Nicolle Galyon Archives

Nicolle Galyon: ‘second wife’ – EP Review

October 16, 2023/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Nicole Piering

Nicolle Galyon shares her new EP, second wife, out now, October 13th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new music below.

According to tradition, the gift for a 16th wedding anniversary is wax. However, songwriter Nicolle Galyon has never been traditional, celebrating instead with a surprise EP, entitled second wife, out now. Featuring six new tracks co-written with her songwriter husband Rodney Clawson, the collection celebrates the life the pair have built together.

“second wife shows the side of me that is flawed, self-deprecating, understated, silly, and yet unconventionally traditional. The side of me that fell in love at 21. That’s a side of me that I don’t always show — the married one,” Galyon shares. “If firstborn was a memoir, second wife is more of a fun adventure in real time. The thing about second wife is even the title itself is imperfect. That’s probably my favorite thing about being one. The illusions (and delusions) I had as a firstborn were gone once I became one.”

Recorded over a weekend with co-producers Jimmy Robbins and King Henry, the collection takes listeners on a journey through married life with Galyon and Clawson, which she describes as “imperfect, honest and kind of irreverent.”

It begins with the one-two punch of “jo” and “prenup,” the first a short and sweet ode to her mother-in-law who shaped Clawson into the man he is today. The second is a toe-tapping up-tempo that’s as tongue-in-cheek as they come, the pair trading verses about all of the not-so-great things that they’d have to split in a divorce, finally agreeing that “If you keep looking at me that way, I think we’ll be okay.”

“rooms” is an immediate standout, a confessional ballad which finds Galyon dealing with unwelcome whispers and anxieties as she walks into various metaphorical rooms alongside Clawson. She may be dealing with other’s opinions, but with Clawson by her side, she’s able to remind herself that she’s the one with him. “Head up high and bite my tongue, Find a bar and order two,” She sings. “Hey f*ck them all, ‘Cause I’m the one, walking into rooms with you.”

“texas hold ‘em” is another immediate favorite, a single-worthy uptempo that allows Galyon to show her more playful and lighthearted side. Here, she uses her witty lyrics to warn any woman with a man in their life from Texas.

“You gotta hold ’em like you mean it // Hold ’em when you’re drunk // Hold ’em like his ex-girlfriend walked up // Hold ’em like a diamond fallin’ out your necklace // ‘Cause if you’re messin’ with one from Texas // You gotta hold ’em like you’re lonesome // Like he’s a Friday 5 o’clock cold one // Play like you ain’t gonna lose him to no one // Kinda hold ’em”

Both “the grain” and “under the rainbow” are dialed down tracks, celebrating Galyon’s home state of Kansas, with “the grain” acting as a love letter to her hometown. Meanwhile, “under the rainbow” takes the familiar melody of “Over the Rainbow” and reimagines it to a celebration of the simpler things in life.

On second wife, Nicolle Galyon does what she does best. The project is a tongue-in-cheek confessional on love, life, and marriage, and while an EP may not be a typical anniversary celebration, it’s absolutely perfect for Galyon and Clawson.

second wife Tracklist:

jo. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
prenup. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
the grain. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
rooms. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
texas hold ’em. (Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
under the rainbow. (Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg)

Country Swag Picks:

rooms
texas hold ‘em
prenup

Nicolle Galyon shares brand new ep, ‘second wife,’ out now 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 Nicolle Galyon announcements and releases.

To keep up with Nicolle Galyon, you can find her on Instagram here.

second wife 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.

Nicolle Galyon: ‘firstborn’ – Album Review

July 22, 2022/in Blog, First Impression, New Music, News /by Lucie Bernheim

Nicolle Galyon’s debut album, firstborn., is out now, July 22nd on all streaming platforms. Take a listen and read our full review below.

Nicolle Galyon has been one of the most successful and important songwriters of the last decade. Her perspective on life is so unique and evocative: she writes so clearly about being a woman, mother, wife, friend, businesswoman, and so much more. The collection of music, firstborn., touches on all of these ideas and is performed in a way that really, only the songwriter herself could sing.

The first single from the project and track one is “winner.”, which is Galyon’s true introduction. First and foremost, she was born in a town called Winner, her mother had her when she was young, her birth father left when she was young, she’s learning how to balance being a mom and a successful writer… and while it’s a lot to take in, she is able to navigate it all, doing so poetically.

“The main catalyst was, ‘What would I want my kids to know about me?'” Nicolle says in a recent press release. “How would I want them to know me as a mother, woman, and creator if it all ended tomorrow? I had the concept and I just knew I wanted to write the album chronologically as if I was writing my memoir to my kids,” she says. “I wanted to do it now in real-time.”

