Hollow Heart is the fourth full-length record from London-based cosmic rockers, The Hanging Stars. It’s pedal steel paradise.
Mike’s Monday Muse – The Hanging Stars
Mike’s Monday Muse – Kimberly Morgan York
Don’t listen to this unless you enjoy Dolly & Tammy, waltzing pedal steel guitar, The Drive-By Truckers, sweet twangy vocals, and real-deal country music. Found Yourself A Lady is Kimberly Morgan York‘s debut album (check out the equally stellar cut “Real Thing“) and her second record, Keep On Going, comes out later this year.
Mike’s Monday Muse – The Delines
Can’t sleep. I’m up at 4:00 AM listening to The Sea Drift again. Counting Willy Vlautin’s novel soundtracks, The Sea Drift is record #6 from The Delines and “Kid Codeine” happens to be my favorite song on it. Willy said the song was inspired by an LA cougar with a big bouffant hairdo, a trip to a strip bar, and a junkie dancer crashing into his table.
Play Listy For Me – Americana, Folk & Roots Vol. 3

Some people pay a lot of money to hide their roots, but we show ours with pride here at PE. Check out the latest in roots, Americana, folk, soul and indie/freak/alt versions of all those in this playlist.
Tuesday Tip-Off: Robert Finley
Like most people, we found out about Robert Finley when he appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2019 – not because we watch that abomination against music, but because people we knew who watched it to keep their spouses happy were like “holy shit, there’s an actual artist on AGT!” And the supportive spouses were right. Finley’s raspy soulful voice and undeniable spirit won the day then and it does now on his new single “Country Boy.” The song is as tasty and tasteful as it comes, laying down a country soul groove for Finley to do his thing on, and what a beautiful thing it is.
The B-Side: Johnny Romantic
Sometimes you hear a song that is so perfect at checking every single box in it’s given genre you have to think…wait, is this a put on? Is someone parodying this style or actually just this faithful to it? And then you realize you don’t really give a shit, because it’s a great song and you enjoy it regardless. “I Won’t Need Your Lovin'” by Johnny Romantic is a classic honky tonk ballad that is so darn good it’s got an alarm raising timelessness to it. Our suggestion? Don’t think too much about it and just enjoy the ride.
Play Listy For Me – New Americana, Folk & Roots Volume 2

Today’s lovingly curated playlist is bringing you all the best Americana, Folk & Roots music we talked about on the blog recently, all in one convenient listening location. Plus bonus stimulus songs to help get you through.
Mike’s Monday Muse – Clarence Gatemouth Brown
Texas-by-way-of-Louisiana swing at its finest. Clarence got his break filling in for an ill T-Bone Walker at a club in Houston one night in 1947. The Man came out on Verve Records in 1994. It’s my favorite Clarence record and “I Wonder” is my favorite song on it.
Friday 5×5

Today we have new music from Matt Monsoor, Tashaki Miyaki, Clip Frassexx and His Counterfeits, Evan Cheadle and Andreas Vey.