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The video for ‘Blowin’ Smoke’, which is only Kacey’s second,
is one that I was very much looking forward to. I hoped that Kacey would treat
it with the same level of understated dry wit that she treats her music and
this song in particular with, and luckily my wishes came true. The desaturation
and vintage crackling film lines that we saw in the video for ‘Merry Go Round’
reappear here, flicking between color and black-and-white, with the
characteristic clinks of glasses and plates that can be heard in the song
elongated and emphasized. As the song tells a vivid story in itself there was
not much need to deviate from that, and certainly Kacey merely builds on what
she has already written.
Hoping to cash in on Kacey Musgraves' newfound popularity, Austin-based independent record label Triple Play has released a two-song digital EP to iTunes featuring songs Kacey recorded five years ago in 2008.
The EP features Kacey performing acoustic guitar cover versions of the songs See You Again and Apologize, a previously unreleased recording. Fans of Kacey may recognize the songs, both of which were recorded when Kacey first got out of high school, as she sometimes covers them in concert.
“They’re just acoustic songs, but they showcase Kacey’s developing performing talent, which has now made her famous. She took these songs and made them her own,” says Triple Pop rep, Joseph Mills.
Listen for free to the full stream of Apologize on Soundcloud.
Kacey's just released full length album, "Same Trailer Different Park," was released on March 19 and is currently getting rave reviews. Fans can purchase "Same Trailer Different Park" from iTunes and Amazon.
‘Blowin’ Smoke’ continues where ‘Merry Go Round’ left off,
putting Kacey’s storytelling skills to the test and displaying her penchant for
glaring honesty and creating real small-town characters. This track is from the
point of view of diner waitresses, and the description is image-heavy and
powerful, “we're all out here
talkin' trash, makin' bets, lips wrapped round our cigarettes”. The lyrics
are interesting, narrative-specific and insightful, “Brenda's tradin' smokes for cake, still
hadn't lost that baby weight, and that
baby's 'bout to graduate from college”,
Kacey’s wry smile almost audible through her vocals.
The single
announcement comes as a surprise; at CRS week Kacey debuted ‘Follow Your Arrow’
a chirpy, cheeky, down-to-Earth track about making your own way and not caring
what others think, including a significant stab of support of gay
relationships. All the buzz was about this song and almost every album review
has focused on it, social media gleefully wondering how traditional Nashville
will take such a song and where it will sit at country radio. But perhaps Kacey
and her record label decided to play it safe – for now.
Having said that,
‘Blowin’ Smoke’ is far from a ‘safe’ choice for most artists. It hides behind
nothing. Smoke and mirrors are not Kacey’s style. The lyrics “wipe down the bar, take out the trash,
light one up and count my cash, swear I'm never
comin' back again” probably hit a little too close to home for a huge
number of the population, never mind the real-life versions of the song’s waitresses. It is further proof that Kacey is going to tell the truth no matter how real it
is, and helps her live up to the hype of saving the current mainstream country
scene, full of good ole country boy myths and romanticized southern life. This
is quintessentially country music at its best; no pretences or falsities, just
real, ordinary people. I don’t think that can be emphasized enough. Yes, Kacey is probably making a joke of these women. But she’s laughing at herself too.
Musically the song is full of
dirty guitars, banjo and a driving bassline that you could do more than tap
your foot to. It’s an irresistible beat that only adds to the beauty of it, and
the amateur-feel shouty chorused parts reinforce the narrative perhaps even
more than the background mutter of customers and clangs of plates that is so
instantly meaningful in its setting. Kacey’s vocals have an edge to them here,
but she still doesn’t try to over-sing. Slightly melancholic, and resigned to
the fate of the character, her vocals are punchy and slide between notes,
showcasing her ability to play with tempo. This song is different to much of
country radio, and I am worried no-one will ‘get’ it. But if everyone really
knows a good song when they hear it, well this song is fun, honest, and just a
damn good tune, to sing and dance to. Is it the best song to follow ‘Merry Go
Round’? Maybe not. But it will certainly make you smile.
Maybe I fall into the trap of
lauding Kacey because everyone else is. It’s easy to, after all. But I stand by
my claims. She’s not saving mainstream country on her own, of course not. But
she’s definitely doing her bit, and I for one love it.
You can listen to ‘Blowin’ Smoke’
here:
Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog
it's For The Country
Record, and you can follow me on
twitter @planmymistake. You can email
me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.
Blake Shelton
continues his successful run at the top of the charts this week with ‘Sure
Be Cool If You Did’, remaining at #1 on both Hot Country Songs and Country
Airplay. He has been knocked down to #2
on Country Digital Songs by Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ however, which no
doubt was helped by the release of the music video this past week. It is also
sitting at #2 on Hot Country Songs, just behind Mr Shelton, but trails behind
at #13 on Country Airplay, although this is the song’s radio peak thus far and
it’s still climbing. Also near the top
this week is Lady Antebellum and ‘Downtown’, at #4 on Country Airplay, #3
on Hot Country Songs and #4 on Country Digital Songs, as well as Hunter Hayes
with ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’, at #2 on Country Airplay, #7 on Hot Country
Songs, but down to #21 on Country Digital Songs.
