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Music

RUNAWAY JUNE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)”

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NASHVILLE, TENN. (October 28, 2022) — Today (10/28), chart-topping all-female trio Runaway June returns with their anthemic “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS).” Rooted in the band’s powerful three-part harmony, the unapologetic new single flips the script on post-breakup blues with members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall, and Stevie Woodward.

LISTEN TO “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)”
“We all know that feeling of getting your heart broken and going out and doing some questionable things, so we wanted to make ‘BROKEN HEARTS’ feel as supportive and inclusive as possible,” shares Woodward (a new member since early 2022). Runaway June co-founder Wayne adds, “Instead of making it just about one person’s experience, it’s all three of us singing to you and letting everyone know we’re all in this together. It’s our way of telling people, ‘We all screw up sometimes, but it’s okay because you’re gonna get through it and come out the other side.’ I think there’s a real beauty in that.”

Already a fan-favorite live, “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)” kicks off a bold new era for one of Country’s most exciting acts. Runaway June’s current lineup united after Stovall and Wayne found Woodward’s music online. “We thought Stevie was perfect in every way, but we needed to make sure the chemistry was right,” Wayne recalls. “As soon as we got together it was magic – our voices blended so well that it gave me chills.” Fellow vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Stovall adds, “Whenever we play this song live, we see the groups of girls out in the crowd dancing and going crazy, acting out the lyrics. That’s exactly what we want from all our music – for people to hear it, let loose, and have so much fun.”

“BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)” was penned by Mandi Sagal, Steve Fee, and Sarah Lake, with Runaway June ultimately changing the lyrics from first-to-third person. Radiating the fierce and fiery spirit they’ve channeled on past hits like their GOLD-certified breakthrough smash “Buy My Own Drinks” (a 2019 release that marked the first time a female trio had cracked the Top 5 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart since The Chicks in 2003), the band adds honeyed vocals and finespun melodies this time around to vivid storytelling that perfectly captures the chaos of heartbreak: “She’s been making out with strangers / Shoots tequila without chasers / Been crying in the club / Sweepin’ tears under the rug / She’s been dancing up on tables / Call her crazy and unstable / But she ain’t as messed up as you think.”

Produced by Mitch Furr (Eric Paslay, Keith Urban) and Justin Weaver (a musician/producer known for his work with The Chicks and Wynonna Judd), “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)” took shape in a series of sessions at Furr’s apartment. With its hard-driving groove, hypnotic guitar tones, and sing-along-ready gang vocals, Runaway June dreamed up a lush arrangement that simultaneously showcases their timeless Country musicianship and rule-breaking originality.

Wayne, Stovall, and Woodward made their first public performance together at Nashville’s historic Grand Ole Opry. With more new music promised, Runaway June has immersed themselves in a nonstop touring schedule, lighting up every stage with undeniable comradery and a strong-minded yet wildly free-spirited point of view. “My favorite thing is when people say to us, ‘We can tell how much fun you girls are having onstage, and it makes us feel good too,’” admits Wayne. “We always want everyone to feel like they’re a big part of what we’re doing.”
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ABOUT RUNAWAY JUNE:
Formed in 2015, Runaway June is an all-female band made up of three powerhouse musicians with no limit to their talent and effortless charisma. With their past triumphs including the GOLD-certified radio hit “Buy My Own Drinks,” the trio has earned ACM and CMT nominations, plus supported Country icons like Carrie Underwood with their electrifying live set – all while drawing major critical acclaim for releases like their 2019 full-length debut BLUE ROSES. Consisting of founding member Jennifer Wayne and fellow vocalists/multi-instrumentalists Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward, Runaway June delivers a timeless yet undeniably fresh sound reflecting their eclectic sensibilities and wide-ranging backgrounds. Wayne is a California native who started out on a path as a tennis pro before forming her first band, then began writing for artists like Eric Paslay soon after her post-college move to Nashville; Stovall took up classical violin at age four in Central Tennessee, launched her music career by playing fiddle in the Opryland Kids Club, attended Berklee College of Music, and eventually linked up with Wayne while on tour with her former band; and Woodward got her start playing solo gigs all over South Carolina at 14, studied songwriting and music business at Middle Tennessee State University, and later embarked on a solo career as a singer/songwriter. With new music promised, Runaway June recently brought their harmony-fueled and high-energy brand of Country to the bold and unbridled 2022 single “BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS).”

