The 2018 Americana Music Festival and Conference will be held in Nashville on September 11-16, with seven All Eyes Media artists performing, nominated or speaking. Multi-Grammy and multi-Americana Award winner Jason Isbell and his mighty band The 400 Unit lead all nominations with four around their two-time Grammy award-winning album The Nashville Sound. AMA 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year award winner Mary Gauthier is nominated for Album of the Year for her highly acclaimed album, Rifles & Rosary Beads. Both will perform during the awards ceremony on September 12. Celebrated artists AHI, Amanda Shires, American Aquarium, Carolina Story and Jason Boland & The Stragglers will all make triumphant returns to the festival this year. For a complete list of our artists’ schedules during Americana week, click HERE.
SPUTNIK SESSIONS
All Eyes Media is partnering with Sputnik Sound and Global Positioning Services for the inaugural “Sputnik Sessions” day party on September 13. The event will feature live performances from various artists at Sputnik Sound Studios, run by Grammy Award-winning producers Vance Powell and Mitch Dane.
JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT
“…arguably the finest songwriter putting pen to paper these days…” – Associated Press
Performing at the Honors & Awards Show on September 12
Americana and Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit have earned four Americana Music Association nominations this year – Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year and Song of the Year (“If We Were Vampires”) – for their acclaimed 2017 independent release The Nashville Sound. The Nashville Sound has gone on to sell over 190,000 copies and has received tremendous support from the press. Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit will be releasing their new live album, Live From The Ryman, on October 19. Isbell & Co. have sold out 14 consecutive shows at the legendary venue, and they have just increased that number with the addition of six more sell outs coming up this October. More information on Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/jason-isbell/.
MARY GAUTHIER
“You’ll be hard-pressed to hear a more powerfully moving work this year—or any other.” – Los Angeles Times
Performing at the Honors & Awards Show on September 12
Official Showcase: Wednesday, September 12 – City Winery @ 11:00 PM
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier has proven to be one of the most honest and compelling voices in American music today, and her latest release Rifles & Rosary Beads is being hailed as her most important work to date. Nominated for Album of the Year, Rifles & Rosary Beads features 11 powerful songs co-written with veterans and their families. The songs reveal the untold stories and struggles that our military deal with abroad, and more importantly, when they return home. The album has received unanimous praise from the press including NPR Music, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Noisey and more (See Highlights). For some great insight, watch Mary Gauthier and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua Geartz in a feature segment on CBS This Morning. Gauthier will perform at several writer’s rounds throughout the week, with an official showcase at City Winery on Wednesday. More information on Mary Gauthier at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/mary-gauthier/.
AHI
“Though AHI may not be a household name right now, if there’s any justice ‘In Our Time’ will take care of that shortly.” ★★★★ – Blurt
Official Showcase: Friday, September 14 – City Winery @ 7:30 PM
Canadian singer/songwriter AHI (pronounced “EYE”) will perform in support of his recently released album, In Our Time. AHI’s powerful songwriting reflects the common experiences that unify us all, revealing a boundless artist with a unique capacity to connect with a wide-ranging audience. Between his gritty, soulful vocals, thoughtful lyrics and infectious melodies, AHI’s music incorporates a range of folk, rock and soul influences to make something all his own. Exuding raw emotion and sincerity, his live performances are both intimate and mesmerizing, and his sound has caught the attention of new fans and critics including American Songwriter, Exclaim, No Depression and NPR Music, who invited AHI to perform a Tiny Desk Concert earlier this year. AHI will make his network television debut on CBS Saturday Morning on September 8, leading right into Americana week. More information on AHI at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/ahi/.
