Country Swag hosted Lainey Wilson in New York City for an exclusive interview and stellar performance by the rising artist. Watch the video below.
One of our favorite rising artists, Lainey Wilson joined Country Swag at Chelsea Table + Stage in New York City for an exclusive interview and special performance. The singer-songwriter chatted with Country Swag’s on-air personality, Lauren Davidson about her brand new album, Bell Bottom Country, her upcoming acting debut on Yellowstone, and what to expect next. Check out the interview and clips from her incredible performance of “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Heart Like A Truck” here!
Don’t miss Lainey Wilson when she comes back to New York City on February 3, 2023 at Irving Plaza. Get your tickets and check out the rest of the tour dates here.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Kameron Marlowe announcements and releases.
Lainey Wilson’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/lainey-wilson-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Team Country Swaghttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngTeam Country Swag2022-11-01 16:30:372022-11-01 17:08:09Lainey Wilson Joins Country Swag Live in NYC for Exclusive Interview + Performance
Country Swag hosted Kameron Marlowe in New York City for an exclusive interview and stellar performance by the rising artist. Watch the video below.
One of our favorite rising artists, Kameron Marlowe joined Country Swag at Chelsea Table + Stage in New York City for an exclusive interview and special performance. The singer-songwriter chatted with Country Swag’s on-air personality, Lauren Davidson about his debut album, We Were Cowboys, being out on the road, and what to expect next. Check out the interview and clips from his incredible performance of “We Were Cowboys”, “Girl On Fire”, and “Giving You Up” here!
Don’t miss Kameron Marlowe when he comes back to New York City on November 17th at Gramercy Theatre. Get your tickets here and check out the rest of the tour dates here.
Want to learn more about Kameron Marlowe and his journey to country music? Read more in our spotlight interview here.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about upcoming Kameron Marlowe announcements and releases.
Kameron Marlowe’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Facetune_25-10-2022-15-21-14.jpg?fit=1284%2C799&ssl=17991284Team Country Swaghttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngTeam Country Swag2022-10-25 16:33:502022-10-25 17:59:31Kameron Marlowe Joins Country Swag Live in NYC for Exclusive Interview + Performance
Over the years, we have interviewed some of the best rising talents in the country music industry and their journey to what led them to music today. Check out the full index below to learn more about your favorite new artists…
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/country-music-best-blogs.jpg?fit=480%2C288&ssl=1288480Team Country Swaghttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngTeam Country Swag2022-08-09 18:25:382022-11-11 13:13:02Country Swag Spotlights: A-Z Index (Full Catalog)
Sam Alex, creator of Camp Broadcast is inviting you to A Benefit Concert For Camp Broadcast featuring artists like Canaan Smith, Abby Anderson, and more. Learn more below.
We always love to support creatives in the industry, so we are so excited to share with you the incredible ticketed event coming soon. The ‘Acoustic Jam: A Benefit Concert For Camp Broadcast’ featuring Canaan Smith, Darryl Worley, Ray Fulcher, and Abby Anderson is officially scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois. The incredible night of music helps raise money for Camp Broadcast.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Camp Broadcast, Camp Broadcast is a 1 week, masterclass experience for high school and college-aged aspiring journalists and broadcasters to put together a hosting reel, learn from professionals in the industry, and interview celebrities. Camp Broadcast was created by Sam Alex two years ago, during the pandemic.
“This week, 2 years ago because of Covid all these in-person internships were canceled […] I felt so bad. […] I just thought of ‘Camp Broadcast’ and asked my friends who worked in TV and Radio what they would think if I had a masterclass on Zoom,” shared Alex in our recent conversation. This idea sparked the now-live event.
“The coolest part is not just seeing them get their jobs, but the relationships they form with the guests, the celebrity mentors, but especially with each other, with their fellow campers,” shared the founder.” Alex later shared, “At the end of the week the campers will have a hosting reel, a very valuable 2-3 minute reel when they apply for internships and jobs of them interviewing actual newsmakers and celebrities.”
Despite all of the incredible good that has come out of Camp Broadcast, Alex’s goal is for the camp to be free for all who wish to attend. In order to make that happen, the upcoming benefit concert is essential.
To attend the Acoustic Jam: A Benefit Concert for Camp Broadcast, purchase your tickets here. Continue to support the incredible organization by following them on social media as well and spreading the word!
In our exclusive interview, we chatted with Tenille Townes all about writing and recording music, her tour, and much more. Read all about it below.
Tenille Townes is kicking off 2022 with a bang. In addition to headlining her first American Tour, Townes has also released a handful of brand new songs that are bound to stop you in your tracks. We had the chance to catch up with the singer-songwriter on touring, her love of Patty Griffin, and her courageous songwriting.
