Steve Semeraro, Author at Americana Highways

Review: Nan Macmillan’s Debut EP “August and the in Between” Blurs the Borders of Americana, Folk, & Indie Rock

May 4, 2020May 6, 2020 Steve Semeraro3

Fans of female singer-songwriters are going to love discovering Charlottesville-based Nan Macmillan’s first release August and the in Between. She explains that the record marks the passage of time between August 2017 and August 2019. It was a transformative period for her. Leaving Charlottesville, moving to Spain, and then returning to Virginia “to set down roots and figure out who […]

REVIEW: “Fetch The Bolt Cutters” is drawing some rave reviews and it is an extraordinary album. But . . .

April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 Steve Semeraro1

I’ve never been “into” Fiona Apple. For me, the 90s were a musical black hole. I first came to know her at the Ohana Festival a couple of years ago. She played some of what she was working on for Fetch the Bolt Cutters, and a bunch of covers. There was a moment, I remember […]

REVIEW: Seneko’s “Soul Numbers” is a Rootsy Jammin’ Bliss of an EP

March 9, 2020March 10, 2020 Steve Semeraro0

Soul Numbers is a gem of a record that most of us probably missed when it came out last spring. It’s the third EP from Seneko, the closest thing – living anyway – to a cross between Lenard Cohen and Lou Reed that you’re likely to find. Classic soul blends with touches of alt country […]

REVIEW: The Spiritual Motels’ “Super Tiny Disappearing Oceans” is Out to Break Your Heart

February 4, 2020February 4, 2020 Steve Semeraro0

From the opening organ pad and piano figure, you just know that Super Tiny Disappearing Oceans is out to break your heart. And it does. But somehow, through the struggles that would should make it impossible, hope calls from just over the rise. It “covers a lot of emotionally heavy stuff like mental health, addiction, […]

Wooden Leg’s “Turn Back the World” Is a Live Swamp of Jammin’ Fun

January 11, 2020January 11, 2020 Steve Semeraro0

Wooden Leg’s recent release Turn Back the World is a live recording from Boston, MA, featuring Jimmy Ryan’s mandolin and vocals backed by a crackerjack band consisting of Mickey Bones (drums), Brian Dunton (Fender bass), Joe Kessler (fiddle & some harmony), and Duke Levine (electric guitar). This release constitutes a comeback of sorts following up […]

REVIEW: Brooks Dixon Band’s “Pocket Full of Dreams” is Vintage, Ah, Yes

December 7, 2019December 7, 2019 Steve Semeraro0

On December 6, the Brooks Dixon Band released Pocket Full of Dreams, the band’s — and its leader’s — first full-length album recorded by engineers Ian Guthrie and Brad Phillips at Studio 101. Brooks previously released some solo EPs. This album just sounds old, and I mean that in a good way. The production is […]

REVIEW: Ickes & Hensley’s Latest is a Blow Away Outstanding “World Full Blues”

November 25, 2019November 25, 2019 Steve Semeraro1

On October 4, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley released World Full of Blues, the duo’s third full-length album, on Compass Records. Grammy winner Brent Maher produced the guys this time at his Nashville studio, The Blueroom, adding B3 and some horns to the duo’s resonator/flattop, upright bass and drums configuration. Taj Mahal and Vince Gill […]

REVIEW: Charlie Hager “Truth and Love” It’s Like Comfort Food

October 31, 2019October 31, 2019 Steve Semeraro0

On November 1, Charlie Hager released Truth and Love, his second full-length album, on Flour Sack Cape Records. You how those mashed potatoes and greasy meatloaf give you that secure feeling of satisfaction and tastes so good. But you also know, that comfort food is just not very good for you. Truth and Love is […]

REVIEW: The Waterboys “Where The Action Is” Best Album of the Year?

October 28, 2019October 27, 2019 Steve Semeraro0

On May 24, The Waterboys released Where the Action Is, their thirteenth album (fifteenth if you count Mike Scott’s solo branded records from the 90s). Discovering wonderful music from a new artist creates a sense of excitement (and sometimes heartache) that we all live for. When I heard, for example, Twenty Something by The Schuberts […]

Artist Essay – The Long Story of Writing No Place to Go – The First Single From The Innocent Bystanders Upcoming Album – Book of Life

October 25, 2019October 26, 2019 Steve Semeraro1

I know that there are people who just write songs. Write them by the dozens, record them, and try to sell them for placements in movies and TV shows or to independent film makers. I admire these song writers. I’m jealous. I’d love to do what they do. But I can’t. I’m at the opposite […]