Vincent Neil Emerson

Vincent Neil Emerson has become a staple among folk and country music fans nationwide, celebrated for his honest tales of life on the road, heartbreak, and struggles of all sorts. His first LP, Fried Chicken & Evil Women (2019), introduced him as a refreshing voice in modern country; those songs were charming and playful but didn't reveal the entirety of his story.

On his new album, The Golden Crystal Kingdom, Emerson moves beyond the honky-tonk country singer role and becomes a chronicler of his history. The record continues threads from his earlier work, with songs like the title track exploring feelings left over from nights playing Texas honky-tonks and dancehalls, and "The Time of The Rambler," inspired by early days living in his car and busking on the streets.

Key songs and collaborators:
- "Learning to Drown" (from his self-titled album) addresses feelings of abandonment and loss.
- "Ballad of the Choctaw Apache" (from 2021's self-titled album) examines the devastating history of his tribe.
- "Man From Uvalde" was written after the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas; Emerson initially hesitated to include it, then sent a demo to Steve Earle for feedback. Emerson says Steve told him he really liked the song, offered ideas, and that encouragement gave him confidence to include it on the album.
- He covers Charley Crockett's "Time of the Cottonwood Trees."
- Production and collaborators on The Golden Crystal Kingdom include Shooter Jennings, Steve Earle, and Rodney Crowell. Emerson says, "I didn't really want to model this record after anybody else's music, but I've been heavily influenced by a lot of old rock and roll music from the sixties and seventies singer-songwriter music."

Background: Emerson was born and partly raised in East Texas within his Choctaw-Apache family and spent much of his life moving around the state. Raised by a single mother, he lost his father to suicide when he was nine. His grandparents had brought the family to Texas from Louisiana. Those roots and experiences are central to his songwriting and perspective.

Sonically, The Golden Crystal Kingdom expands into rock and roll territory, drawing on electric folk influences while retaining Emerson's storytelling and the feel of his live shows.

Kade Hoffman

Rooted in the soul of the West, Kade Hoffman is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from southeastern Colorado. He grew up immersed in agriculture and ranching, and holds full writing credits on all his original music, crafting songs in a direct, personal style.

Notable releases and activity:
- 2022 single "Bonfire Blues," recorded on his phone, has amassed millions of streams.
- Other releases include "Wanderlust," "Lady Luck," and the debut EP Relics.
- He has toured alongside Colter Wall, Noeline Hofmann, Sam Barber, and Wade Forster.

Both artists draw on personal history and friendships to shape their music and writing.