Put a Record On: History, Not Mythology

And a country song named after Mac Miller?

Welcome back to Don’t Rock the Inbox! Here’s this week’s music recommendation post and playlist, which are for paying subscribers only. Subscribe to get access to all our new (and old) music picks and pans, and so much more — including new playlists weekly, which are always at the bottom of this email (paying subscribers — make sure you don’t miss them!). If you’re interested in paid content but not able to afford it, shoot us an email. This week, we have a playlist inspired by our Titans of Americana (Are Women) post, which is perfect Friday listening.

We also have some super exciting news this week — not one but two events to announce! First, we have newsletter fave Lola Kirke joining us on Zoom for Don’t Rock The Inbox Live! (!!) Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 13th at 8 p.m. CT; the Zoom link will be sent to paying subscribers that morning, so make sure you’re subscribed before then so you don’t miss out on all the fun! As ever, the conversation will be available later as a podcast (for paying subscribers) and an edited Q&A (for everybody!).

Our other big event to announce this month is our first meet-up!! If you live in North Texas, come party with Natalie (and possibly pick up a koozie and sticker) and see friends of the newsletter Billy Law and Van Plating at Sundown at Granada in Dallas on February 23rd! Pick up your tickets here, and make sure you get there right when the doors open at 9 for all the meet-up fun before the music starts (Natalie may be making a playlist…). Flyer coming soon as well as another DRTI Live announcement!

The Good

“Went for a Ride,” Adia Victoria, from My Black Country, the Songs of Alice Randall: While it’s essential that white folks continue to examine, call out and deconstruct the systems that white supremacy built within this country music machine, there is truly nothing more important than moving the fuck over and making space for Black women, especially, to tell and sing their own stories and rebuild the historical record. This collection of songs written by the great, multi-hypehnate (songwriter, novelist, educator, activist, best seller, academic, I could go on) Alice Randall is going to be an essential piece of that, along with her forthcoming memoir (book club anyone?). Adia Victoria absolutely transforms this Radney Foster cut: I like me some Radney Foster, but hearing these words filtered through Victoria’s deeply emotive and nuanced voice (few people can get so much out of one damn syllable) is a revelation and an education all in one. - MM

“Good Mother,” Stephanie Lambring: What gave you the right, Stephanie?!?!? I cried for twenty minutes this morning listening to this song and will probably cry again later? This is what songwriting is for - to release the truth we are all too afraid to say. “I count down to nap time, I let her sleep late. That’s twenty less minutes she’ll be calling my name.” Lord. - MM

“YODEL-AY-HE-HOE,” Gracee Shriver: I was so worried this was going to be a slut-shamey thing — but it is not!! In fact, it’s a super fun, nostalgic, groovy riff on a no-good guy. I guess Gracee is an alum of The Voice, and she sounds great here (with a credible yodel!) — NW