"My fear is that now music is everywhere with platforms and magic is lost!"

Guy Bélanger: Voyages & Other Stories

Quebec’s popular harmonica player/songwriter Guy Bélanger presents VOYAGES & OTHER STORIES (2023), his seventh solo album. The album contains elements of blues as well as subtle touches of funk…

"It is about having your health. Feeling good and your body working well enough to make music. Music is very physical, takes a lot to play and instrument and sing. Life can be a struggle and people use drugs, liquor and bad relationships to cope. That stuff just breaks you down and you can't go on. Your music and voice is not as good if you do not take care of yourself."

Brad "Guitar"…

"Most popular music today is all fluff with no substance. No one sings about love, and I think that is what's been lost on today's music. People sing about fucking, their giant asses, how cool they are, who they beat up, raped or killed, how gangster they are, calling women hoes and bitches."

George Kapitanellis: Bergenfield Blues

New…

"I think that music creates community, and allows the listener to feel connection on a spiritual level, you can’t see it, but you can feel it, and that’s an element of healing that is a timeless gem. In addition to this, I also hope that music positively inspires all who experience it."

Arwen Lewis: Music Under the Stars

Technically, Arwen Lewis…

"I think the blues is due for a comeback with younger people in an over-tech, digital world. People crave real things and experiences, and I think the blues is that. I see it more when I travel than here in the states, where audiences are older. I try to find places that don’t generally hire blues bands, even if it’s for less money. Just to expose younger audiences. And I try to always help if a younger artist needs anything. Should and probably will do…

"There are so many varieties of music today that I think there is something for everyone. I hope that people who listen to my records understand the importance of living the human experience. Life is short so embrace it all, the good and the bad. Without hard times, we can’t appreciate the good times, so I try to approach music with that same self-reflection and a little humor mixed in. Hopefully that concept is something the listener can connect with. I’ve…

"The most important lesson that I’ve learned on my musical path is just to be honest about your music, be loyal to your following and put forth your best efforts because you’re an influencer and that is not to be taken for granted."

William Bell: The Soul Legend

The man who co-wrote one of the most covered songs in blues/rock music history is also…

"I'm still learning all the time, but I've seen that music can be something that unites people and connects us with something bigger than ourselves. It's important that we connect with the raw experience of life, rather than always trying to define ourselves, and the moment of experiencing music you connect with is truly freeing. That's what I'm trying to create in my shows and in my music."

Eric…

"While music cannot stop the horrors occurring in our world, it can lead us to the practice of communicating better and with humanness to the degree that constructive dialogue continues to occur.  Art is for all, and I’ve always known that music can affect change. I want the music on this album to give us a place to focus our attention on what it means to be human together. The intention is to replace any pictures of dystopia with visions of…

"I do miss the tremendous originality that blossomed in the late 60’s and 70’s. Digitization wreaked havoc on the industry and although it’s come back, I’m not sure it’s come back better. We don’t follow fads too closely preferring to continue on our own musical path."

Terry Medd: Welcome in the Bluesland

Western Canada’s The Bluesland Horn Band…

"I think music has a huge impact on life and culture. Take a look at Nirvana and the whole grunge music movement, they shaped fashion, music, and a whole lifestyle. In my experience, music can save people from horrible situations."

Eric Heideman: Third Degree Gravity

Eric Heideman is a young musician from Salt Lake City, Utah.…

"I miss most the authenticity. The rawness. We try to perfect every little thing in today's music. The subtle mistakes made in yesterday's music were what I call "good mistakes" that the listener most likely doesn't even recognize lol. My fear is that music will become so synthesized that it'll be robotic. That's why I love the blues because it still has it's rawness and authenticity. The live instruments just bring a different feel and future hopes are for…

"Be kind. Be humble and helpful. Music is so powerful and moving. It is a weighty responsibility to me, like a super power of sorts. Music sinks into your soul through your ears, it touches the places that light doesn’t reach, it can heal and bring you company in the lonely corners of life. We are all just people people-ing around, trying to make a better place for the people to people after we are gone, music is my way of doing…

"I hope my music is some mixture of that; I hope at least some of my songs make people want to move, and that some of them cause listeners to have an authentic emotional response. People tell me they cry when listening to some of the songs, and while I’m not happy to think of anybody crying, I have to say it’s rewarding to know that I successfully tapped into the emotional pathway that causes a person to respond on that level."…

"Most of the greats are gone, headliners and side people. The level of musicianship is weaker, less inventive. I have no thoughts on the future because of this pandemic. We are living in intense times."

Joanna Connor: The Best Blues Queen

Gulf Coast Records announces a June 9^th release date for Best of…

"Music is the way that I relate to the world. I am admittedly quiet and introverted when I am offstage, but for some reason I have no problem getting on a stage in front of thousands of people and sharing my inner most thoughts. I view the live music experience as a time of shared energy and almost group meditation and therapy."

Selwyn Birchwood: The Oath of The Blues…

"I miss the authentic sound, blues to me now is too rock-ish. I miss when the guitar wasn’t overpowered with gain or distortion and bands had horns and every man shined on stage in a nice suit and uniformed. I also miss the showmanship, the new players like Toronzo Cannon and Eric Gales have that showman ship cause they move and dance a little when they play."

D.K. Harrell: The Right Blues…

"A life well lived to me is having someone you love in your house. And plenty of animals. And few regrets."

Tracy Nelson: Life Don’t Miss Nobody

Tracy Nelson, one of the most powerful voices in American music, has emerged from a lengthy recording hiatus with the album of a lifetime, a musical self-portrait spanning her entire career. Life…

"Blues is about the human condition, life experience, and sharing stories. I was in college in a computer course when I realized I had to go full tilt into music. I guess you could say the fear of doing anything other than music is what changed the path of my life the most."

JW - Jones: Everything About The Blues!…

"I believe music, at certain times in our lives, in society, is one of the ONLY ways to reach and connect with people! We know that from the '60s."

The Refugees: Back To The Roots

Folk/Americana trio The Refugees to release CALIFORNIA, an homage to harmony-focused California bands of the 60s & 70s on May 19th,…