Track two is the spectacular “sunflower.” about learning to accept her height — physically, being taller than the boys, but also being a strong presence wherever she goes. “You look the best when you’re looking up,” she sings. It’s hard enough to be a woman in the writing room – the add on wanting and being incredibly successful, joining the ranks of the “boy’s club”; it can be hard to feel proud enough to stand tall amongst said club.

“You might feel a little crazy // trying to fit in with them daisies // Someday It’s gonna be your superpower // It might take til 21 // but you’ll find your place in the sunflowers”

It’s a song for her, her daughter and all girl’s everywhere. For girls who are taller than others, and also girls who are ambitious and their presence stands tall/takes up space. Galyon is not only a songwriter, artist, mother – but she is a record executive/founder, for an all-women’s label, Songs & Daughters. This song is for all girls.

The writer’s list for firstborn. is like it’s own red carpet. Shane McAnally, Hillary Lindsey, Kelsea Ballerini, Sasha Sloan, Emily Weisband, to name a few. It’s not intentional: it’s just that Galyon is one of the best writers in Nashville and is surrounded by fabulous talent as well.

Several of the songs on the record are like social commentaries. “disneyworld.” is clever, but also weirdly nostalgic. “If it looks like I had it all // It’s because I skipped the ball // Never was a fan of fantasy”, she sings. “boy crazy.”, for instance, is incredibly catchy while being about the frustrating double standards that women face.

“If one second he’s laughing and one second later he’s angry // You wouldn’t call a boy crazy // Am I crazy or is something kinda messed up with the way // We never call the boy crazy?”

There are two songs on the project that were previously cut by other artists and two of Galyon’s biggest hits, “consequences.” (cut by Camilla Cabello) and “boy.” (cut by Lee Brice). Galyon’s own versions of the songs cut even deeper coming from the songwriter herself. Her delivery is more lived in – like there are more ink stains and smile lines that you can hear on the recordings.

Galyon would sing her version of Lee Brice’s “Boy” at songwriters rounds often, and her rendition of the beautiful song is a standout in particular. It’s incredibly moving to hear the perspective of a mother to her son. If “sunflower.” is for Charlie, her daughter, “boy.” is for her son, Ford.

“five year plan.” is a wonderful love song written solely by Galyon and her husband, prolific songwriter Rodney Clawson. The beginning of the song has audio of Galyon telling her children, Charlie and Ford, that their parents wrote a song together. It’s precious, and also like a time capsule within the song. There are also other samples, including audio of Natalie Hemby shouting Galyon out onstage while accepting their award for “Automatic” (Miranda Lambert’s Platnium, 2014). The melody and production is great, but the lyrics are what make this story. “Love don’t fit in a five year plan.”

“I’m doing this so that I have no regrets, so there’s nothing left on the table from me and my family and that I can be a good leader to my children,” she says. “If you have a gut instinct that you need to do something or create something or make something, don’t talk yourself out of it.”

Galyon does just that on the project, leaves nothing on the table, especially on the closing track, “death bed.” There are a lot of really evocative lyrics in it, such as, “You just weren’t in the car to see Superman cry,” but one of the best parts of this song is the stunning vocals. Galyon is able to truly establish herself as not only one of the best songwriter’s in town, but is also an amazing recording artist with a true vision. Not that the latter is surprising; few people are as visionary as Galyon is.

Nothing has been easy for Nicolle Galyon. Everything she has, she has earned rightfully so. Her talent and grit is apparent just by looking through her feed, but firstborn. gives people the opportunity to really get to know the woman behind their favorite songs. Boundaries will continue to be broken by Galyon, because that’s just her style. firstborn. is a close-to-perfect debut album. It’s a relief we finally get to hear Galyon’s voice – her perspective is always needed.

firstborn Track List:

winner. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
sunflower. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins, Sasha Sloan)
boy crazy. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Kelsea Ballerini, Hillary Lindsey)
disneyworld. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Sasha Sloan)
consequences. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, Amy Wadge, Camila Cabello)
self care. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Sasha Sloan, Caroline Baker)
boy. (writte by Nicolle Galyon, Jon Nite)
tendencies. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Cooper Galyon)
five year plan. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Rodney Clawson)
younger woman. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Hillary Lindsey)
death bed. (written by Nicolle Galyon, Sasha Sloan, Jimmy Robbins)

Nicolle Galyon’s debut album ‘firstborn’ 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 Nicolle Galyon releases.

To keep up with Nicolle Galyon, you can find her on Instagram here.

firstborn 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.

