relatable lyrics take you on a journey. Bear Grass can be classified as indie, folk rock and released their sophomore album LEFT, to a global audience in 2018.

Russel The Leaf – https://russel.bandcamp.com

Russel the Leaf is the catch all for music that comes from Evan M. Marré. Born and raised in Scotia, NY, Russel makes recordings wherever he can set up. Spontaneity and structure go hand in hand with this music. Every aspect is thoroughly thought out, but captured in a frantic excited way.