Miranda Lambert is
around this spot too with ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, #4 on Hot Country Songs,
#3 on Country Digital Songs, and #8 on Country Airplay. Her album, ‘Four The
Record’ is at #13. Lee Brice’s ‘I Drive
Your Truck’ remains around the top 10 across the charts, with #3 on Country
Airplay, #6 on Hot Country Songs and #11 on Country Digital Songs, with the
album ‘Hard 2 Love’ at #14. It’s been a
good week for George Strait, as ‘Give It All We Got Tonight’ is now at #14
on Hot Country Songs, #11 on Country Airplay and #9 on Country Digital Songs,
and Florida Georgia Line own the Country
Digital Songs chart, with ‘Cruise’ at #7 and their latest single ‘Get Your
Shine On’ at #5. The latter also jumps up to #5 on Hot Country Songs and #10 on
Country Airplay. ‘Here’s To The Good Times’ is at #3 on Top Country Albums.
Good news for all
those Kacey Musgraves fans out there, as her critically lauded new album ‘Same
Trailer Different Park’ debuts at #1 on the chart, while the lead single ‘Merry
Go Round’ enjoys an 8-place leap to #10 on Country Digital Songs. She knocks
Luke Bryan’s ‘Spring Break… Here To Party’ off the top spot, while the promo
single from it, ‘Buzzkill’ drops 9 places to #25 on Country Digital Songs. Another new release this week, Justin
Moore’s ‘Point At You’ comes in at #18 on Country Digital Songs.
Others in respectable
positions on the charts this week include Carrie Underwood, Chris Young,
Thompson Square, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Little Big Town,
Jason Aldean, Eric Church and The Band Perry.
Check out my chart roundup next week to see where Blake
Shelton’s ‘Based On A True Story’ charts, and whether it can knock golden girl
Kacey Musgraves off the top spot.
Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog
it's For The Country
Record, and you can follow me on
twitter @planmymistake. You can email
me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.
Mercury Nashville singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves released her debut album
Same Trailer Different Park on March 19 and this week it sits at the No.
1 position on the Billboard Country Chart and No. 2 on the Billboard
Top 200 Chart with 43,496 units sold. Same Trailer Different Park was
co-written by Kacey and co-produced with Shane McAnally and Luke
Laird.
On April 7 CBS
Sunday Morning will air a profile on the 24-year old singer/songwriter
filmed in Texas and Nashville. Later that day Kacey will attend the 48th
Annual Academy of Country Music Awards held in Las Vegas on April 7 where
she holds THREE nominations; nominations include FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR and
VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Artist & Producer). She had previously received a
nomination for New Female Vocalist.Publish
Eric Church is excited that Kacey Musgraves has joined the party. As is the Country Music Association, who had a curve ball thrown at them last year when Kelly Clarkson was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. Not that Kelly isn't an exceptional talent, but the nod showed an obvious lack of great (not to be confused with good) female acts in the format.
“The main thing I like about Kacey is it's very musical.
There’s so many other things that go on in entertainment from television
to stuff – whether it be what you look like or how you act, all these
things. I love stuff that’s musical, regardless of anything else. And I
feel like she’s somebody – she’s played a lot of bars, a lot of clubs,
she’s done some stuff in Texas, she’s played those dives. I like what
she listens to. I like her taste in music. I heard a song of hers – ‘My
Idea of Heaven is to Burn One With John Prine,’ and I was sold when I
heard that. I’m a huge Prine fan, so she had me then. I’m really good
friends with her co-producer, Luke Laird. We’ve wrote songs together.
‘Drink in My Hand’ was our first number-one. It was written with Luke.
And Luke’s the guy who said, ‘You would dig what we’re doing. You’d dig
where this girl comes from. You’d dig her as a writer.’ A lot of it is
just her personal taste and the kind of stuff I’m hearing. It just
sounds different. It sounds fresh for country radio. It sounds like
she’s in her spot already, and I think that’s the key as a new artist –
you’ve got to find your lane, you’ve got to find your spot and don’t get
out of it, and I think she’s off to at least a great start at being
able to do that.”
Here's the song Eric mentions:
I hear the track will be on Kacey's debut album, which is due out March 19.