Interviews, Music

Interview: Smithfield’s Fan Funded Ep ‘New Town’ is a Work of Heart!

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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to interview country duo Smithfield. It was a lovely summer day in Los Angeles and I listened as Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith told me their story. The pair have been family friends for such a long time and started their duo a decade ago. Hailing from Texas and sharing such a unique bond has allowed them to withstand the test of time. When you listen to their music, you will be transported to a sound that isn’t as common in country music today, the blending harmonies of a male and female voice. The power of a male/female duo.

There have been a few male/female duo’s over the the last couple of decades, Thompson Square and Sugarland are the most prominent. There has been so much success with each group, and yet still not enough credit to the power of the male/female duo. I was able to talk to Smithfield about the power of the female/male duo and how much they bring to the table. The story telling and the chemistry they can share on stage. We spoke about how even though there have been other male/female duos, there hasn’t been as much success with getting airplay on the radio. We mentioned how successful trio Lady A has been with similar song content and the way their songs are designed to really give equal vocals to both a male and female voice.

It has been a couple of years since their last EP release, so we chatted about their upcoming release New Town and it felt like talking with old friends. Their EP, set to release June 16, is one that was truly made in a labor of love. The project was funded by a kickstarter campaign by their fans. Variety Beat is definitely proud to be one of those contributors. As such, we were also privy to listening to a couple of songs that have yet to be released. More on that below!

Fielder spoke about recording their EP New Town that wrapped up two days before the world shut down due to the global pandemic. The duo’s plan to release the new music kept getting pushed back as they realized this was not going to just be a quick shut down, but actually go on for months and months. Once time continued to pass they decided to wait to release their new music and instead release a Christmas song, which they have always wanted to do.

Now in 2021, there are new and exciting opportunities as the country begins to open back up. It finally feels like the right time to release the EP they made a year ago. The six song EP includes two previously released tracks, “Sunday Best” and “Something Sexy.” Fielder explained the theme of the EP and how each song tells a story inside of a story. The EP shares a story about the ups and downs of relationships. Fielder described “New Town” as that freshness and newness of falling in love with somebody. “Something Sexy” is about going to that next level where things begin to get very romantic. “Burning Wings” is when you hit a bump and hard blocks in relationships. It also has rock vibe to it, which made Trey extremely happy to hear since he used to be in a rock band prior to forming the duo Smithfield. Fielder continued to explain that “Sunday Best” is when you look past those hardships and love them anyway. “I’ll Never Stop” tells the story of when things don’t work out but you still have to keep going and you still have love for that person.

Since contributing to the kickstarter, I was able to listen to “Burning Wings” and “I’ll Never Stop.” I can say with confidence that there is something on this EP for anyone who has been in a relationship. The power and harmonies of the male/female duo is something that is unexplainable.

Kickstarter Photo Exclusive!

The duo will kick off their EP release with a full band show in Nashville, June 17 to celebrate the release. They are excited to sing all their own songs with a full capacity show. They are also excited to be headlining at a venue and are grateful for the opportunity to play for their fans and get back to playing live shows again after a year of not being able to perform. Be sure to check out their new EP New Town available everywhere music is streamed June 16!

The show will be streamed live on American Songwriter’s Facebook page, SmithField’s YouTube and Facebook, 3rd & Lindsley’s Facebook page, and nugs.net. This show comes on the heels of their highly anticipated EP, which is set to release on Wednesday, June 16. Pre-save/pre-add NEW TOWN HERE.

Music

SMITHFIELD READIES THEIR “SUNDAY BEST” – BRAND-NEW SONG OUT 2/17

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Via Press Release: NASHVILLE, TENN. (February 1, 2021) – With 40 MILLION career streams, a nationwide headline tour and 30+ Grand Ole Opry performances to date, SmithField is unveiling their next chapter with the brand-new track “Sunday Best” due out February 17. Pre-save “Sunday Best” here.
 