AMANDA SHIRES
“The excellent singer-songwriter’s boldest LP yet…” ★★★★ – Rolling Stone
Official Showcase: Thursday, September 13 – The Basement East @ 9:30 PM
Celebrated singer/songwriter/violinist and 2017 Americana Emerging Artist of the Year winner Amanda Shires just released To The Sunset, her second album with Grammy award-winning producer Dave Cobb. Shires’ poetic songwriting and distinctive vocals remain at the forefront on the new album, as she pushes her art lyrically and sonically. Boasting an edgier sound and attitude, To The Sunset represents an adventurous move that has paid off, as it is quickly becoming her most heralded release to date. Shires is currently featured on the cover of this month’s Garden & Gun Magazine, and has been the subject of recent features by Rolling Stone, NPR Music, Entertainment Weekly, UPROXX and more. (See Highlights). With her fearless approach to storytelling and warm, earnest delivery, Amanda Shires is at the top of her game right now and producing some of the finest work of her career thus far. More information on Amanda Shires at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/amanda-shires/.
AMERICAN AQUARIUM
“‘Things Change’ is an unabashed rock & roll record – a snapshot of a band and its reinvigorated leader.” – Rolling Stone
Official Showcase: Friday, September 14 – 3rd and Lindsley @ 10:30 PM
American Aquarium is set to perform in support of their latest release Things Change (New West Records), a powerful narrative chronicling the last two years as seen through the eyes of front man BJ Barham. Stacked with his signature storytelling, which is deeply personal and instantly relatable, the album is an introspective reflection of personal growth and change, which also touches on the current social climate in our country. Produced by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter John Fulbright, the band’s seventh studio album is their finest collection of southern rock-n-roll to date. Things Change is the group’s first release on a label after building a loyal fanbase and selling thousands of records on their own. You can read more about the band’s journey via Billboard and watch their recent Paste Magazine session here to get a taste of their impressive live show. More information on American Aquarium at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/american-aquarium/.
CAROLINA STORY
“’Lay Your Head Down’ pulsates with achy, heartfelt sentiment, delivered in tender harmony against a warmly pastoral background…this isn’t the kind of music that’s written with stardom in mind. These songs feel like they had to come out.” – Associated Press
Official Showcase: Saturday, September 15 – Station Inn @ 9:00 PM
Nashville husband and wife duo Carolina Story are returning to Americana week with their gorgeous harmonies and intimate songwriting, showcased on their stunning new album Lay Your Head Down. The heartfelt 12-song collection captures the journey of one couple as they move through life, from childhood to parenthood, independence to partnership and despondency to hope. It’s an engaging portrait of lovers and friends, showcasing the pair’s commitment to their craft and each other. The press has taken note, as the duo has received positive coverage from Associated Press, Billboard, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and Rolling Stone, who said they sound like “Sonny & Cher meets Whiskeytown.” Watch Carolina Story’s poignant video for their new track “Lonely Without You” featured via The Boot. More information on Carolina Story at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/carolina-story/.
JASON BOLAND & THE STRAGGLERS
“Overall, ‘Hard Times Are Relative’ is an impressive record that demands repeat listens. If this is what Boland sounds like 20 years into his musical career, just imagine what his fourth or fifth professional decade will be like.” – No Depression
Official Showcase: Wednesday, September 12 – 3rd and Lindsley @ 11:59 PM
Acclaimed independent country torchbearers Jason Boland & The Stragglers have been touring extensively in support of their ninth studio album Hard Times Are Relative. Released in May, the album garnered positive coverage that included Billboard, Rolling Stone Country, American Songwriter and more. Together with his longtime band The Stragglers, Jason Boland has remained a true craftsman of genuine, no-frills country music for nearly two decades. As he consistently puts substance at the forefront, Boland pushes the genre’s boundaries with intelligent, insightful lyrics that challenge listeners to think beyond the obvious. Brimming with gratifying country and loaded with a shot of adrenaline, the band’s live show pairs their impressive musicianship with the gritty, Oklahoma junkyard pedigree that has kept fans packing out venues year after year. More information on Jason Boland & The Stragglers at: alleyesmedia.com/clients/jason-boland-and-the-stragglers.
For press information on All Eyes Media artists, please contact:
Jim Flammia jim@alleyesmedia.com, Michelle Steele michelle@alleyesmedia.com or Brenna Sexton brenna@alleyesmedia.com
Visit www.alleyesmedia.com for info, photos and art