Gary Allan’s had a
great week with his hugely successful single ‘Every Storm (Runs Out Of
Rain)’ jumping up to #1 from #2 on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay
charts, with it shooting from #4 to #1 on Country Digital Songs. Overall this
song has been on the chart a respectable 22 weeks with seemingly many more to
come. If that isn’t enough, his newly released album ‘Set You Free’ that the
aforementioned hit is from has debuted at #1 on Top Country Albums, making for
a clean sweep from the 45-year-old California native.
‘Better Dig Two’ from
The Band Perry is continuing to do well, up to #3 on Country Airplay and #2
on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs. While there is still two months
to wait until their as-yet-untitled sophomore album is released on April 2nd,
we can be sure with the success of the lead-off single that it will dominate
the charts in a similar way. Randy
Houser’s also enjoying a successful time with the release of his album ‘How
Country Feels’, going straight in at #3 on Top Country Albums, the title track moving
up to #6 on Hot Country Songs and #4 on Country Airplay (on the chart for 40
weeks!), shooting, surprisingly, from #15 to #6 this week on Country Digital
Songs.
Other key figures on
the chart this week include Hunter Hayes, whose mega-hit ‘Wanted’ is still
sitting pretty at #3 on Hot Country Songs and #4 on Country Digital Songs, his
self-titled album dropping to #8 on Top Country Albums. Florida Georgia Line
also aren’t looking too shabby, ‘Cruise’ remaining at #4 on Hot Country Songs
but dropping to #5 on Country Digital Songs. Their album, ‘Here’s To The Good
Times’ drops from #2 to #4 on Top Country Albums. As for climbers, ‘The Only
Way I Know’, the country/rap release from Jason Aldean, Eric Church and Luke
Bryan, is making its way up all charts, the album it’s taken from, Jason’s ‘Night
Train’, remaining at #5 on Top Country Albums for its 15th week on
the chart.
So, as everyone’s adjusting to the idea of it being 2013,
and the coming events of the new year, I thought I’d take you through some of
the new artists and new releases of 2013, and what I’m most looking forward to
etc (as if I’m a tastemaker, ha). Read away for the lowdown.
Albums I’m Looking Forward To:
Ashley
Monroe – Like A Rose
I began listening to Ashley back in about 2007 on MySpace, then my life moved
on and I forgot about her, only to rediscover her every so often as the
credited songwriter on an album sleeve, and finally when the Pistol Annies were
formed. Their 2011 album, ‘Hell On Heels’ was amazing and I really hoped that
Ashley would also consider making her own music again. The announcement came a
few months ago when Ashley posted a new song, the title track, on her Twitter,
stating that her album would be released 18th December. I loved the
new song and was excited to hear the record BUT then Ashley and Vince Gill (who
happens to be her producer) wrote a new song and the release date was pushed
back until 5th March. I was gutted, but I am now counting down the
days until I can finally hear this long-overdue life-affirming release from
such a prolific songwriter of country music.
Kacey
Musgraves – TBA
I’ve never watched Nashville Star (occupational hazard of living in the UK) so
I had never heard of Kacey Musgraves before this year, and although I had
vaguely heard the name, it wasn’t until the beginning of December that I
finally listened to ‘Merry Go Round’. That’s it, I was hooked, I researched
her, wrote articles, bought the track and if my iPhone was counting the number
of times I have played it, it without exaggeration would be in excess of 70 or
80, at least. My favorite country release of the year. Very little album
information has been released so far but it does at least seem it will be this
year it comes out, although that is little consolation for someone like me who
absolutely cannot wait. Watch this space.
Kacey Musgraves is fairly new on the scene despite her stint
on 2007’s Nashville Star, where she initially got her break. She’s recorded
albums independently before and featured on the 2011 single ‘Oh, Tonight’ with
Josh Abbott Band, but ‘Merry Go Round’ is her first big single, and big it is
definitely set to be. It was released back in September along with its
vintage-inspired nostalgic video, but its peak at #28 on the country charts
just doesn’t do justice for this song. So if you didn’t already know about it,
I’m here to tell you about it.
‘Merry Go Round’ is a sweet tribute to small town life with
a subliminal bitter twist that, if we are to undertake a romantic notion, underlies
the hearts of all those born and raised in small towns. “It ain’t what you
want, it’s what you know” sums up the tale of this song, which is supported by
heavy use of the banjo, nice to see in a song these days. There is also an
acoustic guitar, elements of piano, something which sounds like strings put on
delay, and a light shuffle-type beat on drums, if you could even say proper
drums. This song is light personified, and the simple loops and riffs played by
each of the instruments combine to fill a sound in space that is light,
inoffensive and promotes a carefree mood and attitude. Some songs are characterized
by their instruments, others are merely supported by their instruments. Here
Kacey constructs a mood and a soundscape that does not pick out one single
instrument, and that I will be honest and say since I have purchased a few days
ago, have probably listened to in excess of fifty to sixty times. I’ve been
listening on repeat in the shower, walking to university, sitting on the train,
and simply around the house.
. 