Penned by the duo’s Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith with Trannie Anderson and Ian Christian, and produced by ACM Award-winner Derek Wells and Adam Wood, “Sunday Best,” is a cathartic anthem about accepting a lover’s true self while nodding to the societal expectations that SmithField experienced while growing up in rural Texas.
 
“We’re beyond excited to start this next chapter of our story. The experiences that we’ve had so far, have made us the best versions of ourselves, and given us some unique stories to tell. We feel this new music is the perfect translation of who we are. This is what SmithField was always meant to be.” – Jennifer & Trey (SmithField)
 


“Sunday Best” follows a whirlwind journey since the emerging independent duo turned heads with their infectious single “Hey Whiskey,” featured as a SiriusXM Highway Find and selling more than 100K downloads. The best-of-friends pair have performed at several high-profile festivals including Stagecoach, CMA Fest, Faster Horses, Lake Shake, Watershed and more, while also sharing the bill with some of Country’s biggest stars including Brothers Osborne, Morgan Wallen and Old Dominion. Their 2019 WE MAKE OUR OWN EP continued to strike a chord with their loyal fan base, launching in the Top 10 of the iTunes Country Albums chart. 
 
Putting a modern spin on one of the genre’s greatest traditions – the male-female duet – SmithField effortlessly blends the classic with the contemporary, while showcasing their unique brand of two-sided storytelling. Taste of Country praises they “play off one another with the natural ease” while Rolling Stone highlights the two “find their strength in what multiple voices can bring to the table.” 
 
“Sunday Best” previews SmithField’s anticipated EP, due out in 2021. 

Interviews, Music

Interview: Rachele Lynae Gets Candid About Sophomore Album “Every Reason”

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Singer-Songwriter, Rachele Lynae is gearing up to release her sophomore album Every Reason Friday, May 22, on her wedding anniversary! She has been writing songs since the age of 12 and has worked very closely with Jamie O’Neal on her self-titled debut album. She has shared the stage with artists like Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Kelsea Ballerini, Randy Houser and more!

Ahead of the release of Every Reason, she spoke to Variety Beat about making the album, the inspiration behind some of the songs, and how she’s been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Variety Beat: Congratulations on your new album, Every Reason, releasing May 22!  How long was this collection of songs in the making?

Rachele Lynae: Thanks so much!! I’m SO excited to finally share this music with the world. This album has been in the works for quite a while as some of these songs were written up to four years ago. Many of them were written in 2018. Recording the album was mostly finished in the Spring of 2019, with a couple of small tweaks happening after that and as recently as the start of this year.  It always surprises me how long it takes to write, record and put out an album, but it’s so worth the wait!

VB: You co-wrote all of the songs on the new project, so what back stories do you have from your favorite songs?

RL: All of these songs are my favorite! haha! I could tell you back stories about all of them. Like most of my writing, the majority of these songs are highly inspired by personal experience. Some of them start with personal experience and then they take on a life of their own. I took the title of the album from “Running Out Of Reasons,” and the song is probably the most word for word my experience of the bunch….from a story telling perspective. It’s the story of my husband and I when we were dating.

VB: Was the concept of the album mainly about your husband and marriage?

RL: It turned out that way almost by accident. I’ve always thought that albums should be a picture of where the artist is at that point in time, whether stylistically, personally or both. This album is definitely a snapshot of this season of my life. I had a vision for the feeling I wanted the music to give me and the overall sound.  Love and marriage being woven into most of the songs just came naturally.

VB: What is the message you hope fans will take away from the album?

RL: I guess if there is an overarching message it would be the beauty of love, whether that’s loving someone else or learning to love yourself. I hope that it makes people feel inspired and free. 

VB: This has been such a unique time for everyone with the COVID-19 pandemic, so how have you been promoting the album during this time of lockdown?

 RL: I always planned on releasing singles ahead of the album, and I decided to stay on schedule. People need music, especially when they are stuck in their homes for such a long time. Most of the promotion has been online through the build up of each song being released, and of course through wonderful people like y’all at Variety Beat! 😀

VB: Has the down time made it easier or more difficult to be more creative?

RL: Haha! It really depends on the day. It’s definitely been a difficult time to focus, but I’ve never played the guitar this much in my life so a lot of creativity has come out of my scatterbrained mayhem.

VB: How are you finding ways to still connect with others…..fans and other artists?

