NYCS First Impression: Kacey Musgraves Sparks Ethereal Wonder on ‘Golden Hour’

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Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour

Kacey Musgraves is a Grammy winner who writes and creates songs that are important for this generation and for the country genre.  While her sophomore album Pageant Material focused more on her hometown of Golden, Texas and the ups and downs of growing up in such a small town, Golden Hour is focused more on love, her place on this planet and even a little bit of 70’s disco flair.

From the opening track “Slow Burn” to the LSD fueled “Mother” and the closing track “Rainbow” the entire project is luminous, airy, and meaningful.  When listening to Golden Hour, you can almost see the sounds and feel the colors that she wanted to portray.  In fact, earlier this week she hosted her album listening party at a planetarium in Nashville and each song had its own psychedelic, starry-filled video to accompany the track.  The last single and instant gratification song released to those who pre-ordered the album, “High Horse” is nostalgic of the disco era, lava lamps and the word “boogie”.

Her vocals flit and float over the melodies especially in “Rainbow” and one of the first singles off the project “Butterflies”, which our team got to see her perform live when she opened for Little Big Town at Radio City Music Hall.   As a new bride, Musgraves seems to have a new appreciation for the brilliant feeling when you find the one your heart longs for.

Though many of the songs are light and playful, she stays true to her artistry in never shying away from raw, honest subjects in her music. “Happy and Sad” zeros its focus in on always waiting for the other shoe to drop, not appreciating the good things because of fear of the bad.  “Space Cowboy” one of the strongest, somber songs of the entire project was released the same day as the love song “Butterflies” proving that on this project both love, sadness, and breakup can live peacefully.

Golden Hour is a true masterpiece, weaving delicate lyrics into stories, laced over some of the most unique and colorful melodies.  Grab your copy of Golden Hour on iTunes or listen below:

 

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– Team NYCountry Swag

#TBT Luke Bryan’s Very First Number One Single “Rain Is A Good Thing”

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Luke Bryan is celebrating his 20th number one single this week with “Most People Are Good”, off his recent album, “What Makes You Country,”  In honor of the moment, Let’s take a look back at the video for his very first number one single, “Rain is a Good Thing”.

The video starts out by testimonials from real farmers who spent their entire lives in the fields. “Sixty-something’ years, this has been my livelihood all my life, and it all depends on the water,” a farmer says from his front porch. The video is a clip from Bryan’s ‘Welcome to the Farm Tour’ on Hurricane Plantation in Claxton, Georgia back in 2009.

The video ends with Bryan singing during a huge rainstorm and everyone dancing along. Check it out below…

 

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

4.7.18 – NYCountry Swag Presents: Country Ride with Swerve Fitness

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New York Country Swag Presents:
Country Ride
with Swerve Fitness 

Join Us for a Country Music themed ride at Swerve Midtown

Saturday, April 7th, 10:30AM

Swerve is a team inspired indoor cycling workout
which uses teamwork & tech to create the best cardio workout

Whether you come alone or with friends, the team dynamic keeps you motivated, supported, and accountable, without ever singling you out. Class is a 45-minute rhythm ride and the bikes are arranged into three teams (Red, Green, and Blue), so when you get on your bike, you’ll meet your teammates.

New riders can take advantage of Swerve’s “Buy One, Get One” Class Special

Click Here to Register
Limited seats are available.
We’ll see you there!

*For all questions please e-mail: [email protected]

NYCS Swag Spotlight: Parmalee

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Parmalee

This week’s Swag Spotlight shines on a band that has been together since 2001, Parmalee.  Brothers Matt and Scott Thomas, as well as their cousin Barry Knox and friend, Josh McSwain, moved to Nashville from North Carolina in 2011 to pursue their dreams of being a country music band.   “I think that country is just a part of who we are, we sort of landed there because we were kind of the band that nobody could pinpoint who we were,” Matt Thomas says in a recent chat with New York Country Swag.   “We were always a little too country for rock and too rock for country and too country for pop, it was always kind of blurred lines for us, so it was just a natural progression of where we needed to be.”  He explained that when Jason Aldean, Big and Rich, and Eric Church started making there mark on the genre, they felt they added a similar edge to the traditional music that had been popular in country for so long.

