Alexander Ludwig Archives

Ingrid Andress: ‘Good Person’ – Album Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Ingrid Andress’ brand new album, Good Person is out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With the type of voice that immediately pierces through to a listener’s soul, Ingrid Andress has become one of Nashville’s most consistent singer-songwriters. With her left-of-center style she frequently colors outside the lines of typical country music in the best way possible. That continues on her sophomore album, Good Person, out now.

Featuring thirteen new tracks, including “Wishful Drinking,” the chart-climbing duet with Sam Hunt, her new offering is an impactful introspection of the best kind. “When people describe something as an adventure, it’s all fun and exciting,” says Andress in a statement. “But if it’s a real adventure, there’s some struggle in there, too—it’s not all fun new things, there can be some dark days. But the contrast of that is what I enjoy. Making Good Person was one of the most painful processes I’ve ever been through, but it was also the brightest and the best. It’s crazy how you can experience both those things at the same time. I didn’t think I could be more open, but I guess I am. Just when you think you’ve exposed it all, you see that you only just cracked it.”

Following in the footsteps of her critically-acclaimed debut, Lady Like, was not an easy feat, but there’s no sophomore slump here. Instead, Andress is as vulnerable and introspective as ever on the co-produced project, which features a combination of sweeping ballads and clever up-tempos. “I realized how scared a lot of people are to push boundaries and how I am not, that’s my bread and butter,” she says. “Isn’t that the goal, to discover new things? What are we doing here if we’re not trying to make new art?”

For Andress, much of the album was written when the world shut down during the pandemic, allowing her to look inward as she realized, “I wasn’t happy and [that] I needed to fix it.” This theme weaves its way through the album, which often finds Andress looking inward to deal with a broken heart and moving on from a toxic relationship.

From the opening chords of “Good Person,” the album’s title track, it’s clear listeners are in for a journey of the best kind. On the ethereal song, Andress looks both inwards and outwards, comparing herself to others as she grapples with the definition of being a good person. In a world that’s so full of judgment and comparison, the song deals with one of humanity’s most common struggles.

“’Cause I’ve cheated and lied // And made people cry // But I pray for the ones that I love every night // And I’ve shattered some hearts // And my thoughts get dark // But I’d stop for a stranger who’s falling apart // I’m still learning // Good, good person”

One of the album’s immediate standouts is “Yearbook,” a heart-wrenching ballad that has her observing a relationship that’s been long-standing, but may no longer make sense. On the sparse ballad, she looks at her parents and their 40-year-long relationship, from high school sweethearts to passing ships in the night.

“And I guess they stayed together just because they wrote forever // On the inside of the cover by their names // They were in love you can read it I guess // I’ve just only seen it in a red ink heart around my father’s face // They’ve lived in the same house for almost 40 years now // But the last day they were on the same page // Was in a yearbook”

On “Seeing Someone Else” and “How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?,” Andress continues to be blatantly honest in the best way. The former, an almost teasing track, has her challenging her lover that the person she wants to be with is a former version of herself. “And if you’re honest with yourself // You know you’re hanging onto history,” She sings here.

Meanwhile, on “How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?” She struggles with the idea of being truly honest with someone who may only think they want the truth.

“‘Cause when you water down whiskey, it gets easier to drink // And a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine sweeter // You say you want the truth, but the truth, baby, it might sting // So, how honest do you want me to be?

“No Choice” is one of the album’s most striking moments, a building and sweeping ballad that shows Andress cracking with emotion as she grapples with a relationship ending. The heartbreak is apparent here as the singer shares one of her most vulnerable performances to date, sure to stop listeners in their tracks.

Andress spoke to Rolling Stone about the track, revealing, “That was a very emotional day. It was in a moment when I realized that the person I was with, it was just not healthy for me. It was really weighing me down when I should have been thriving. That day was just really difficult…Honestly, I wanted to take out the crying part because I don’t like crying in front of people. But I was like, ‘You know what? This album is all about being vulnerable so let’s just go there.’ It’s terrifying to do that because you’re opening up a very, very hidden part of you to the entire world. There would be no other way for me to really get across how painful that moment was without being true to that moment. It’s really scary, but at the same time, it’s more about the art to me. I’m just a vessel. What I am singing about and crying about has happened to so many other people and the goal is to make them feel less alone and more understood.”