Hailey Whitters & Little Big Town Release New Years Treat “Fillin’ My Cup”

January 2, 2021/in Blog, New Music, News /by Lucie Bernheim

Hailey Whitters and Little Big Town made the first day of 2021 even sweeter by releasing their new song “Fillin’ My Cup”, perfect for raising spirits in these trying times. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

It’s hard to believe that the most insane year in many of our lifetimes is over. While 2020 was, in many ways, the worst of times, a huge silver lining was the phenomenal music and art created in that time. Among that music was Whitters’ fantastic record, The Dream, released only a few weeks shy of lockdown. A true songwriter’s record is what was needed to get through the last 10 months, so what better way to start 2021 than with Hailey Whitters’ new perfectly-timed single, “Fillin’ My Cup”?

The song and it’s music video is filled with everything from fiddle to fashion. Written by Whitters, Nicolle Galyon (who also serves as Whitters’ label-head), and Hillary Lindsey is a neo-country sounding track (courtesy of co-production by Whitters and fiancé Jake Gear) all about trying to find the high’s within the inescapable lows of life. It’s sweet and new, yet nostalgic, and distinctively Whitters.

“It’s one part happy and one part chaos / Whole lotta borrowed, little bit paid off / You can’t appreciate the sugar if you never had the salt / Ain’t it nice and sweet even when it’s on the rocks?” Whitters is so good at figuring out how to tie universal and thoughtful messages of living with her own personal musings.

Just when you think the song can’t get better, between the stellar songwriting and Whitters and Little Big Town’s harmonies, Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman take the second verse. It’s not that the song needed Little Big Town, but having them on it added so much to it vocally, and it made the vibe even more fun and lively. Both have these dreamy, vintage aesthetics that reflect sonically, lyrically and visually. It’s a natural collaboration.

The end of the song is boot-stomping, honky-tonk happy. It coincidentally feels light in the way champagne does on New Year’s Eve. “Yeah, it ain’t the whiskey, it ain’t the wine / Though it sure goes good from time to time / With this high-low life, go and shake it on up / Yeah, that’s the stuff that’s fillin’ my cup”, they sing together on the final chorus.

In 2017, Little Big Town released “Happy People”, a standout Whitters and Lori McKenna co-write that opened their album The Breaker. Both Whitters and McKenna released their own versions of the lighthearted tune, and it’s the song that really kick-started Whitters’ career. This collaboration feels very full circle and characteristically hopeful. And after the year we’ve all had, there’s nothing we need more than hope.

For all your country music, tours, songwriters, news, and releases, fans can subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up newsletter here.

To keep up with Hailey Whitters, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Fillin’ My Cup” 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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Who Is Tiera? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

October 16, 2020/in Blog, News, Swag Spotlight /by Erica Zisman

Releasing a brand new track today, newcomer Tiera spoke with NYCountry Swag about her backstory and her journey to Nashville. Learn more about her in the interview below.

We have been early believers and proud supporters of Nicolle Galyon’s record label, Songs & Daughters since the very start. Championing women in country music and beyond is something that is close to our hearts, as a female-run business ourselves, that’s why teaming up with Galyon and Songs & Daughters for our 3rd Annual Babes, Booze & Brunch event earlier this year was so special to us.

Now, Songs & Daughters are introducing us to another rising female powerhouse, Tiera, and we are thrilled to get to know her in this week’s Swag Spotlight feature. Tiera is the flagship songwriter for Songs & Daughters, and also has new music coming out on her own including a brand new track released today, “Found It In You”. We loved every minute of our conversation with the blossoming singer-songwriter…

Growing up in Gardendale, Alabama, outside of Birmingham, Tiera recalls her family always being supportive of her dreams. She grew up in a household that encouraged exploration of interests, including modeling, dancing, and singing, but Tiera always returned back to music. “My parents really encouraged us to try everything until we figured out what we wanted to do, and I always just went back to music.”

After writing her first song in high school and teaching herself how to play guitar, Tiera had her heart set on attending Nashville’s Belmont University. However, as plans changed, she ended up attending the University of Northern Alabama for one year on a full-ride scholarship instead, before changing trajectories. “I’m really grateful for my time there,” she explained, “I spent a lot of time in the studio writing and recording. It was kind of where I learned how to write songs and figure out who I was at an artist.”

With that being said, it was there where Tiera really learned her craft as a songwriter. Channeling inspiration from fellow country singers like Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, and Carrie Underwood, she knew then, that her heart was in country music and Nashville was where she belonged. “I fell in love with country music and I realized that Nashville was the place to be if I wanted to do country music, so I would take trips up there with my parents, and I just loved it.”