When discussing their influences growing up, Matt laughs and says “honestly everything”.  “Our dad brought us up on soul, blues, and southern country, but also a lot of rock and roll and my mom listened to whatever pop music was out. There was a classic rock radio station back home, that was a staple, it was always a lot of soul rock and roll and country music.”  Now the band explains they are fans of good songs and great melodies, no matter the genre. At any given time you can find them listening to jazz music, or a Frank Sinatra album.  Scott will play the new Chris Stapleton record or even listen to pop music.

Their latest album, 27861 which is also their hometown zip code was released last summer on Stoney Creek Records. They decided to name the album after their hometown because that zip code had been essential to them coming together as a band and represents their roots. They even all have the numbers tattooed on their arms. The album features a collaboration of incredible Nashville songwriters including Rodney Clawson, Tom Douglas, Andrew Dorff and lead singer of Parmalee Matt Thomas.  Writing with those legendary writers, Thomas tells us “I love those guys, there are so many talented people in Nashville that you just have to soak it all in, learn more about people and I think I’ve learned to listen and know what people do best, it’s a very unique, crazy cool thing. ”

Thomas discussed narrowing down over forty songs down to twelve and how they made those decisions. “You want hits the band loves and wants to put on there, what your fans want, and what radio is going to want to play, what is going to help for the live show,” he told us. Looking to the future the band is gearing up to play some festivals and shows across the country this summer and are excited to announce their next single very soon.

Follow along on the band’s social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For full tour dates head to www.parmalee.com

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Ryan Hurd’s New Single “Diamonds or Twine” is the Quintessential Love Song

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With his upcoming nuptials to country superstar Maren Morris looming, Ryan Hurd released a brand new love song today.  “Diamonds or Twine” is not only the perfect love song, but it also represents the day that the couple got engaged back in July of 2017.  “I played this song for Maren the night we got engaged,” says Ryan. “We were at the lake in Michigan, on the dock, and I will never forget that moment.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s diamonds or twine / I’ll be wrapped around your finger / Girl, you got me ’til we run out of time / Rich or poor, rain or shine, / The wind’s gonna blow wherever it goes / And the road is gonna wind / Doesn’t it matter if it’s diamonds or twine / Forevermore, I’ll be yours, and you’ll be mine.”

The two who are slated to get married tomorrow, March 24th met back in 2013 when they were both just coming up in the industry as songwriters. Listen to the beautiful new song below.

 

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

First Impression: Jordan Davis Impresses with Debut Album ‘Home State’

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Jordan Davis Home State

Cover art courtesy MCA Nashville

Rising country artist and one of our New York Country Swag 2018 Artists to Watch, Jordan Davis released his debut full-length album today.  Home State, available everywhere, comes following Davis’ biggest week yet. During his Whiskey and White Wine show Wednesday night at Nashville’s Exit/In, the newcomer was presented with his very first certified gold record for his breakthrough single, “Singles You Up”.  His very first headlining tour wrapped last night (Thurs, Mar. 22) and now Davis starts his album release week.

All twelve tracks on the album were co-written by Davis, allowing fans to peek into his personal story and his pride for his hometown of Shreveport, Louisana. Country radio was first introduced to the Lousiana native when he released “Singles You Up” which is now sitting in the top 10 on the country charts.  The music video released earlier this year has already garnered over six million views and was the perfect single to kick off his debut LP.

 

Besides the playful “Singles You Up” and “Take it From Me” Davis does an outstanding job of blending sub-genres of the country music world including pop, rock and even r&b.  The project features heartbreaking ballads, “Leaving New Orleans”, “Dreamed You Did”, and “Going ‘Round” as well as sensual, love songs such as “Selfish”, “Slow Dancing in a Parking Lot” and “Sundowners”.

Standouts on the LP are “Tough to Tie Down” which expresses a woman who is wild and free but despite her always leaving, he will love her “as long as this world keeps spinning ’round.”  “Made That Way”, another love song highlighting taking someone as they are, quirks and all. “You’re Christmas lights in August / won’t wake up ’til 10 am / my heart pounds just like a kick drum any time that you walk in.”

Fans of John Mayer, Drake White, Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett will all find something to absolutely love and appreciate on Home State.  Grab your copy on iTunes here or take a listen below.