RL: Social media has really come in for the win on this. My sister, Heather Cole, and I have been hosting virtual writer’s rounds, inviting other artists to share original music. It’s been fun!  I have honestly been more consistent on my socials than I have ever been during this time. I’m so thankful for everyone who continues to support the arts right now.

Every Reason Track Listing (with songwriter credits):
1.    Braggin’ On Ya – (Rachele Lynae/Robin Schorr)
2.    Got It Bad – (Rachele Lynae/Hannah Bethel/Jamie O’Neal)
3.    Run Away – Rachele Lynae/Brittany Ray/Heather Cole)
4.    Ground Me – (Rachele Lynae/Emily Jubb/Gina Venier)
5.    Can You – (Rachele Lynae/Caitlin Cannon)
6.    Vinyl – (Rachele Lynae/Brittany Ray)
7.    Running Out Of Reasons – (Rachele Lynae/Emily Jubb/Scott Lindsey)
8.    Cut Me Off – (Rachele Lynae/Jessica Roadcap/David Dorn)
9.    Breaking Chains – (Rachele Lynae/Jessica Roadcap/David Dorn)
10.    Enough – (Rachele Lynae/Kenny Fuller)
11.    Oh My Heart – (Rachele Lynae/Emily Jubb)
12.    Come This Far – (Rachele Lynae/Dee Briggs)

Rachele Lynae to Perform Online Concert for New Album “Every Reason” on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 pm CDT

Nashville, Tenn. (May 19, 2020) —– Singer-Songwriter Rachele Lynae, will be hosting her Album Release Party on Facebook Live in support of her new album, Every Reason.  The project releases this Friday, and the virtual party will begin at 7:00 pm CDT. Lynae will perform six songs from the album with her band. The long-awaited album, including 12 songs co-written by the artist, is a great work of art that is definitely worth the wait.

Lynae has been treating fans to five months of singles from Every Reason, with “Ground Me” being the latest. The singles have generated attention for the new album, with both “Ground Me” and “Got It Bad” being featured on Spotify-curated playlist, New Music Nashville, and “Got It Bad,” getting a strong review from Music Row Magazine’s Robert K. Oermann, “Breezy pop-country with some cool dynamics in a production that shifts from stripped down ‘open’ verses to swirly, rushing, lush choruses. Highly listenable. This troubadour has it going on in both songwriting talent and vocal finesse.”

Every Reason is one of the most personal projects that Lynae has ever done, as the songs are inspired by her own life experience. In fact, the album is being released on May 22nd in celebration of her wedding anniversary to her husband Tim. It’s clear Rachele knew the sound and message she wanted to deliver. This album is about love, being inspired and feeling free to truly love yourself and someone else.

Music

Kelleigh Bannen Gives Some Beautiful Optimism With New Song “The Optimist” – Listen!

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If you’re tired of being in lockdown, you’re not alone. Country Artist and Host of ‘Today’s Country” on Beats 1, Kelleigh Bannen has just released a new song that is so beautiful and full of hope, it’s exactly what we need right now.

Bannen teased the release of the new song on her socials the day before, even playing a bit of it on the piano, in her bathrobe. She recorded this version in her kitchen and then sent it to Bowen for production. It’s honestly one of the best releases she’s put out.

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The song was written by Bannen, Will Bowen and Claire Douglas last fall. Bannen wasn’t planning on releasing it, but it seemed fitting during this time.

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Bannen shared: “The pace of all of our lives has slowed down so much, and I need a little extra hope right now … doesn’t everybody? This song is about seeing the world with a fresh, and hopeful perspective. It was recorded as a simple piano vocal, and was only ever supposed to be a demo. When I heard the song back, it just struck me differently in this season we’re all weathering, so I wanted to share it.”

LISTEN TO “THE OPTIMIST”

Some of the amazing lyrics

“I’ve had my doubts that happy-ever-after, ever works out/ but you made this cynic believe./Every broken heart/is the beginning of another new start of the next great love story.”

“I believe in second chances/wine drunk kitchen dances/magic just ain’t on TV/but I can’t believe/you made an optimist out of me.”

“I believe forgiveness is contagious/whoever says it first is the bravest/only fight to make up/champagne just because/miracles happen every day