Tenille Townes has become one of country music’s greatest songwriters since releasing her debut single to radio in 2018. Her material has always been the perfect combination of fun, intense, and meaningful, but lately, her newest songs have been more vulnerable and intimate than ever.
“I always just trust the music and where it feels like the song is carrying me,” she tells us. “On both “Villain In Me” and “When’s It Gonna Happen,” in the middle of that process, even vocally to my co-writers, I was like ‘oof this is really scary and honest. Am I really saying this?’ And I just felt the song saying yes… as I was writing them, I think the most therapeutic thought that [helped me] step past that initial fear of talking about these things, is ‘oh, I can’t be the only person that’s feeling this way’. So if that’s the case, then I’d love for all of us to be able to be honest in it together. That’s definitely given me so much courage.”
Townes is gearing up for the second leg of her headlining tour in the states, and she shared how excited she is to share new material and fan favorites. “I loved getting to do my first-ever headlining tour in Canada to close out the year, and the shows were so much fun. My heart’s been so ready to get back to that this month. I can’t wait to be able to play the songs from The Lemonade Stand and sing them together with everybody, and also sing these new songs! I’m excited to bring everybody on hopefully an emotional ride and be all vulnerable and intimate with our emotions and also kind of throw caution to the wind and have a good time. I want it to be a joyful escape for everyone.”
In modern country music, there are very few major label artists who have the guts and perhaps bravery to write about what Townes does. Her music has the kind of vulnerability that really only has been heard on a song like “Mad Mission” by Patty Griffin, or “You Won’t Even Know I’m Gone” by Lori McKenna. These two artist-writers also happen to be some of her biggest inspirations.
“Patty Griffin is my hero, her and Lori McKenna to me are songwriting legends. They just set the bar for what it means to be honest, truthful, and raw. What I love so much about Patty Griffin’s music is that it feels like she’s just holding open the door, and you feel your soul or your story gets whatever it needs out of listening to her music, and that’s such a huge inspiration to me, as I’m writing. Like, I think about how this music can shape somebody’s experience and open that door for listeners.”
If you have ever had a thought that you’ve been a little bit scared to admit out loud, it’s possible that Tenille Townes has already written that song. Her electrifying, vibrant, and, vulnerable music is one that has the potential to change the landscape of modern country music. If you have the opportunity to get out and see her live show this year, you should take advantage of that. You might just find some answers to those thoughts.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Tenille Townes releases.
Tenille Townes’ music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tenille-townes-music.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Lucie Bernheimhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngLucie Bernheim2022-01-31 14:57:342022-01-31 14:57:34Tenille Townes’ Talks Writing Music, Tour & More [Exclusive Interview]
In our exclusive interview, we chatted with Chris Lane all about his upcoming “Fill Them Boots” tour. Read more below!
Chris Lane has had quite the year already, and it’s just getting started. We had the opportunity to chat with him leading up to his “Fill Them Boots” tour.
A lot has changed in Chris Lane’s life since he released his sophomore album in 2018: he got married to his wife Lauren Bushnell, had two life-changing hit songs on country radio, his son Dutton was born, and now, he is embarking on his headlining “Fill Them Boots” tour.
“It’s been so good to be at home, especially these first [seven months] that Dutton’s been born… I’ve really enjoyed it… I’m very very excited to get back on the road. There’s gonna be quite a few weekends that we bring Lauren and Dutton out, and we’ll still get to be together a lot, so I am very excited.”
Lane has released a plethora of new material in the past year: songs like the current single “Fill Them Boots” to the HIXTAPE collab “Small Town On It” to the latest release “Stop Coming Over”. If fans are excited to finally hear these new songs live, Lane is just as over the moon. “I think as an artist there is nothing like being in front of people. The energy is much different, and hearing them scream the words back to you is honestly the best part about creating music and being an artist. A lot of these songs, I haven’t even been able to play live yet, which is not normal. Usually, you record a song and you’re out on tour and you get to start playing it immediately.”
As his personal life has changed, his songwriting and even touring lifestyle have changed a bit since his last “Big, Big Plans” headlining tour. “When Lauren and I first started dating, it gave me a whole new inspiration to write about and a whole new set of feelings. And when we got married, the same kind of thing. It transitions your mindset a little bit,” he explained to us. “Even more so when you have a child – it all definitely plays into the kind of songs I write. It’s softened my heart a little bit more.”
When it comes to putting together a setlist for this tour, because of streaming analytics, he is able to know where in the world certain fans like certain songs. Using this data, he will be able to customize the setlists on the tour. Additionally, he’s most excited about connecting with the audience again. “I’m a big moments guy – I love having a lot of moments in my set. Whether that’s bringing somebody up on stage, usually a little girl, to sing ‘For Her’… I’ll probably keep that moment in my set.” If you haven’t gotten tickets for Chris Lane’s “Fill Them Boots” tour, it’s a show you’re not going to want to miss.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Chris Lane releases.