Hear some of our favorite tracks from the record on our New Country Spotify. playlist, here.

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Ellen DeGeneres Surprises Devin Dawson

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Devin Dawson made his Ellen debut today, performing his debut single “All on Me” from his album Dark Horse. Wearing his signature all black, Dawson and his band performed the track which is currently sitting at number 3 on the Country Airplay Chart.

After the performance, Ellen DeGeneres joined Dawson on stage and after exclaiming that each member of the audience would be getting a copy of his album, she said: “I have a surprise for you, this is a really, really great song…it’s so good that it’s gone gold.” Dawson clearly shocked, started jumping up and down with excitement as his very first RIAA gold-certified plaque was presented to him.  Watch the full video above.

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Eli Young Band

#TBT Eli Young Band’s Summer Beach Hit

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After yesterday’s snowstorm, let’s listen to Eli Young Band’s 2017 smash summertime hit, “Saltwater Gospel” to get in the mood for summer 2018.

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Swag Sessions: Featuring The SaraBeth Trio

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Our most recent Swag Spotlight, Sarabeth spent some time with New York Country Swag this week during her trip up to NYC.  Her bandmates, Vicky Vaughn and Glenn Mitchell joined her to create beautiful harmonies and their band named The Sarabeth Trio.  Check out their Swag Session LIVE from The Barrell Room at Park Avenue Tavern…

 

 

Keep up with SaraBeth on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

SaraBeth Trio

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag

Scotty McCreery Makes Career Comeback With “Five More Minutes”…

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Everybody loves a good comeback story and Scotty McCreery‘s is no different. Back in 2011, it seemed as though the young country singer was sitting on top of the world. He had just won American Idol, signed to UMG Nashville, and made history as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart.

Fast Forward to a few years later, after releasing his sophomore album, See You Tonight, which garnered his first Top 10, and just before beginning the song writing process for his third record, McCreery was dropped from his label. With legal issues interfering, McCreery found himself unable to release new music for his fans. Despite the major upset in his career, McCreery never stopped pursuing his dream and continued to write. It was during that timeframe that he penned the song that would soon change his life, “Five More Minutes.”

After independently releasing the hit track, which pays tribute to his late grandfather, McCreery became the first country artist to have a charting single without the support of a label. Following the release, McCreery signed with Triple Tigers who hyper-focused on the song, pushing it all the way to the top spot, making “Five More Minutes” both McCreery’s personal favorite song and his first Number 1 hit.

“Five More Minutes” serves as the debut track from McCreery’s first album in five years, Seasons Change, available everywhere now. To celebrate the highly anticipated album, McCreery took to New York City for a special Album Release Show at Gramercy Theatre.

Scotty McCreery Gold NYC

Photo Credit: Laura June Kirsch

Prior to his performance, McCreery joined label reps, media, and industry professionals for a pre-show hang, showing his gratitude for the support of the new album and taking the time to individually speak to all of the guests in the room. It was during that time that McCreery was surprised with a gold record for his first number one song.

The McCreery Army was strong, showing up in droves on a cold Monday evening and singing back every word to the country star during his 90-minute set. The high-energy performance featured tracks off McCreery’s new album including the title track along with crowd favorites, “This Is It” and “In Between”. Throwing in songs from his debut and sophomore albums like, “I Love You This Big” and “Feel Good Summer Song”, McCreery had the packed crowd on their feet and bopping along song after song.

Magic took over the room when McCreery slowed things down to perform “Five More Minutes”. As he led into the chorus, fans took over the vocals, singing every word while McCreery held both hands to his chest showing true gratitude and acknowledgement to the impact this very special song has made on both him and his fans.

Paying homage to traditional country music, McCreery impressed with a medley of covers including Alan Jackson’s “Chattahochee” and John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold”, before finishing the show in an encore led by his first platinum single, “See You Tonight.”

Grab your copy of Scotty McCreery’s Seasons Change here and make sure you are following @NYCountrySwag for all things country music in New York and beyond.

 

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Thanks for supporting Country Music in NYC!

Click Here to learn more about NYCountry Swag
+ Follow our Country Music Adventures on Instagram, @NYCOUNTRYSWAG!

– Team NYCountry Swag