“Pain” deals with the same toxic relationship, melding an old-school vibe with heartbreaking lyrics. Andress admits the song was inspired by Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain” and the classic sounds of the 60’s. “I love contrasting older sounds with modern flair,” says Andress. “I wondered if there was a way that could live in the country space—how throwback can we get, but also make it country, but still fit my voice?”

“Feels Like This” and “Falling for You” offer moments of hope and new love amidst sadness. Andress admits that the latter was written with her band in mind, so they’d have a reprieve from the sad songs, allowing for a fun moment during her live shows. On the building up-tempo, she muses about the moment of falling for someone new, and the hope that it never stops. “I hope that I never stop falling for you,” She sings. “I hope that your kiss always feels like it’s new.”

The official album ends with “Things That Haven’t Happened Yet,” a sparse and intimate ballad that has the singer longing for what has been and what is yet to come. “I’m only twenty-nine, but I’ve died a hundred times,” She begins, immediately enrapturing listeners.

“I learned so much in this chapter of my life—and I’m still so young, so I’m terrified of what else I’m going to learn on the next album,” she says. “Ending with that song was a very intentional reminder to myself. ‘You think you’ve got it figured out now, so you’re worrying about the next thing.’ Don’t do that, there’s no point. It’s all going to happen the way it’s going to happen, whether you want it to or not. The journey isn’t over.”

For Ingrid Andress, the journey is far from over, and we’re certainly here for it. If Good Person is any indication, it’s certain to be a beautiful – and occasionally bumpy – ride.

Ingrid Andress – Good Person Track List:

Good Person (Ingrid Andress, Steph Jones, Sam Ellis)*
Yearbook (Ingrid Andress, Pete Good, Shane McAnally, Derrick Southerland)*
Seeing Someone Else (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Jesse Frasure)*
Talk (Ingrid Andress, Alex Stacey, Tommy Gee, David Fremberg, Mich Hansen)*
How Honest Do You Want Me to Be? (Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland)*
No Choice (Ingrid Andress, AJ Pruis, Liz Rose)**
Pain (Ingrid Andress, Laura Veltz, Sam Ellis)*
Feel Like This (Ingrid Andress, Julia Michaels, Sam Ellis)*
Blue (Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland, Shane McAnally)*
Falling For You (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)*
All the Love (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)*
Things That Haven’t Happened Yet (Ingrid Andress, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis)
*Produced by: Ingrid Andress & Sam Ellis
**Produced by: Ingrid Andress & AJ Pruis

Country Swag Picks:

No Choice
How Honest Do You Want Me to Be?
Yearbook
Good Person

Ingrid Andress new album, ‘Good Person’ is officially here.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Ingrid Andress releases.

To keep up with Ingrid Andress, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Good Person is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Alexander Ludwig: ‘Highway 99’ – Album Review

August 26, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Alexander Ludwig’s brand new, debut album, Highway 99 is out now, August 26th on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

With a shockingly country drawl and an airy approach to country music that channels the best of the early-2000’s, Canadian actor-turned-country-singer Alexander Ludwig’s debut album, Highway 99, is out now. Released by BBR Music Group/ BMG Nashville, the full-length is a follow up to 2021’s self-titled EP, which featured songs like “Sunset Town,” “Love Today,” and “Summer Crazy.”

While he may be best known for roles in Vikings, Heels, and The Hunger Games, Ludwig always had country music in his blood, growing up on the likes of Alan Jackson and George Strait. He began writing songs at 12, falling in love with country music on long drives with his family. “I named my album ‘Highway 99’ because that drive is really where I got my musical education,” shared the singer, reminiscing about road trips from Vancouver to Whistler Mountain. “So much of my musical education growing up was driving through the mountains in Canada. […] When I think of this album, it wasn’t so much a story from start to finish, like a concise story, it’s this winding road of feelings that I wanted to communicate.”