Chris Lane’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/chris-lane-fill-them-boots-tour.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Lucie Bernheimhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngLucie Bernheim2022-01-17 16:48:102022-01-17 16:50:18Chris Lane Has Big, Big Plans For 2022 [Exclusive Interview]
High Valley is back with two brand new songs, “Whatever It Takes” and “Never Not,” out now. Learn more about their new music below in our exclusive interview.
High Valley are one of those country acts that have firmly planted themselves in their staying power. The Canadian-group know exactly who they are. They continue to share music with their fanbase that shows their signature sound and their evolution. Today, High Valley drop two brand new songs, “Whatever It Takes” and “Never Not.”
According to lead singer, Brad Rempel, in our recent interview, these songs mark the beginning of a new album coming in the Spring of 2022 for the band. “With these first two, we wanted to kind of let fans hear “Never Not” so they knew that our feet weren’t stuck in concrete, and that we are always evolving and kind of show the future, but also let them hear “Whatever It Takes” to let them know that we’re not anywhere close to sick of those boot-stomping, bluegrass anthem thing.”
“Never Not” shows off a fresh, pop-country sound of the band. Lyrically, the song expresses love in a unique and enticing way. Rempel shares that the title of the song was inspired by a statement that a pro Hockey player said to him while at an event together. As if that story is not wild enough, the song was actually written via Zoom, after a crazy string of events found Rempel writing and demo-ing the song in a work-share space.
“I’m whispering on my phone, ‘hey guys, my phone died, but I got this idea for the second verse.’ So we literally finished writing that song and recorded all the audio to make sure we all had it down on our iPhones by me sitting in a community workspace,” he shares, laughing. He later added, “The second verse is one of the most real things ever. ‘It’s a crowded room, but I still feel all alone and I just had to hear your voice on the phone’ and that’s so true for my wife and my two boys.”
On the other hand, “Whatever It Takes” features High Valley’s signature bluegrass, anthemic sound. Penned by Rempel with collaborators, Jon Nite and Ben Stennis, the track begs for the stage and a live crowd. The song was written during a writer’s trip to Florida, after the trio decided to call it a wrap.
“It just felt so natural, when you’re not trying to write a song, when you’re not trying to be an artist, just doing what I do. It is very old school, Americana-bluegrass, hipster, organic, insert buzzword here. But that kind of acoustic driven stuff and thankfully my buddies know how to make it to a European soccer stadium, anthem kind of song.”
Rempel adds, “When we combine those two worlds that’s when High Valley finds its magic.” We tend to agree!
High Valley releases two brand new songs, out now on all streaming platforms.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future High Valley releases.
“Whatever It Takes” and “Never Not” is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/high-valley-new-songs-interview.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Erica Zismanhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngErica Zisman2021-11-12 01:06:462021-11-12 18:34:29High Valley Shares Two Brand New Songs in Exclusive Interview
Interested in learning a bit more about Country Swag and our Founder, Stephanie Wagner? Check this out!
Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner was asked to be a part of a new series called “Unplugged”. Created by two college students, Kaylee & Kelly who major in Film & Television, “Unplugged” tells the stories and experiences of successful women in various media fields.
In this episode, Stephanie talks about the start of Country Swag, running a country music company in New York City, the challenges of the business through COVID and she debunks some myths of the job!
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/unplugged-cover.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Team Country Swaghttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngTeam Country Swag2021-10-26 15:36:292021-10-26 16:36:53Country Swag Founder, Stephanie Wagner Featured on ‘Unplugged’
Country Swag recently chatted with MacKenzie Porter, almost exactly a year after we first introduced her in our Artist Spotlight Series. Read our exclusive interview as we caught up with the songstress below!
Mackenzie Porter, Photo Credit: Bree Marie Fish
MacKenzie Porter has had quite the year, so far. Between new music, receiving multiple nominations for a slew of awards, and joining a national tour with Jordan Davis, the budding star has showed no signs of slowing down.
On the topic of tour, Porter shares, “My favorite part of tour so far is hearing people get excited and sing back every single lyric of Thinking ‘Bout You!” She adds, “So many people know that song, and it’s such a cool feeling.”
Earlier this year, Porter collaborated with Dustin Lynch on “Thinking ‘Bout You,” which is currently sitting in the Top 15 at Country Radio. The duet has already completely changed her career – it’s one of the biggest hits of the year – and it has also given Porter a new music friend to celebrate wins with. “Dustin is such a good guy,” she begins. “He is truly a beautiful human being. He’s been taking me out on the road with him and he’s included me in so much stuff. It’s been really cool,” Porter adds.
“Dustin & I were talking earlier today about getting to celebrate those wins together. Normally, as an artist, it’s just yourself and you’re like, ‘go me!’. But, when you have another person, you can kind of feed off of each other. Him and I go back and forth texting like, ‘it’s 16 this week, it’s 15 this week!'”