After making numerous trips down to Music City to play shows at some local venues, Tiera finally convinced her supportive family to make the big move with her. “I had been traveling back and forth before I moved here, and I was really lucky that I knew a couple of people in town, from writers rounds and everything. I felt so at home here. […] Literally, the day I moved, I had a show, and I haven’t stopped since.”

In the last four years, the songstress has managed to be accepted by Nashville’s incredible all-female collective, Song Suffragettes, sign a published dealing with Songs & Daughters, and of course voice her own daily radio show on Apple Country Music called ‘The Tiera Show.’ “It’s crazy, it’s so crazy, I don’t think it caught up to me yet,” Tiera explained when talking about her success over the last few years.

Currently aside from being Songs & Daughters’ flagship songwriter, Tiera is focusing on releasing her own music. After several writes with her producer Cameron Bedell, she finally selected “Found It In You” as her newest single. “We wrote it at the beginning of last year,” she began, adding, “it was really fun writing that song because I didn’t know it was the start of a new chapter for me when we wrote it. I had been searching for my sound for the longest time. I remember he sent me the demo after that writing session, I was like whatever this is, that is exactly the direction I want to go with my music.” Tiera later referred to the song as her “song baby” and how proud she is to be releasing such an impactful and personal tune.

Fans can look forward to more new music from Tiera coming out later this year. She even hinted at an acoustic version of “Found It In You” coming up the pipeline sometime soon. Moreover, fans can be sure to have music that speaks to who the singer is now as a person, which makes it extra special, “I feel like for the first time, I am able to release some music that is congruent to who I am as a person now.”

Whatever the case is, we are sure that Tiera is primed for much success in the industry, so make sure to keep her on your radar and on your playlists!

To keep up with Tiera, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. Specially selected foundations that support our heroes will receive donations from each purchase. Honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice is what we are dedicated to.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Singer-Songwriter Tiera Drops New Song, “Found It In You”

October 16, 2020/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Tiera’s new single, “Found It In You” is available now, October 16th on all streaming platforms. Take a look below as we dig a little deeper into the track.

Songs & Daughters‘ Tiera released a new song, “Found It In You.” The brand new track is the perfect introduction, to who the songstress is as a singer-songwriter. After hustling in Nashville for what seems like forever, Tiera is finally getting the recognition and praise she deserves for her one of a kind talent.

“You’re the phone call picking up in the middle of the night / You’re the patience I don’t have when things ain’t right / You’re the ‘you can do it baby’ even when I don’t wanna try / My mama always said that really good love is just hard to find / But I found it in you”

The new song is one of those songs that is both a jam, yet sentimental. Although romantic and a love song at heart, it is a track that could easily be stripped down to acoustics and convey a different, yet equally impactful message. In our exclusive interview with Tiera, she shared how the song came to fruition, co-writing it with her producer Cameron Bedell.

Tiera “Found It In You”

“We wrote it at the beginning of last year,” she began, adding, “it was really fun writing that song because I didn’t know it was the start of a new chapter for me when we wrote it. I had been like searching for my sound for the longest time. I remember he [Bedell] sent me the demo after that writing session. I was like whatever this is, that is exactly the direction I want to go with my music.”

It’s safe to say that the singer-songwriter’s new song, “Found It In You” is a certified bop. It is story-telling at it’s best, but could truly interest fans across many different genres. Kudos to Tiera for releasing music that is authentic to who she is. We cannot wait for more!

To keep up with Tiera, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Written By: Nicolle Galyon – The Hit Songs You Know, by the Songwriters You May Not Know

October 6, 2020/in Blog, Written By /by Lucie Bernheim

Nicolle Galyon is the first songwriter that we are highlighting in a new series, “Written By: The Hit Songs You Know, By The Songwriters You May Not Know.”

Nicolle Galyon

Over the years, country music has changed in many ways. No matter how the trends sonically differ, one thing always remains consistent: solid songwriting. Songwriters are truly the heartbeat behind the genre and the vibrant Music City. Nicolle Galyon, the insanely talented hitmaker and record label executive, is one of the most successful and truly artistic writers there is. This month, NYCS is spotlighting Nicolle Galyon’s discography – specifically, focusing on 10 of the songs that she’s written, produced, and on occasion, sung.

1. “Automatic”, Miranda Lambert (Platinum)

Galyon had a handful of cuts before this one-of-a-kind Miranda Lambert cut, but it wasn’t until this song that she became one of the most sought-after writers in country music. It’s the song that kickstarted her entire career. The song came to be after a conversation that she, Miranda, and fellow writer Natalie Hemby had in the studio. “That day… we started talking about girls moving to Nashville, and how they get frustrated after five seconds if they don’t have a record deal,” she told iHeartRadio. “We started giving our Nashville testimonies… and from there [the lyrics] sort of fell out.” “Automatic” went on to earn Nicolle her first of many #1’s, as well as her very first ACM award.

