EmiSunshine and the Rain – SIDESHOW
EmiSunshine has released a new album, SIDESHOW, which she produced along with Alisha and Randall Hamilton, Fish Fisher and Chuck Mauk.
EmiSunshine’s latest release has caused quite a stir in the Americana music scene, as her trajectory has developed in the ten years since she appeared on the music scene at 9 years old.
EmiSunshine’s tour manager calling out “It’s just been confirmed! She’s here, now! Alive, alive, alive … it’s EmiSunshine” opens the album with credibility and authenticity, since tour manager “Bones” worked as a carnival barker for thirty years. Then the title track then takes over: “We only work three months a year, so do not apply if you aren’t weird.” A bluegrass style with Emi’s honeyed vocals sounding a bit like Queen Dolly on this one.
“Off the Rails” is a song of what happens when a girl is pushed too far, and hosts Wyatt Ellis on mandolin. “The Boy I Never Loved” sprinkles bluegrass on a tough subject – a woman left alone to raise a child, and watching this boy marry today.
“Scars and Wings” is a song of grieving for a lost relationship, with metaphors of speaking to a little bird’s sweet songs about how we can no longer sing because the sorrow is too great.
“Gold Digger” is an old timey song “I don’t want your money … stop begging my bags are packed, I came here with nothin’ and baby I’m leaving that way. Tell mama the gold digger’s giving her boy back today.” A catchy foot-stomper of defiance about someone who’s leaving an empty relationship for sure.
Many of her songs are co-writes with her mom Alisha Hamilton, and the arrangements are an old-timey, bluegrass, country, and bluesy stew. She plays ukulele and sings, and to add to the musical richness, Justin Moses (Allison Kraus, Robbie Fulks) contributes dobro, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. Renowned mandolinist Wyatt Ellis plays on two songs. Additional musicians on the album are Randall Hamilton on bass and background vocals; Bobby Hill on drums; James Adkins on guitar; and Addie Levy on mandolin with John “Bones” Antus as carnival barker.
The album was recorded at Little Blackbird Studio in Madisonville, Tennessee. It was mixed by Randall Hamilton, and mastered by Troy Dixon.
Find more details and information on her website here: http://www.theemisunshine.com
Also note EmiSunshine in our October poll results, here: Favorite Albums of October 2023
