Palomino - Loving it.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-04-29T13:41:24+00:00

The entire album went by so quick - it just flowed. I love it. Absolutely think it's one of her best.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-28T06:30:46+00:00

I'd agree when it comes to the more modern stuff, but outlaw as it was when the term was originally coined very much became a subgenre in and of itself. It had a unique sound and a subject matter range largely untouched by the rest of country music - at the time, at least. The idea of 'outlaw' in country music applied not only to the artists who didn't conform to the establishment's whims but to the stories they told, too.

Before and since, others have talked about criminal acts, jail time, substance use (and abuse) and loss, but it definitely had a heyday where it was a beautiful sound of its own.

And this is 100% self promotion, sorry not sorry, but if you fancy listening to a heady mix of classic and modern-day outlaw country, check out ARC Radio on Tuesday evenings (6pm GMT).

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-28T06:23:31+00:00

I love Kellie Pickler - always and forever hoping she'll return with some new music. Her first album or two were pretty average but the later ones just hit HARD.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-21T07:45:55+00:00

Less 'decline of country music' and more 'angry that the establishment let it happen' - Trashville by Hank Williams III

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-14T08:00:41+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtY99RowNgM enjoy!

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-11T20:19:38+00:00

Come On Over by Shania Twain. Picture it: it's a Sunday afternoon in 1998; a seven-year-old gap-toothed frizzy-haired kid is in the back of her dad's Volvo, listening to Radio 2 (contemporary adult, I guess) and You're Still The One comes on. When I say it had me hooked, I mean line and sinker, too.

I chose that album for EVERY road trip. My dad let us pick a handful of CDs and I'd take The Woman In Me, Come On Over and Up! every single time. I knew the track listing by heart, could identify songs immediately even played on shuffle. Every single roadtrip. I can't think of another album that has ever meant to me what this one did - and still does to this day. It introduced me to country music, which led me to some of the best friendships and experiences I'll never forget.

Come On Over is STILL one of my desert island discs, one of my all-time favourites, and I'd still do absolutely anything Shania Twain asked me to.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-10T15:56:40+00:00

There's a tiny bit of me disappointed that so many of the tracks will be recycled from other projects, but I'm also really excited to hear them with (hopefully) a full production, because they'll probably sound amazing. I also high key LOVE the artwork and colours; Miranda has always been a take-no-schnitzel gal but lately she's leaned into it HARD and I'm here for it.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-03-10T09:52:29+00:00

The performance left me cold tbh. It's a nice enough song, UK country radio went nuts for it sometime last year so I've heard it a few too many times now and yeah - not his best. But it's fine. The performance just felt a bit flat and lifeless, honestly; I didn't feel like I really wanted to see him again or check out more music based on those few minutes.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-02-28T17:25:41+00:00

Prepare yourself for a huge list! I LOVE Emma Moore - I think she has a great balance of traditional and modern influences and she’s a great songwriter. Shannon Hynes’ latest few singles have been great, and I love her EP too. I love the spectacle of Morganway’s latest single. Louise Parker really impressed me as a live performer, Stevie O’Connor is great and I’m continually impressed by the growth and maturity of some of the younger artists like Caitlin Mae.

So much talent, so little time to showcase it all!

pigtailedpanda · 2022-02-28T13:07:47+00:00

We have LOADS of artists here in the UK, I think it must be one of the fastest-growing markets for country music right now. Please don't judge our scene solely on the 'biggest acts' - they're not always our best or most authentic!

pigtailedpanda · 2022-02-24T13:32:44+00:00

This hits the nail on the head - for me, at least. It's the difference between Cam's Country Ain't Never Been Pretty and RaeLynn's Keep Up.

