Lynn Miles "Save Me"

One day last week on the road: Breakfast in Nashville. Ran into Jason Boland at the airport, flying back to Austin. Landed, drove west into the Hill Country at sunset, a long golden glow that lasted for almost an hour, as my car was winding through hills and dales to see Brian Langlinais at the Waring General Store for Steaknite. Drove back under cover of the night through San Antonio, which shimmered ahead like the proverbial Emerald City. Then up through Austin to the Continental Club for a bit of Susan Cowsill's performance, before I surrendered to the weight of the tired. But I have to say, I find traveling enriching. Logging those miles, seeing people and places. It keeps you on your toes. And I think it resonates the universe when you are out there, it rattles the cage. No emotional baggage, just keep moving.

Lynn Miles stands as one of Canada’s most accomplished singer/songwriters with five albums under her belt. Her CD Unravel, won a 2003 Juno Award for Roots & Traditional solo album of the year, and 2005's Love Sweet Love found favor with two Canadian Folk Music awards: Best English Songwriter, and Best Contemporary Singer. She has a brand new album that just released in Canada and Europe, called Fall for Beauty, which is her first studio album since 2005. It comes out in the states on January 8th, 2011, and you can pre-order it directly from True North Records. You can also stream the album on that page, while you're waiting for your copy to arrive!

Lynn is a woman of the world, a true observer of life's tribulations. Her music presents a startling sincerity, a gritty realism; and that coupled with the command of her delivery, brings grace to the subject matter notwithstanding the hardship. The cliff awaits. "Save Me" renders it as a fait accompli. It is a song with a brooding sexual tension that contemplates that relationship that just isn't such a smart idea. Lynn Miles performed it for the Music Fog cameras during our 2010 SXSW showcases at Threadgill's in Austin, Texas.

- Jessie Scott

Chris Scruggs "Change Your Made Up Mind"

We talk of generations, of fortunes acquired and squandered. We talk of what is needed for body and soul to survive, to thrive. In today's topsy turvy world there are no guarantees about anything. On top of the world, and then digging out from the rubble. Our lives benefit from the passed down lore and wisdom, but what if it is interrupted? What happens when we can't fulfill our seeming destiny? Hell, ya gotta walk the path anyway, and somehow, sometimes it all works out the way it was meant to.

Take for instance, Chris Scruggs. Yes, it's that Scruggs family, but Chris didn't know them growing up. He was raised by his mother, the amazing Gail Davies. And so he inherited the talent, and the passion and drive to follow his heart. But not just expression in music, as he just made his acting debut in Country Strong with Gwyneth Paltrow.

Chris brought it to us stripped down, yet with determined power for our showcase at Threadgill's during SXSW 2010 in Austin. Here's "Change Your Made Up Mind," from last year's Anthem CD.

- Jessie Scott

Carrie Rodriguez "Absence"

The season is changing, the leaves are actually turning in Texas - burnished amber, mahogany and gold. It is time to get out the sweaters and sweatshirts, the flannel PJs, the microfiber and fleece, and to pack away the incredibly lightweight t-shirts that are favored here in the triple digit summer. There is a Zen to the task and the accompanying taking stock, the particular days that tell you time is ticking on; birthdays, holidays, the relentless march. The only peace is to be strong in yourself. Everything else is change. To think back on it is a kaleidoscope, a rich tapestry of sights and sounds, of cities and country, of friends and family, and of laughter and tears and love. Of the ones that got away, through whatever means.

"Don't the last leaves look lonely on a cold autumn day," sings Carrie Rodriguez, from the song she wrote with Mary Gauthier, "Absence." The fiddle is insistent, the voice post melancholy, steadfast, somehow accepting. Both women take pleasure and have such command in the craft of wordsmithing, and of plumbing the emotions; it is wonderful to have them writing together. You will find this song on Carrie's second solo album She Ain't Me. There is new Carrie music, too, this time with Chip Taylor, The New Bye & Bye just came out a few weeks back. Some of the best of their past work, plus four new tunes, and some tour dates have been announced. A quick word about Chip Taylor, who is a force of nature...it was so wonderful to work with him on the Americana Live in New York event last month. And so wonderful for his discoveries to become ours, as is what happened with Carrie Rodriguez. We bring you Carrie from our artist showcase at Threadgill's during SXSW 2010. "Absence," here in its simplicity with just Carrie Rodriguez and Hans Holzen sharing the stage.

- Jessie Scott