Amos Perrine

New York

Writer at No Depression

Writer at Freelance

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Articles

THROUGH THE LENS: Vinyl Update & Other Roots Music Releases to Savor

1 week ago | nodepression.org | Amos Perrine

It's mini-review time again. This week the column looks at four new roots music releases, three that have not gotten as much attention as they deserve and one by a legend that comes out next month. There’s also an update on four stellar vinyl blues re-issues that serve the dual purpose of making great-sounding records available to roots music lovers and continuing to make roots music readily accessible to audiophiles.
THROUGH THE LENS: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2025

2 weeks ago | nodepression.org | Amos Perrine

Spread across 14 stages the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 24–May 4, 2025) transformed the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course into a sprawling celebration of every style of American music. 5,000 musicians gave their all to nearly half a million fans, which is in itself an achievement of the monumental sort. Those fans come from all around the world to soak in the culture, and the vibe, that has made the New Orleans a fertile place for American musical innovation.
THROUGH THE LENS: Australia’s Byron Bay Bluesfest 2025

3 weeks ago | nodepression.org | Amos Perrine

Byron Bay Bluesfest, held over Easter weekend since 1990, has long been regarded as Australia’s premier roots music festival, as well as being one of the world’s leading destination festivals. Reduced from five to four days (April 17-20, 2025) this year, Bluesfest still attracted the third largest crowd in its history, with more than 100,000 attendees. Once again, our loyal and enthusiastic Australian correspondent Steve Ford was there.
THROUGH THE LENS: Changes in the Air at Stagecoach and High Water Festivals

4 weeks ago | nodepression.org | Amos Perrine

This year’s edition of MerleFest, which took place in Wilkesboro, North Carolina from April 24-27, 2025, was the epitome of how Doc Watson described the festival he and his wife Rosa Lee founded in 1988 to honor their son Merle — “traditional plus.” To make it even more inviting, the
THROUGH THE LENS: MerleFest 2025 Highlights - Tami Neilson, The War & Treaty, Stephen Wilson Jr., and More

1 month ago | nodepression.org | Amos Perrine

This year’s edition of MerleFest, which took place in Wilkesboro, North Carolina from April 24-27, 2025, was the epitome of how Doc Watson described the festival he and his wife Rosa Lee founded in 1988 to honor their son Merle — “traditional plus.” To make it even more inviting, the weather fully cooperated, as the predicted rain was replaced by cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and tranquil evenings. In other words, perfection.
THROUGH THE LENS: MerleFest 2025 Highlights - Tami Neilson, The War & Treaty, Stephen Wilson Jr., and More

1 month ago | nodepression.com | Amos Perrine

This year’s edition of MerleFest, which took place in Wilkesboro, North Carolina from April 24-27, 2025, was the epitome of how Doc Watson described the festival he and his wife Rosa Lee founded in 1988 to honor their son Merle — “traditional plus.” To make it even more inviting, the weather fully cooperated, as the predicted rain was replaced by cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and tranquil evenings. In other words, perfection.
THROUGH THE LENS: Treefort Music Fest 2025 - The SXSW of the Rocky Mountains

1 month ago | nodepression.com | Amos Perrine

When one thinks of locations for world class multi-disciplinary arts festivals, Idaho may not immediately come to mind. But with more than 420 bands, artists, storytellers, comedians, workshops, film presentations and other activities, the Treefort Music Fest in Boise has become just that. With 13 “forts” spread across 46 venues (more descriptions here), the festival celebrated its 13th incarnation when it took over the downtown area of its state capitol for five days in March 2025.
THROUGH THE LENS: Best Bets for MerleFest 2025

1 month ago | nodepression.com | Amos Perrine

One-hundred artists are scheduled to perform across 12 stages at this year’s MerleFest, to be held April 24-27, 2025 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The artists highlighted below are, with a couple notable exceptions, ones that regular MerleFest attendees may not be that familiar with. Most are first-timers, and all but four play sets that do not require reserved seats to be up close.
THROUGH THE LENS: Roots Music Roars Through Austin, Texas During SXSW 2025

2 months ago | nodepression.com | Amos Perrine

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, South by Southwest (SXSW) has become, like its host city, many things to many people. The event has grown to incorporate tech, fashion, design, film, television, exhibitions, comedy, education, gaming and other cultural endeavors as well as music. The schedule of the Music Festival portion of SXSW listed 1,127 official showcase performers, in 90 separate genres, from 54 countries.
THROUGH THE LENS: Big Ears Festival 2025 Digs Deep

2 months ago | nodepression.com | Amos Perrine

Founded in 2009, the Big Ears Festival lays claim to bringing more diverse music acts to single locale than any other event or gathering. From roots to the avant-garde, the fest brings together performers from around the world to music and other arts aficionados who are also from around the world, all to the heart of Appalachia in Knoxville, Tennessee. The irony is not lost on anyone who has ever participated in Big Ears.