Hogjim's Official Blog

Music Spotlight: Ben Howard

Ben Howard is a singer-songwriter from London, UK.  If Bon Iver, Joshua Radin, and Mumford and Sons were to merge into one artist, we would find Ben Howard.  His music is a combination of indie and folk.  Elisa Parry describes Howard's musical talent as a singer and songwriter perfectly:

"Ben Howard has taken every thought you’ve ever had in your mid-twenties and crafted it into a folk ballad of epic proportions.  Be warned; his songs will get you right in the feels."

Howard has this ability to couple his songwriting with a melody that perfectly encompasses what his music is attempting to convey.  My favorite songs include Keep Your Head Up, I Forgot We Were Here, Old Pine, The Wolves, & Only Love.

You can follow Ben Howard on Twitter @benhowardmusic.  His music is available here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: The Oh Hellos

The Oh Hellos are a band from Texas consisting of two siblings, Maggie & Tyler Heath.  Their sound is a blend of folk, indie, and alternative rock.  The below quote from their website perfectly sums up this band's creative nature: 

"The siblings bend and blend styles and genres into a unique mixture of eclectic folk rock. Joined on stage by a rotating cast of characters, sometimes as many as 13, The Oh Hellos weave a sound that is one moment intimate, the next explosive and joyful."

My favorite songs include Eat You Alive, Lay You Down, & Cold Is The Night.  From what I know of the band, it's impossible to understand how talented this group is without having the opportunity to see them live.  The Audiotree Live performance below is evidence of just how incredible The Oh Hellos are. 

You can follow The Oh Hellos on Twitter @theohhellos.  Their music is available here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear.  To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Pat Green

Pat Green is a country artist from Texas.  Green's music can be summed up in this quote from his website: 

“I’d much rather be me and comfortable in my own skin than trying to be five different guys to get to the top."

Green's smoky vocals coupled with his songwriting ability create a sound that is pure country.  My favorite songs include Dixie Lullaby, Feels Just Like It Should, Three Days, and While I Was Away.  If you haven't seen the beautiful video for While I Was Away, take three minutes out of your day and give it a look/listen. 

You can follow Pat Green on Twitter @PATGREENMUSIC.  His music is available here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear.  To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Matt Kimbrow Band

From Forth Worth, Texas, the Matt Kimbrow Band has been putting together stellar country music since 2009.  Well established within the Texas country music scene, the band is starting to gain traction nationwide with the release of their new album, Lonestar Paradise in January of this year.  Adding to the release of an album, in late March, the band released the single 'Livin' the Good Life.' The aforementioned single is as refreshing as a splash of water on a hot summer day.  Kimbrow's vocals are a perfect compliment to the folky guitar, and the addition of a female vocalist to the track adds an additional layer of melodic brilliance. 



You can follow the Matt Kimbrow Band on Twitter @MattKimbrow.  Their music is available here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear.  To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Andrew Combs

Andrew Combs is a country/americana artist originally from Dallas, Texas.  Now residing in Nashville, Tennessee, Combs' sound is refreshingly unique to the country world.  As WFUV.org puts it: 

"Nashville's Andrew Combs represents an outlier breed of country-leaning singer-songwriter, making his way in a city that too often reveres glitz rather than true grit these days. There's no dim-witted, corporate-branded, bro-country songs for this Texas-born musician; Combs' music is restlessly intelligent, romantically lush, and sometimes darkly brooding."

Combs recently released his sophomore album All These Dreams in March of 2015.  This album is best consumed from beginning to end, but if I had to choose my favorites: Suwannee County, Pearl, Nothing to Lose, & Slow Road to Jesus. 

You can follow Andrew Combs on Twitter @andrew_combs. You can find his music here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear.  To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Dallas Green

Dallas Green is the man behind City & Colour, and more recently part of the duo You+Me.  Green first found success with the post hardcore band Alexisonfire, before deciding to shift gears and move from playing wonderfully loud music to wonderfully melodic music: 

"I started playing guitar when I was very, very young, and with that came an amplified guitar and learning my favorite rock-band songs.  So I always had an interest in, I guess, aggressive music or loud music," he says. "But I also started singing, and realized that I had a pretty good sense of melody.  [I wanted] to play my guitar really, really loud, but also, I felt very comfortable playing a guitar quietly and singing quietly, as well." 

Green's folky vocals combined with his ability to write quality lyrics create beautiful music.  In 2014, he paired up with pop star Pink (Alecia Moore) to create a full length album under the moniker You+Me.  

My favorite songs from City & Colour include 'The Golden State,' 'Thirst,' 'Save Your Scissors,' and 'The Girl.'  My favorite You+Me songs include 'Love Gone Wrong,' 'Break the Cycle,' and 'You and Me.'