2. “I’ve Done Love”, Jana Kramer

Something particularly special about this cut is that not only did Galyon have a hand in writing it, but it’s the first song she produced. “I’m so proud of this song it hurts,” she shared in an Instagram post back in 2017. While this song never hit radio airwaves, it has over 3 million streams alone on Spotify, and it’s clear that this song means a lot to fans.

3. “It Ain’t Pretty”, Lady A (Golden) + Martina McBride (Reckless)

Prior to her breakthrough hit with Miranda Lambert, Galyon scored a cut on Lady A’s monster album Golden. While never a single, it’s one of the band’s most popular deep cuts. Getting one cut is a big deal, but she struck gold when three years later, Martina McBride recorded it for her 13th studio album, Reckless. Later that year, Nicolle released her very first EP, The Worktapes. which features the demo of “It Ain’t Pretty”.

4. “All The Pretty Girls”, Kenny Chesney (Cosmic Hallelujah)

Every songwriter has a bucket-list cut, and for Galyon, it was Kenny Chesney. “Dear Nicolle in line at Fan Fair to meet Kenny Chesney in 1997: Just wait,” she captioned an Instagram post. “You’re gonna have a Kenny Chesney single in 2017. Sincerely, Your Wildest Dreams.” The feel-good jam went on to be her third number one and one of Chesney’s most popular singles from the last decade. Galyon co-wrote the song with Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Osborne, the latter of which cut the demo and released it in honor of the 2018 AIMP Awards.

5. “Heartland”, Hailey Whitters (The Dream)

One of Nicolle Galyon’s most defining characteristics is her Heartland roots. Born and raised in Kansas, there are few things that make her feel more proud. Hailey Whitters, who also happens to be Galyon’s all-female label, Songs & Daughters, latest artist signee, released the ethereal “Heartland”, which Gaylon had a hand in writing. “I’m so glad Hailey came along and keeps letting me right straight into midwest bliss with her,” she wrote on Instagram describing the song. It’s a true testament to who Galyon is at her core.

6. “Consequences”, Camila Cabello (Camila)

Nashville is one of the rare cities where artists really do take into account outside cuts. In the pop world, they happen, but less frequently. “Consequences”, is a stunning piano ballad that Galyon wrote alongside Amy Wadge and Emily Weisband. “So glad Ed Sheeran pitched the piano-vocal to Camila on the other side of the friggin globe without our knowing it,” she wrote on Instagram. “Consequences” went on to win an iHeartRadio award and became Galyon’s first official pop hit.

7. “Boy”, Lee Brice (Lee Brice)

“They say write what you know,” Galyon captioned an Instagram post about Lee Brice’s “Boy”. Co-written with Jon Nite is an incredibly special love song from a parent to a son. “It was the last song I wrote before I had my son… that song was really honest and powerful for me personally,” she told Sounds Like Nashville in an interview. Brice released it as his first single from his self-titled album, and although it’s a song that didn’t hit #1, it will always be one of the most memorable and important songs in his catalog.

8. “homecoming queen?”, Kelsea Ballerini (kelsea + ballerini)

The lead single from Kelsea Ballerini’s third studio album, kelsea, was the evocative “homecoming queen?”, a song less about actual homecoming queens and more about how hard putting on a front for everyone around you truly is. “It’s about waking up to yourself. And making sure the outside matches the inside,” she shared on Instagram. Kelsea and Nicolle collaborate often together, and in some ways, it’s like Kelsea’s artistry is an extension of Nicolle’s writing. They did a stunning rendition of the song for YouTube Music, and it’s incredibly touching.

9. “House With No Mirrors”, Sasha Sloan (Only Child)

Another one of Galyon’s dream writes was with indie-pop artist Sasha Sloan, and the week before the world shut down due to COVID, that write happened, and “House With No Mirrors” was born. It’s a soft, yet gut-punching song about battling body and self-esteem issues and wishing you lived in a house with no mirrors so you didn’t have to see your reflection. Galyon herself has battled these issues. “When the world came to a screeching halt this year, I realized the war I started back in 2003 with my body had not yet been won,” she posted on Instagram. It’s such an important message that isn’t discussed in songs enough, and Galyon was brave enough to go there, and hopefully help other young girls down the line.