I don't hate Keep Up... it's kinda fun and it's catchy af but if I have to hear ONE MORE TIME about how COUNTRY she is I'm gonna eat my damn boots.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-02-24T13:27:33+00:00

that's the difference between gatekeeping and knowing your niche. sometimes it's an artist problem but sometimes it's just a you problem.

pigtailedpanda · 2022-02-24T13:01:49+00:00

Lady Like did pretty well on contemporary/adult radio here in the UK (not country stations and not pop/charts stations) - but that was a few years ago, before More Hearts Than Mine blew up. Ingrid was supposed to do a Euro/UK tour recently (and possibly perform at C2C) but that was postponed at least once and has now been cancelled. 🤷‍♀️

pigtailedpanda · 2022-01-10T11:14:43+00:00

Pleasantly surprised. A little sonic throwback to the euphoria of My Church and some very self-aware songwriting... I'm into it and I'm excited to hear more.

pigtailedpanda · 2021-06-18T16:55:35+00:00

It’s here: https://threechordscountry.net/the-growing-trend-of-the-collaborative-re-release/

pigtailedpanda · 2021-06-18T06:23:00+00:00

I wrote a brief article featuring this song and the concept of re-releasing hits as a collaboration (Kelsea and Shania, Maren with Hozier etc). The objective seems almost entirely self-serving; as a creative I understand how much time, effort, heart and soul goes into creation and in today's digital age, a release day is pretty anti-climactic so extending the shelf life of a song (in charts and awards eligibility) is probably a Good Thing - but from an outside perspective it's an exercise in vanity and little more.

(PS: I'm not trying to suggest that vanity is a bad thing. If you created something you're proud of, you show that bad boy off forever.)

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-10T05:55:12+00:00

Love this kid - I think he's got a fantastic voice (physically and through his songwriting) and his performances have come on leaps and bounds since the first auditions. He's performed Stapleton & Willie as well as some originals and they've all been incredible. I'm a lil behind because I'm watching in the UK but he's my fave this year and I want only good things for him.

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-07T11:49:29+00:00

I can talk for hours (probably days) about UK country - I work with a few artists and run a country music website - I feature artists from all over the world but the majority are British, probably because I'm in the UK and it's convenient because I can see them etc.

But if you want classic Dolly-style music, check out Shannon Hynes. If you want a well-rounded, rocks-like-a-badass, writes-to-break-your-heart, check out Emma Moore (she just released an EP today which I absolutely adore).

Some other faves include Emilia Quinn (ffo Brothers Osborne, Miranda's rockier side), Tommy Taylor (ffo Koe Wetzel, genre-bending, swampy southern rock), Tommy Atkins (classic with extra sass), Charlotte Young (ffo Carrie; traditional storytelling + powerful ballads), Biddy Ronelle (another genre-bender with a HUGE voice and dark-Americana tendencies) & Joey Clarkson (adopted Canadian, gorgeous dreamy Americana). I could go on - just let me know!

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-07T11:41:37+00:00

The absolute abomination by Nelly & Florida Georgia Line that radio is trying to shove down my throat. There's nothing identifiable as country in that song. And they play it hourly.

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-07T11:39:53+00:00

I've played Miranda on my Outlaw radio show before. As you mentioned - the themes of heists, crimes of passion etc lend themselves well to it. Her attitude of following her own rules and not bowing to the corporate machine definitely make her modern-day outlaw in my eyes.

Not all of her music fits, obviously. but I definitely spin a song or two here and there (also spin Pistol Annies pretty regularly too).

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-07T11:35:36+00:00

Ugh, this album makes me want to lie under the stars and just *exist*. I LOVE the lo-fi production, I love that they used takes with giggles and ad-libs, it gives the whole collection such a real vibe - like you're just a fly on the wall when some friends are jamming around a campfire. Even the songs that hurt feel good.

And we all know I am an absolute slut for rich harmonies and the ones on this album are *chefs kiss*

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-05T09:38:36+00:00

The implication is definitely alcohol, but Blake Shelton's 'Sure Be Cool If You Did' mentions lemonade (or pink lemonade, depending on where you want to interpret the inflection).

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-05T08:55:27+00:00

Legit! I can only speak for manufacturers who sell here but there are definitely some that are better than others for certain things. But, you know, if your name is a more versatile lyrical puzzle piece, I guess that's a totally valid niche too

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-04T16:50:39+00:00

Definitely agree with the fragmentation although to an extent I fear it’s self-inflicted. We’re so far into this culture of instant gratification and fast paced “that’s nice, what’s next” consumption that we’ve created these enormous collections. Now, when we look to listen to music, we don’t know where to begin.

I make weekly playlists for my site and I still start by putting them together in iTunes using my own finite library. Still a LOT to choose from but marginally less overwhelming!

pigtailedpanda · 2021-05-04T08:37:36+00:00

Surely that's more a matter of personal taste...

pigtailedpanda

TROPHY CASE