Courtney Leigh Heins is one name you’re bound to hear more of in the world of Alt. Country. The singer-songwriter from Indiana packed her bags for LA soon after graduating from Boston College to try her hand at being a full time musician. While in LA, she met her current songwriting partner, multi-instrumentalist Bryan Dobbs. Together, Dobbs and Heins write tunes inspired by the Heartland and Hollywood. This week’s free track, “The Great Divide” provides an insightful commentary on American politics in small town America in between twangy guitar solos and folky mandolin riffs. With influences spanning from Loretta Lynn to Wilco, Courtney is destined to win over a wide variety of listeners.
Seven performers, four part harmony, one amazing sound. San Francisco based, Or, The Whale, whose name is derived from a certain Herman Melville novel, crafts an alt-country epic with Call and Response.
They sing, “There’s a town in the old deep South near the river mouth that was swept away”…”Now they’ve got more to fear than a hurricane.”
Written as an ode to post-Katrina, New Orleans, it finds renewed relevance in the wake of Ike.
With four Top 10 finishes, a win in the Americana/Alt Country Channel in March, a spot at Noise Pop 2008, and a performance at Treasure Island won through IMEEM, Or, The Whale, is our Daily Download.
Be among the first to discover one of the hottest emerging bands on the country / americana charts, American Babies. Their self titled debut album vividly displays the raw talent of singer/songwriter Tom Hamilton. While still only in his 20’s, Hamilton’s lyrics channel the worldly knowledge of songwriting chameleons like Neil Young & Ryan Adams with a hint of Gram Parsons for good measure. Fans first discovered Tom Hamilton’s American Babies when their classic tune “Invite Your Friends” hit several top spots on the OurStage charts. Since then American Babies won performance slots at the Bonnaroo and SXSW music festivals as well as a featured track on the OurStage sampler CD. Check out our video & grab a glimpse of life on the road with these all American heart throbs. Get in the know and get TO know American Babies – check out their profile & join their fanclub.
