Artists
Vincent Neil Emerson
and Shooter Jennings, respectively. With his fourth album, Blue Stars, Vincent brings together the distinct sound from all three of his previous releases. Produced by Patrick Lyons and recorded at Gnome Studios in Nashville, TN, the record benefits from Lyons' deeply intuitive approach, having been close friends with Vincent for many years. For Emerson, it was important to capture the sound from the road as closely as possible, enlisting his touring Red Horse Band to play on the album. "I've known Patrick for years and going into the studio with him felt like a big family kind of
thing with my band."
Blue Stars features 13 original songs and is a testament to his songwriting prowess. Having dabbled across country, folk, and Americana music with his first three records, Emerson brings all three of those genres together with his latest release. Lyrically, these songs are rooted in his upbringing in East Texas, life on the road, and his deep family ties to Louisiana - three landscapes that continue to shape his perspective and inform his writing. "I was definitely thinking a lot about my childhood in Texas and the trips to Louisiana to visit my mother's family there. A lot of the music I love comes from those areas, and I think it's important to have a sense of pride in where you come from."
But sonically, Blue Stars reaches wider. It brings together the hard country sound of his early work, the stripped down intimacy of his self-titled record, and the bold rock n' roll of The Golden Crystal Kingdom. The result is a record that offers something for every listener who has followed his journey - while also serving as a perfect entry point for those just discovering his music.
Kade Hoffman
Rooted in the unmistakable soul of the West, Kade Hoffman emerges with a sound that strikes a rare balance - classic in essence, yet undeniably unique. Proudly from the plains of southeastern Colorado, the 21-year-old grew up immersed in agriculture - ranching beside his family and steeped in the rhythms of rural life. Holding full writing credits on all his original music, he crafts each song with intention, relaying his deeply personal and authentic style throughout his work.
In 2022, the singer-songwriter delivered his first-ever release, “Bonfire Blues” - a simple yet captivating single recorded simply on his phone. Despite its humble origins, the track attracted countless listeners and has amassed millions of streams to date. He furthered his momentum with stand out releases such as “Wanderlust,” Lady Luck” and his debut EP, Relics, and has found himself touring alongside artists such as Colter Wall, Noeline Hofmann, Sam Barber, and Wade Forster, cementing himself in the well established yet quickly growing country-western scene. Unbound by trends and driven solely by a genuine artistic vision, Hoffman stands as an artist both unforgettable and unwavering - one who cannot be ignored in an industry yearning for exactly that.