No one ever said country music had to be simple, and when Austin Lucas began thinking about the follow-up to his critically acclaimed 2013 album, Stay Reckless, he had a lot on his mind. The Indiana troubadour wanted to do something not only different from his own work, but unlike anything else being done in the realm of country music and Americana. Between The Moon And The Midwest (2016) married traditional and cosmic country sounds with sharp, vivid storytelling in a fully realized album concept.
Citing influences like Buck Owens and George Jones, Lucas had wanted to record a fully country album since 2011’s A New Home In The Old World. Enlisting the help of Joey Kneiser – guitarist and vocalist of the Tennessee band Glossary, they crafted a sound that, while rooted in outlaw and hard country, was infused with ’60s psychedelic pop like the Zombies and the Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds. The result was a finely produced sound layered with guitar, vocal harmonies and atmospheric harmonics. Between The Moon And The Midwest is unique in its mix of sounds, songwriting, and influences.
Following an extensive bout of touring in 2017, Lucas began rehearsing and recorded another album this December, which will hit the streets sometime in 2018. Somehow he found time to share his favorite 11 albums of the year with Ghettoblaster. Here they are:
Here’s my 11 best, in no particular order, for 2017…
Lee Baines III, Youth Detention
Tristen, Sneaker Waves
Will Johnson, Hatteras night, a good luck charm
Converge, The Dusk In Us
Daniel Romano, Modern Pressure
The Smith Street Band, More Scared Of You…
Marty Stuart, Way Out West
John Moreland, Big Bad Luv
Shane Torres, Established 1981
Jon Latham, Lifers
Digger Barnes, Near Exit 27
Visit Austin Lucas here: https://www.austinlucas.com/