You can follow Dallas Green on Twitter @cityandcolour.  His music is available here.  You can get the full length You+Me album here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton, widely known for his ability as an incredible songwriter, will be making his debut as a solo artist when his album Traveller releases on May 5th of this year.  Stapleton's voice is special.  One listen to Traveller and you will understand the kind of talent he possesses.  Country Weekly was on to Stapleton's talent as early as July of 2013, stating in an article authored by Lisa Konicki: 

"Every once in a while you run into a singer here in Nashville who just blows you away, an artist who can create sound in an effortless manner and transport your soul out of this world. This morning that someone proved to be Chris Stapleton."

Then, in February 2015, NPR's Ann Powers wrote a piece on Stapleton's new song Traveller.  In that piece, Powers really captured the essence of why those who have had the opportunity to hear Stapleton sing are blown away by his talent: 

"Stapleton's singing is above all companionable, capturing the way pathos and joy and weariness can all flow through any given few hours. He's the kind of singer you turn to when you have five minutes alone in the midst of a bunch of craziness — a friend who, as you listen to him, seems to be listening to you."

Traveller & When The Stars Come Out provide a preview of what to expect from Chris Stapleton's debut album. 

You can follow Chris Stapleton on Twitter @ChrisStapleton. His music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.

Music Spotlight: Wade Bowen

Wade Bowen is a country singer/songwriter from New Braunfels, Texas.  Bowen's music is good, old fashioned, down to earth, country.  From the lyrics to the guitar, everything is tied together by the smoky and controlled vocals.  My favorite songs include Trouble, Song About Trucks, When I Woke Up Today, & West Texas Rain.  West Texas Rain is currently #4 on the Texas Music Chart.  

Bowen and Randy Rogers are due to release a special collaboration album titled Hold My Beer, Vol 1. on April 20th of this year.  In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bowen described the essence of what to expect from the album:

"The freedom to do whatever we want shines through in this album. You can hear it in the production, in the playing, in the song choices… the entire album just smiles." 

An album of duets is something largely unprecedented in country music, but if Good Luck With That is any indication, Rogers and Bowen have shown that it can work- and work extraordinarily well. 

You can follow Wade Bowen on Twitter @WadeBowen. His music is available here. 

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here. 

Music Spotlight: Will Hoge

Will Hoge is a country artist and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee.  His single Middle of America is currently sitting at #9 on the Texas Music Chart.  Rebekah Bell of Taste of Country does a beautiful job describing Hoge's music: 

"As one of the most gifted musicians of his day, the country singer has penned songs that explore the intricate aspects of life in a fresh, raw, earnest way. Whether he’s playing soulful melodies on his acoustic guitar or jamming out on a hard-rocking song, Hoge encapsulates the beauty and authenticity of a true musician. His goal is to create music that connects with audiences on a profound level."

Hoge's next album, Small Town Dreams, is expected out April 7, 2015.  In a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Hoge spoke about some of his motivation in creating this album: 

"People like Petty, Springsteen, Mellencamp, Steve Earle — none of those artists are reinventing the wheel, but they're telling an honest story in a way that makes it feel like it's yours," he says. "If I'm part of that lineage, that makes me happy."

My favorite songs include Middle of America, Still Got You On My Mind, Even if it Breaks Your Heart, & Growing Up Around Here. 

You can follow Will Hoge on Twitter @WillHoge. His music is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here. 

Music Spotlight: Jon Wolfe

Jon Wolfe is a country artist. That's as simple as I can put it. From the strum of the guitar, to the powerful voice, Jon Wolfe is the definition of a country artist. Many have compared Wolfe's musical style to George Straight, and Rob Patterson of Country Music People puts this comparison in a wonderful quote: 

"Lots of Texas artists pay homage to George Strait. But few embody the vocal strength and charms that have made him the standard-bearer for genuine country music quality for a good three decades now. If anyone comes close, it’s Wolfe."

I find the two artists comparable in a different way- Both have the ability to appeal to the fabric and identity of traditional country music.  Like George Straight, Wolfe finds a way to bring in a bit of the classic sound and combine it with a new age country feel. The bio from Wolfe's website hints at this, too:

"He’s a country singer and songwriter. Country music, as it was, is and always should be, with boots firmly standing on the bedrock of tradition and an eye focused on taking it into the future."

My favorite songs include That Girl In Texas, I Don't Dance, Play Me Something I Can Drink To, & I Can't Take My Eyes Off You. 

Wolfe's upcoming album, Natural Man, is expected to release on March 31, 2015. You can follow him on Twitter @jonwolfe. His music, including the new single Smile on Mine from Natural Man, is available here.

Hogjim is a small business specializing in innovative guitar gear. To check out some of their products, click here.