Produced by Jason Aldean’s bandmates, Kurt Allison and Tully Kennedy, Highway 99, is definitely a nod to the country Ludwig grew up on, meshing the best of Aldean, Chesney, and other influences into an album full of stadium-ready anthems, odes to small towns, and celebrations of life.

“Summer Crazy” is one of the album’s most apparent standouts, setting the perfect soundtrack for a day at the beach or a barbecue, and the Instagram caption that’s sure to follow. With driving guitars and a perfect hook, the track is as radio-ready as they come.

Likewise, “Love Today” shines as another clear highlight, Ludwig raising a lyrical glass to seize the day. “It’s good to be alive, kinda smile on my face, yeah it’s gonna be okay,” He sings over the infectious melody and catchy tune. “I love today.”

The album’s first single, “Faded on Me,” is a more rowdy up-tempo with an anthemic feel, yet semi-autobiographical for Ludwig. “If my album could be summed up in a song it would be ‘Faded On Me,’” said Ludwig in a statement. “The song spoke to me so much. As a kid, my parents taught me to roll with the punches, and this song is all about that. Taking whatever life throws your way and throwing it right back.”

“One more night in a neon town // And I pull my heart into one more, one more round // Burn both ends till they both burn out // Shots I’ve missed, girls I kissed // When the heartache hits I go till it’s faded on me // I go till it’s faded on me // Till it’s faded on me.”

Much of Highway 99 finds the singer-songwriter longing for the one that got away. This can be heard on tracks including “After You,” “Back,” “Can’t Outrun You,” and “Melrose Avenue.” On “After You,” he admits that things will never be the same after someone special is gone, while “Back” also has him longing for those days when things were better.

“Can’t Outrun You” also finds the singer-songwriter desperately trying to escape a lost love who’s everywhere he goes and everywhere he looks. “Everything here reminds me…” He croons. “Every neon bar // That Texaco star // Every sundown water tower view // Rolling down that main street strip // Every parking lot kiss // Runs through my mind // No matter what I do // Every road, every mile I go // I can’t outrun you.”

While some tracks may allude to Ludwig being lovelorn, that couldn’t be further from the truth for the happily married superstar. One song reflecting that is “Malibu Blue,” which Ludwig says he played for his wife on their first date, so it will forever hold a special place in his heart.

Like any good country album, there are songs about small towns, back roads, and simpler life on Highway 99, including “Sunset Town,” “Rough Around the Edges,” and “That’s the Life I Want.” While the star could easily “go Hollywood,” he longs for a simple life out in the country with someone special. “Simple as a windows-down singalong song,” he muses. “As long as this life keeps on spinning // That’s the life I want // You’re the girl I want in it.”

The album concludes with “Let Me Be Your Whiskey,” a slow burner where Ludwig begs someone to help him numb the pain. In fact, he offers for them to self-medicate together on the sparse ballad of knowing something is wrong despite how right it may feel.

“Let me be your whiskey // You can be mine // Spend the whole night with me // Until the mornin’ light // Ain’t gonna heal the heartache // Ain’t gonna stop the rain // Let me be your whiskey // And for a while, kill the pain.”

Throughout Highway 99, one note is how similar Ludwig sounds to Kenny Chesney, in a good way. In fact, if there’s ever a Chesney biopic, Ludwig might have to shave his head and don a tanktop and a cowboy hat to play the country superstar.

Highway 99 is a great introduction for Alexander Ludwig to country music fans, as it melds common tropes with an early-2000’s flare and his own spin on summer nights, lost love, and the perfect life.

Alexander Ludwig – Highway 99 Track List:
(Digital Sequence)

Sunset Town
Faded On Me
That’s The Life I Want
Rough Around The Edges
How It Rolls
201 Melrose Avenue
That Kinda Love
Back
If You Don’t I Do
Like She Wanted To
Summer Crazy
After You
Malibu Blue
Can’t Outrun You
Love Today
Let Me Be Your Whiskey

Country Swag Picks:

Faded on Me
Summer Crazy
Love Today
Can’t Outrun You

Alexander Ludwig’s debut album, ‘Highway 99’ is out now.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Alexander Ludwig releases.