10. “Tequila”, Dan + Shay (Dan + Shay)

Perhaps the most defining moment in Galyon’s songwriting career so far was the release of Dan + Shay’s powerful smash “Tequila”. Although a fantastic song, it’s nearly impossible to have imagined that it would have the life that it does – over 300 million streams, GRAMMY & ACM nominations, radio airplay in multiple genres… the list goes on.

Since the release of “Tequila”, Galyon has continued to write some of the greatest songs of the last decade, and it’s clear she’s just getting started.

To keep up with Nicolle Galyon, you can find her on Instagram here.

To listen to some of Nicolle Galyon’s discography, you can find the playlist here.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

Danielle Bradbery Unveils New Song “Girls In My Hometown”

September 26, 2020/in Blog, New Music, News /by Erica Zisman

Danielle Bradbery released a brand new song, “Girls In My Hometown” available on all streaming platforms now.

One good thing that has come out of 2020 is Danielle Bradbery’s return to music. The Voice winner and country songstress broke her music silence with the captivating song “Never Have I Ever,” and now she is showcasing her talent yet again in “Girls In My Hometown.”

We first heard this ballad back at Country Radio Seminar, (CRS) during one of the many exclusive industry showcases. The live version blew us away and this newly recorded version certainly does it justice. “Girls In My Hometown” is a poignant tune about feeling jaded and nostalgic about life and wondering about the people from your past.

This song is honest and relatable and truly showcases how women feel all the time in life. Written by one of our favorite songwriters, Nicolle Galyon, along with Josh Osborne and Emily Weisband, the lyrics are just as profound, as the vocals, and the acoustic arrangement.

“Are they getting married / Are they getting jaded / When they think 17 do they think of me and wonder if I made it / Are they really happy / Are they making daddy proud / What makes them cry, what gets them high / I think about the girls in my hometown”

Bradbery outdoes herself with this song, as she really leans into her vulnerability. She poses questions that many of us have experienced ourselves, which truly shows the beautify of universality on this track. We give credit to the songstress for expanding her artistry!

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

To keep up with Danielle Bradbery, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

“Girls In My Hometown” is now 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police, and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

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Exclusive Interview: Nicolle Galyon & Landyn Hutchinson “All The Things”

May 8, 2020/in Blog, Interviews /by Christina Bosch

Earlier this week we spoke with lifestyle influencer Landyn Hutchinson and songwriter extraordinaire Nicolle Galyon about the theme song to Landyn’s new podcast being released this Monday, being working moms and how important it is to follow your dreams. The two business owners, mothers, friends, and creatives met in 2011 in Nashville before either of their businesses had really taken off. “Landyn has been my ambition twin…you have different things in common with different friends and my overlap with Landyn is that I feel like, we are equally ambitious and go about our dreams and curiosity in the same way,” Nicolle explains. “I think that is one thing about us, we both know what it takes behind the scenes and we do kind of, know what one another is thinking, ” Landyn echos the sentiment.

Many country music fans know of Nicolle Galyon and or at least, know the incredible songs she has written and we have highlighted her career as one of our Women of the Month last year but for those who don’t follow Living with Landyn, you are missing out. She uses her platform of social media to connect with women, and men, across the country and makes you truly feel like you are her best friend. She has built a following of over 200k people on Instagram who look forward to her hilarious banter, her delicious recipes, her adorable dog Jack, and hearing about her loving 8th grade sweetheart turned husband Steve, and her two beautiful children, Lily and Luke. Whether she is sharing the best skin care products or a Target steal, you always know that if she loves it, you will love it too. She is real with her followers, there is no facade or filters to make her life look perfect, you feel like you want to share her victories and when she bares her soul and cries about something, you feel her pain too. After pursuing and opening her own brick and mortar store right in her hometown of Nashville last year, Landyn is ready to make another career dream come true, a podcast.

Photo Credit: Mary Craven

“I only deliver authenticity, it’s me, it’s raw, it’s what I’m talking about, what I’m thinking about. I want people to walk away with something that can make them think,” Landyn says of the podcast. “Whether its a recipe, an easy entertaining idea, something about marriage or raising kids. I’ll have people on like my husband, my mom, my daughter, my esthetician, my gynecologist, to my dermatologist, I think things we are all curious about and real-life honest conversations.”

The first Living with Landyn podcast will be available each Monday and on Fridays, she will release a short Q&A, similar to her popular ‘Hey Landyn’ segment from Instagram where she will answer specific questions that her followers submit.

The theme song, “All The Things” was written before the podcast even came to fruition by Nicolle along with Grammy award-winning songwriter Lori McKenna.”Lori is a Landyn groupie, I was calling her like ‘I’m a Landyn fan, you’re a Landyn fan, we should just do this to surprise her’,” Nicolle reveals about writing the song. “What do you get the girl that tells everyone what to get, you write her a song because that’s really is all there is left to give.”