The incredibly infectious track is not the first big hit under Porter’s belt. Her Drinkin’ Songs project includes multiple singles that went #1 and top 5 in Canada. The project also includes deeper cuts that fans still really gravitate towards, like the cleverly catchy “Drive Thru”.
Porter shared the story behind that song with us during our conversation. “I wrote that with Natalie Hemby and Tommy English. We were in Tommy’s basement studio and Natalie, who’s one of my favorite writers, came in with the title,” she says. “’Drive-Thru what you’re talking about.’ Like how could we make this like a country, like a sassy, Lizzo thing? We were just thinking about what is that for girls? being like, ‘oh, hell no, you’re not going to call me whenever you want.’ It was a really fun day writing that.”
As for what’s next, Porter is currently working on her next project slated for release early next year. Hinting at what’s to come, Porter tells us, “It’s a whole new project, and one song ‘Unlonely Me’ is out now.” She added, “I cut a new one yesterday called “Pickup” and I’m really, really excited for it. I just feel like it could be a special one.”
It is safe to say that Porter is on her way to taking over country music in the United States. She already is back home in Canada and it’s only a matter of time before she makes her name a mainstay here too. To catch MacKenzie Porter on tour with Jordan Davis, visit her website here.
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future MacKenzie Porter releases.
MacKenzie Porter’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/drinkin-songs-mackenzie-porter.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Lucie Bernheimhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngLucie Bernheim2021-10-21 15:16:402021-10-21 15:16:40Exclusive Interview with MacKenzie Porter Talking All Things Music & More
Country music artist, Cooper Alan joins us to chat about tour, his viral success on TikTok, taking ownership of your music and more. Learn more in the interview below.
Cooper Alan
The Beginning:
Cooper Alan starts off our conversation with explaining how he came to love country music. “I’ve gone through all the phases of loving different genres. Country has always been the most dominant,” Alan began. “Music was always something my family enjoyed and liked, but I’m the only one that plays. We would always go to concerts and share music with each other – it was a way we bonded with each other.”
Alan attended his first concert, Tom Petty, when he was five years old. “I slept through the whole show,” he laughed. Even though he wasn’t awake, it ignited a spark. He learned his first instrument in elementary school and second in middle school – the trumpet and guitar respectively. “I started playing guitar in 6th grade because I figured girls probably thought it was cooler than a trumpet. I started my first band in 8th grade and played through all of high school and college. My music taste always comes back to country music.”
He started cultivating his songwriting when he was a teenager, but it’s really performing his music that is his true passion. “I’ve been most inspired by the entertainers that I’ve seen live. Live performing is my thing… so concerts have inspired me probably even more than music has.”
After high school, Alan went to UNC Chapel Hill for undergrad, and he received not only a college education, but he received a hands-on education in live performing and entertaining. “Some people can move to Nashville when they’re 16 or 18, and be totally fine, but I just kinda needed to learn how to entertain a little more and kind of cut my teeth – it was probably the most valuable part of college.”
The Turning Point:
When the world paused in March 2020, it gave Alan a moment to brainstorm new ways of reaching fans and being creative. “I couldn’t play shows, so I had to find something to do. My girlfriend mentioned that I should get on TikTok, and I thought it was just kids dancing!” Alan recalled laughing. “I started digging in and studying the app and had my first video go viral and that’s when it really hit me.”
Over a year after starting TikTok, Alan’s singles have racked up millions of streams, and he has even signed and created a publishing company with his mentor, legendary songwriter Victoria Shaw, called “Cooped Up” records. “‘New Normal’ started going viral on TikTok and people started to care about my original music. Victoria and I had an opportunity to treat this like a real business and record company and that’s what we decided to do. We’ve worked together since I’ve gotten to Nashville, so she’s been my champion this whole time, so it was a no-brainer.”
Today:
Alan has recently finished the first leg of his In Real Life tour with artists Alexandra Kay and Thomas Mac, as they’re currently making their way across the country. “It’s been so wild and awesome to be on tour. Before COVID, I couldn’t go play a show where people would come and be there for my original music and be there to see me… it was the first time I really experienced any of that. It’s a really special feeling.”
As for what’s next for Alan, new music and tour dates are already starting to come to fruition. He is coming to the New York area this Saturday night at Mulchay’s, grab tickets here, and will continue down the east coast before heading South to Texas and Louisiana. He’s an artist you won’t want to miss out on.
Connect:
Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Cooper Alan releases.
Cooper Alan’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.
https://i0.wp.com/countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/cooper-alan-new-york.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=16301200Lucie Bernheimhttps://countryswag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-new-cs-white.pngLucie Bernheim2021-08-20 13:21:232021-08-20 13:21:23Who Is Cooper Alan? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music