To keep up with Alexander Ludwig, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Highway 99 is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Who Is Alexander Ludwig? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music

June 14, 2022/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

Who is Alexander Ludwig? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about his journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Alexander Ludwig

Birthday – May 7, 1992

Hometown – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Musical influences – Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, AC/DC

The Beginning:

Today our spotlight shines on an entertainer that you may already be familiar with. Alexander Ludwig, an accomplished actor, is finally living out his dream of being a country music singer-songwriter. Despite what you may think you know about Ludwig already, we can promise you that you will agree that he belongs in country music.

“I grew up in Vancouver, Canada, but I spent most of my time in a place called Whistler Mountain,” began the singer. “When I first started to play guitar at 9 years old, I learned to play, and write songs, at a cabin in Whistler.” Ludwig credits the time he spent at an early age in the mountains, listening to country music with his family during the car ride, for his love for music today.

“So much about what I love about country music was just my love for the outdoors, the backwoods, and the simple things in life,” shared the singer. According to Ludwig, some of his favorites growing up were artists like Alan Jackson, James Taylor, and Garth Brooks. Nowadays, he appreciates artists that bring a modern take to the traditional sound of country music, such as Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, and HARDY.

“My favorite artists in country music right now are the ones who manage to ride the line of, you can hear the influences from the past, but it’s a fresh take on that.” Of course, this is exactly the type of music that Ludwig set out to make.

The Turning Point:

Although Ludwig’s record deal might be fairly new, he has been creating and writing music his whole life.“I’m a storyteller and country music is some of the best, if not the greatest, storytelling on the planet,” shared the artist, when asked about the connection between acting and music for him.

“Whether I’m playing an arena or a dive bar, makes no difference to me, I’d be doing this regardless,” Ludwig later added. It was evident from our conversation that whether fans knew about his music or not, the singer would always be creating music, just as he had his whole life.

When he first started taking trips to Nashville to write, he wanted the other artists and writers in the room to know how serious and passionate he was about his craft. “I want people from the country community to just see me as Alexander, the country artist. It has always been so true to who I am,” adding later, “This was something I was doing whether or not I had a deal.”

Today:

For those who may not have already been introduced to Alexander, the country singer, fans are in for a real treat. Ludwig’s upcoming album Highway 99 is slated for release this August. “I named my album ‘Highway 99’ because that drive is really where I got my musical education,” shared the singer, reminiscing yet again about the road trips to Whistler Mountain.

“So much of my musical education growing up was driving through the mountains in Canada. […] When I think of this album, it wasn’t so much a story from start to finish, like a concise story, it’s this winding road of feelings that I wanted to communicate.”

Fans can already get a taste of the album with the newly released single, “Faded On Me.” Ludwig shared, “I loved coming out with that one because I thought so many people would have expected me to come out with a country love song.” The song is the perfect combination of fun and stellar songwriting to keep us anticipating the upcoming record.

“I wrote a bunch of songs on the album. David Lee Murphy has been such a champion of mine and he’s written on a few of them,” Ludwig said. “We kind of just utilized this rollercoaster of emotions all the way through. It really was the ride of my life.”

Until the record drops, fans can expect the singer to be playing as many shows as possible! “I hope that people love this and I get to keep doing this.”

Connect:

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Alexander Ludwig releases.

To keep up with Alexander Ludwig, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Alexander Ludwig’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Alexander Ludwig Drops Lead Single “Faded On Me”

June 3, 2022/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Alexander Ludwig’s new song, “Faded On Me” is out now, June 3rd, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new track below.

Ahead of his brand new debut album, coming out this August, Alexander Ludwig is sharing new music with fans. The lead single, “Faded On Me” is officially here and primed for the live shows!