The track, also sung by Nicolle, is a true testament to not only their unwavering friendship but every girl with a best friend can relate to these lyrics. “I love all the things you are, all the good and bad, all the happy, sad / all the real, real life parts / you’re a mess, perfect, take a breath, make it work, it ain’t that hard / cause I love all the things you are”.

Photo Credit: Blythe Thomas

Showcasing the real, real life is what Landyn does best and so the lyrics to this cheerful theme song fit her brand perfectly. “We just really tried to write something that makes you feel how you feel when you go to Landyn’s page, or when she gives you the morning announcements, ‘bright-eyed, sun, and whimsical, like anything is possible, quick thinking so hard about everything and just enjoy your life’ feeling,” Nicolle continues.

Finally, with Mother’s Day approaching this weekend we spoke about the importance of being a mother as well as making the decision to pursue and follow a dream while their daughters get to see and experience life’s failures and victories right alongside them. “Being a mother has shown me who I am, it’s just like a giant mirror up to my face every day and if I am a creative person and I want to be as authentic as possible and motherhood keeps you grounded and authentic, you can not be a faker and be a mom,” Nicolle reveals. “I feel like I have the opportunity, I think my North Star is trying to live the life that I would want for my daughter, by doing that I somehow give myself permission to dream bigger than I would if I was just thinking about it for myself.

Landyn’s daughter Lily who just started high school takes an active role in all things Living with Landyn, supporting her mom, and even taking the initiative to write her own blog posts and take over her Instagram for a week. “It’s been really neat to watch, I’ve even watched her put more into things that she is been doing just because she sees the passion in it and the hard work,” Landyn tells us. “I am very open about failing and feeling down and feeling defeated and having fear, getting back up again I can certainly hide her from those things but I think it’s important for her to go through all of it, experience it with me and for her to see that you can do hard things.”

Be sure to catch Living with Landyn the podcast this Monday and to keep up with Landyn follow her on Instagram and to keep up with Nicolle Galyon follow her on Instagram.

“All The Things” 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police, and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook:

NYCS First Impression Kelsea Ballerini Releases ‘kelsea’

March 20, 2020/in Blog /by Lucie Bernheim

Some might say a debut album is most important; it’s the introduction. Some might say the sophomore album is most crucial; it’s where you prove you survived the “slump”. But perhaps an artists’ third album is the most prominent. It’s where an artist really comes into themselves and their sound. Kelsea Ballerini’s new album, kelsea, proves to be just that: self-aware.

“I had to get to know myself at 26 and realize that I’m not the same person who wrote the first or second albums,” Ballerini told The Washington Post. “I still have bits of that confidence and that swagger in this album. But it’s definitely paired with a lot more truth-telling.”

The opener is “overshare”, where Ballerini sings, “Momma says, that I never met a stranger/Strange thing is everybody’s strangers”. All about sharing a little too much, it takes on a similar approach to Thomas Rhett’s “Life Changes”. She paints the picture with humorous anecdotes and is sure not to take herself too seriously. Ballerini wrote the track with Jesse Frasure (a writer on “Life Changes”), Josh Osborne and Tayla Parx. As she explains all of this, she continues to overshare, even if it’s “TMI”.

Insecurity and reflection anchor both sides of the record. On songs like “needy” and “love me like a girl”, she dives into the feeling of being secure enough as an individual to need her significant other. “You’ve never needed anybody, but now you need me/I was the same/But things have changed/I’m needy.” She has established boundaries, and she knows when she wants to change them. The previously released “homecoming queen” served as the lead single and is a refreshing and beautifully simple take on self-worth.

A standout on the record is the heart-wrenching ballad “love and hate”. Penned by Ballerini, Ross Copperman, and Ed Sheeran, the track is about how humans walk the line between love and hate. Her vocals are stunning, and the harmonic strings soar throughout, making for a pixelating experience.

Ballerini has two collaborations on kelsea, one with indie-popstar Halsey and the other with legendary country superstar Kenny Chesney. “the other girl” is a glitzy and ominous story about two girls figuring out which one is the “other girl” in their shared partner’s mind. “I bet you’re bold/I bet that’s why/You seem to occupy his mind/I bet you’re smart/But do you know about me?” Ballerini sings on the first verse. What’s special about it is that neither girl blames the other, and neither is bitter – it’s simply introspective. Ballerini and Halsey’s voices blend well together, creating a sound that is equal parts curious and hurt.

