![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/9fd20f53-e76a-4efb-a925-e2ddf09c2607/anastasia-zhenina-2doXWs4uqrg-unsplash.jpg)
The Music Distillery
Exploring Americana Music Through Interviews, Reviews & Essays
Written by Carol Roth, Jaclyn Nott, Sarah Morris, Jacson Miller, and other guest contributors
![Show Review: Logan Ledger & Zack Fedor at the Golden Dagger in Chicago](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1671683836125-NZD7PT08H6ZST0FIJDIK/IMG_7869.jpg)
Show Review: Logan Ledger & Zack Fedor at the Golden Dagger in Chicago
My long-overdue first time seeing Logan Ledger surpassed expectations as he wowed the crowd at Chicago’s Golden Dagger.
![9th Annual 2023 Blue Ox Festival Artist Lineup Announcement](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1670430428088-J6V3LH242S6A28JOTOJL/2023BO-Social-Vertical2.jpg)
9th Annual 2023 Blue Ox Festival Artist Lineup Announcement
The 2023 Blue Ox Festival line up is fresh off the press, and tickets are now on sale for this popular music festival in Eau Claire, WI June 22-24!
Album Review & Show Gallery: Plains’ “I Walked With You A Ways”
Indie-rockers Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson join forces to form a new band, Plains, to let their love of classic country from their southern roots fly, taking listeners to places of heartbreak, reflection, and release.
![Artist Interview: Q&A with Taylor James Donskey](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1668629878786-7XJVDO1D9880NNMU3ECA/TJD+single+art.jpg)
Artist Interview: Q&A with Taylor James Donskey
This tireless supporter of the Twin Cities music community has a lot going on—including a new single of his own and an upcoming concert to celebrate it!
![Womenfolk Radio Show Celebrates 20 Years: Q&A With Ellen Stanley](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1668458505281-K2U4NEPTROC70ZKFT0NB/WomenfolkRadio_Logo_square_instruments+-+Ellen+Stanley.jpg)
Womenfolk Radio Show Celebrates 20 Years: Q&A With Ellen Stanley
Days before a concert at Parkway Theater in Minneapolis celebrating Womenfolk’s 20th anniversary, we talked to host Ellen Stanley (aka Mother Banjo) about her long-running radio show.
![Single Premiere: Cary James Snider, “Penny Lane (Don’t Seem Right)”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1668094807875-K3YHMSRYKYXCQ6APG9PD/Cary+snider+EP+art.jpg)
Single Premiere: Cary James Snider, “Penny Lane (Don’t Seem Right)”
One half of Philadelphia-based folk group The Younger Brothers has embarked on a solo singer-songwriter project. Get an exclusive preview of the first single off his EP, which drops tomorrow!
![Music Review: Zoe Butler, ‘June’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1667925339180-R3G31QKW33R8M9H4Y2YA/cover+art.png)
Music Review: Zoe Butler, ‘June’
The singer-songwriter brings beauty to devastation in an intriguing Americana blend on her debut EP.
![Single Premiere: Goatroper, ‘You Don’t Rub Me Right’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1667489496860-Y8XHJLZ1BGCFNFJHWX56/GR_SINGLE_FEMALE_FINAL.png)
Single Premiere: Goatroper, ‘You Don’t Rub Me Right’
The upstart Minneapolis act releases their first single on Bandcamp tomorrow. Get an exclusive preview and find out how this brand new band got their start!
![Dan Israel Set to Celebrate New Album ‘Seriously’ at the Hook and Ladder](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1667226404352-A2XBZQABO8FB5XZ8RQC9/danisraelseriously+album+art.jpg)
Dan Israel Set to Celebrate New Album ‘Seriously’ at the Hook and Ladder
The prolific Minneapolis rocker’s latest album is vulnerable, introspective and a damn good time.
![Music Review: Luke LeBlanc, ‘Fugue State’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1666884699725-1OPQME4KGIAC5L9ZU1VW/FugueState.jpg)
Music Review: Luke LeBlanc, ‘Fugue State’
This Minneapolis singer-songwriter’s deceptively sweet and mellow new album explores societal crises and relationship struggles with a world-weary but resilient outlook.
![Spotlight on Twin Cities Indie Music Press](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1666660521791-1DBFZA1AGVAXOVXD3WF3/james-bold-2fj2L-4ERy4-unsplash.jpg)
Spotlight on Twin Cities Indie Music Press
Get to know some of the dedicated music lovers in the Twin Cities working hard to support our local scene.
![Music Review: Amanda Standalone, ‘You’re Still Here’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1666369278003-TK08DZ290GGBY0KSPLI2/youre+still+here.jpg)
Music Review: Amanda Standalone, ‘You’re Still Here’
Just in time for Halloween, this ambitious new album combines oral storytelling with a wide range of folk music styles to create a campfire-worthy collection of supernatural narratives.
![Music Review: Julian Taylor, ‘Beyond the Reservoir’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1665678991145-JJW2929UI13L38E8CIRF/HIGH_RES_JulianTaylorReservoirCVR.png)
Music Review: Julian Taylor, ‘Beyond the Reservoir’
The acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter’s new country/folk album tells a devastating but ultimately empowering coming-of-age story.
![Single Premiere: Mother Banjo, ‘Morning Train’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1665067834504-A1EHU3U5FHLO71XL1T3D/Morning+Train+Cover.jpg)
Single Premiere: Mother Banjo, ‘Morning Train’
Get an exclusive first listen to this John Prine cover coming out 10/10/22—what would have been his 76th birthday.
![Music Review: The Cactus Blossoms, ‘If Not for You (Bob Dylan Songs Vol. 1)’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1664894225575-T9B8OOBGCDB84GUXKSMI/Dylan+EP+cover+art.jpg)
Music Review: The Cactus Blossoms, ‘If Not for You (Bob Dylan Songs Vol. 1)’
The Minnesota-based brother duo puts their harmony-rich spin on four Bob Dylan tunes.
![Artist Interview: Q&A with Tyler Edwards](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1664293508893-JLQVD7HRB4XWYNK0TJYE/Photo+by+Julia+Joy+Beck+%282%29.jpg)
Artist Interview: Q&A with Tyler Edwards
On the eve of his album release, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Edwards gives us an inside look at the inspiration behind and recording of A Falling Sky.
![Music Review: The Foxgloves, ‘Mama Was a Bandit’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1664291029366-ZFAAIPS8FTF6UWGFUS42/foxgloves+album+art.jpg)
Music Review: The Foxgloves, ‘Mama Was a Bandit’
The six-woman Twin Cities outfit comes out guns blazing with their first full album, a rowdy but heartfelt collection of stories as unique as the band itself.
![Music Review: Shelby Lee Lowe, ‘The Fame Sessions’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1663863870398-SEDKK3OIGIEFZTWW16F6/fame+sessions+cover.jpg)
Music Review: Shelby Lee Lowe, ‘The Fame Sessions’
The Tennessee native’s new EP is straight-up honky-tonk at its finest.
![Music Review: Jake La Botz, ‘Hair on Fire’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1663602568148-WV2XSOU5IYWPXM0O5591/Hair+on+Fire+album+artwork.jpg)
Music Review: Jake La Botz, ‘Hair on Fire’
The Saint Paul-based blues/roots rocker infuses unexpected musical and thematic twists into his familiar sound on a rousing new album.
![Music Review: Maygen & The Birdwatcher, ‘Bootleggin’ at the Flower Shoppe’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffcb0b15d03a5318f3f20aa/1662732951980-366M1WRXC3HHABLRVFY1/BOOTLEGGIN%27_FINAL+ART_1.jpg)
Music Review: Maygen & The Birdwatcher, ‘Bootleggin’ at the Flower Shoppe’
An award-winning Midwest country act is back with a lively, charming new EP.