The recording artist has a proven knack for creating music that appeals to the masses. “Faded On Me” is a mid-tempo jam. It features stellar songwriting and a catchy hook and chorus. The wordplay of the title “faded on me” is both clever and enticing. Ludwig finds new ways to share about himself, country living, and more.

This first taste of the singer-songwriter’s album is a good one! Fans have a lot to look forward to in Ludwig’s future. If you haven’t listened to his EP, listen here and check back soon for the full length album.

Alexander Ludwig’s brand new song, “Faded On Me” is out now, June 3rd, on all streaming platforms

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Alexander Ludwig releases.

To keep up with Alexander Ludwig, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

“Faded On Me” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Alexander Ludwig Releases Debut Self-titled EP

May 21, 2021/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Alexander Ludwig, the Vikings and The Hunger Games star, makes his entrance to country music with a new self-titled EP, available now, May 21st, on all streaming platforms. Read our full review of the project below.

Alexander Ludwig may be best known for his roles as Bjorn on Vikings or Cato in The Hunger Games, but the multi-talented Canadian is now making a foray into country music with his self-titled EP. For his debut project, Ludwig signed with BBR Music Group and joined forces with Jason Aldean’s bandmates, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison, who produced the project. The EP also features songs co-written by other Nashville heavy hitters including David Lee Murphy, Jonathan Singleton, and Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi.

Although it may seem like a stretch for a Canadian actor to jump into country music, Ludwig grew up on the genre, first picking up the guitar at age nine. Inspired by the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Aldean, those influences can be heard throughout the five-song project.

The EP opens with “Love Today,” which shows Ludwig channeling his inner Kenny Chesney on the summery anthem. “I’m moving on // yesterday’s gone, I’ve been waiting on // Chin up, drink up, call an old friend up, It’s good to be alive, kinda smile on my face, yeah it’s gonna be okay,” He sings over the infectious melody and driving guitars. “I love today.” The song is the perfect introduction to Ludwig, the artist, as it’s a catchy country anthem, perfect for summer beach days and Instagram captions.

On “Sunset Town,” Ludwig paints a portrait of moving on from a failed relationship in a beachside town of open-air bars, boats, and happy hours. On the power ballad, Ludwig muses that he’ll “probably end up in some sunset town,” and it’s impossible not to picture him on a beach somewhere.

Of the album’s third track, co-written by Eric Arjes and Tursi, Ludwig reveals that,””How It Rolls” is everything I love about country music. It takes you away and leaves you flying high for three minutes. It teleports you to a feeling, where you’re so enamored by a person that everything in your world appears to be rolling the right way. That’s what all of these songs are — they’re moments in time. We’re just trying to capture those moments properly.”

Of the album’s fourth track, “Malibu Blue,” Ludwig says he played it for his now-wife on their first date. For that reason, the song holds a special place in his heart. “We focused on songs that really resonate,” Ludwig said. “A ‘hit’ isn’t necessarily a No. 1. It’s a song that sticks in your head for years. I remember when I first listened to our recording of ‘Malibu Blue.’ My now-wife and I were on one of our first date together, and I played it for her…I’ll never forget hearing it for the first time.”

The EP closes with “Summer Crazy,” the only track on this project co-written by Ludwig. It celebrates all of the great things that make summertime so magical. The song is akin to a modern version of Kenny Chesney’s “Summertime,” and we can’t wait to blast it at a tailgate.

While many actors try to transition into country music, for some it seems like they’re simply taking on another role. However, for Alexander Ludwig, the EP is truly a passion project. “I’m here for the long haul,” he says. “This isn’t some actor who comes to Nashville and expects the world to be handed to him. That’s not who I am. My heart and soul are in this music, and I’ll do whatever it takes to continue earning my spot in this community.”

Alexander Ludwig’s new self-titled debut EP is available now, May 21st on all streaming platforms

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Alexander Ludwig announcements and releases.

To keep up with Alexander Ludwig, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Alexander Ludwig is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Posts

Quick Facts:

The Turning Point:

Today:

Connect: