PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Music is a fundamental part of how we communicate. A song can encapsulate a moment, an idea, or a feeling better than words alone ever could. That’s why mixtapes were once so popular.
Music spreads cultural ideas through communities and brings people together.
Some songs can make you feel happy or angry or motivated. Some songs remind us of people we miss or our favorite places. We attach memories and emotions to the songs that are on repeat in our lives.
Some songs belong on a mixtape of summer classics because they’re able to communicate a classic summer feeling, like sitting around a campfire or soaking up the sun at the beach. They make summer better.
This year’s tide has already brought some gold ashore. Here’s a shortlist of songs everyone should have in their summer playlist from this summer:
Corduroy Brown – ‘Medicine’
Corduroy Brown is an indie rock singer-songwriter and mental health advocate based out of Huntington, West Virginia. He can be found playing a classic Placid blue strat around the tri-state area.
Summer songs can be defined by their lyrics or by an upbeat rhythm or melody, with “Medicine” ‘Roy delivers on both fronts. This song might be the most danceable on the list.
Sundy Best – ‘Above Ground’
It’s summer in a mining town and love is in the air. If anyone can construct a perfect summer song it’s Prestonburg folk-rock/country duo Sundy Best. Sundy Best is back and touring with Muscadine Bloodline starting next week.
Shakey Graves – ‘Ready or Not (feat. Sierra Ferrell)’
This song starts with a driving, simple beat and duet vocals: “Ready or not, here comes the weekend.” Hitting the ground running, this makes the perfect party song. Sierra Ferrell is from Charleston, W.Va., and has been touring internationally and around the U. S.
The Local Honeys – ‘Dead Horses’
Off their self-titled major label debut on La Honda records, “Dead Horses” draws its meter and imagery from classic Appalachian folk ballads. The rhythm matches the gait of an old Horse. Despite mournful lyrics, “Dead Horses” makes the perfect riding or campfire song.
A Kentucky-based band, the Local Honeys are touring in support of their album around Kentucky and the Midwest.
These songs and more are featured on the Fresh Off the Still playlist on Spotify. Go to musicalmoonshine.com/playlists to follow the playlist and never miss a fresh batch of shine.
Phill Barnett is a senior correspondent for the Mountain Citizen, a singer-songwriter, and also owns and operates his own media company, Musical Moonshine. Follow the Fresh Off the Still playlist on Spotify for the most recent releases from the best artists in the region and beyond.