“half of my hometown” is the moment on kelsea. It’s an ode to Ballerini’s hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, and and pays homage to those who are as lost as they are found about where they stand as they grow up. In both “la” and “half of my hometown”, Ballerini seems to be pulled in two different directions. It was written in Florida with the incredible Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman and Jimmy Robbins (the fivesome now calls their writing group The Wet Dandelions, according to Ballerini’s live stream). Chesney, a Knoxville-native as well, appeared on Ballerini’s live stream March 19th to discuss his connection to the song. “It spoke to me in a lot of ways… [reminded me] of how I grew up, the streets I drove down, because, when I listened to that song and it just reminded me so much of my own family, the struggles I experienced when I first left,” Chesney explained. This reflects perfectly in the slow, nostalgic guitar-driven tune. “The other half of my hometown/They all got out/Some went north/Some went south/Still lookin’ for a feelin’ half of us ain’t found/So stay or leave/Part of me will always be/Half of my hometown”. Regardless if this becomes a single, this will always be a pivotal part of Ballerini’s catalog in years to come.

“la” wraps the album up, which is a deeply personal poem-set-to-music that Ballerini wrote herself. What’s special about Ballerini as a songwriter is that everyone can find their story within hers. It extends beyond universality – she is just like the rest of us. In a song like “la”, you can hear her struggle, and it’s so easy to empathize with.

Ballerini notes several times throughout the album that she always has something to say. Sometimes it’s to the wrong people at the right time. But often, it’s coming straight from her heart and it needs to be said. She’s as glittery and envelope-pushing as she is transparent and sincere creating the perfect balance. She’s found her way, and now she wants to re-introduce herself to you. On that note, it’s nice to meet you again, Kelsea.

kelsea by Kelsea Ballerini Tracklist:

overshare
club
homecoming queen?
the other girl (with Halsey)
love me like a girl
love and hate
bragger
hole in the bottle
half of my hometown (feat. Kenny Chesney)
the way I used to
needy
a country song
la

NYCS Staff Picks:

love and hate
half of my hometown
the way i used to
needy

To keep up with Kelsea Ballerini, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

kelsea 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.

—————

SHOP THE HERO COLLECTION

The Hero Collection by NYCountry Swag is inspired by the men and women of the Fire, Police and Military Departments across the country. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to different foundations that support our heroes. We are dedicated to honoring their service and remembering their sacrifice.

—————————-

Thank You for supporting Country Music in NYC & Beyond!

Subscribe to our Weekly Round-Up here
for ticket giveaways, meet & greet contests, upcoming events,
and all things country music in the New York metro area and beyond!

+ Follow our country music adventures on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

3rd Annual NYCountry Swag Presents Babes, Booze & Brunch Recap

March 13, 2020/in Blog /by Christina Bosch

Sunday, March 8th NYCountry Swag celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting our annual Babes, Booze & Brunch event at Refinery Rooftop. The weather was absolutely perfect, 60 and sunny, which allowed the rooftop’s glass atrium to open overhead, making the views of the Empire State Building particularly excellent.

Our VIP guests arrived early to enjoy a delicious brunch buffet and build their own mimosa and bloody marys, powered by Tito’s Vodka and Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack. DJ Mouse provided female empowered focused music while our guests dined and took in the views.

This year was our biggest and best event yet, partnering with Nicolle Galyon and her female-focused record label, Songs & Daughters. After a quick introduction from NYCountry Swag’s Stephanie and Christina thanking our sponsors, Galyon took the stage to speak about how through the course of her life she went from being a tomboy to really discovering her girly side after she became a mother.

Her thoughtful words about NYCountry Swag and our women-run company inspired the crowd and she told the epic story about how when she first heard our 2020 Artist to Watch and featured artist of the day, Madison Kozak that she decided to start a record label just so she could work with her.

She was excited to introduce her flagship artist to the room full of women who probably hadn’t heard her perform live before. Kozak took the stage next and sang “Little Bit Of You”, “Click”, “First Last Name”, “Phases” as well as her current single “OMG ILY”. She also got the crowd singing along with covers of “Beautiful Soul” by Jesse McCartney, John Denver’s “Country Roads, Take Me Home” mashed with Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” and closed out her incredible 60-minute acoustic set with the ultimate girl power anthem, Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”.

After her set, DJ Mouse spun some of the best music created by females across genres as our guests stopped by our braid bar hosted by Hair by SavLeann, nail art station by Art Nail NYC, Henna with Naty by Nature and took pictures in our photo booth.

Check out a full video recap of the event here:

We want to thank each of our sponsors, each of our guests, and the incredible team over at Songs & Daughters including Nicolle Galyon and Madison Kozak for celebrating International Women’s Day with us!

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