Justin Hiltner

Nashville

Associate Editor and Digital Brand Director at The Bluegrass Situation

Birds, bois, banjo, Black liberation = queer liberation. You know why I'm not as active here anymore. Find me elsewhere:

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Articles

Basic Folk: Jon Muq

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Lizzie No |Justin Hiltner

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country’s capital of Kampala), Jon Muq‘s journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and “We Are the World,” which was the first Western music he ever experienced.
Marlon Williams' 'Te Whare Tīwekaweka' Is a Homecoming Like Never Before

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Martyn Pepperell |Justin Hiltner

When he was in his early twenties, Marlon Williams watched a series of major earthquakes flatten Ōtautahi/Christchurch, the largest city in Te Waipounamu (the South Island of New Zealand). In the wake of that tragedy, the Māori New Zealand artist ascended onto the national and later international stage as a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor with a million-dollar smile and a golden, heaven-sent voice.
Six of the Best Alison Krauss Covers

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Dana Yewbank |Justin Hiltner

Alison Krauss has been recording and releasing music with her band, Union Station, for longer than she’s been able to legally drink or vote. Along the way, she’s been a key influence in the lives and careers of countless other musicians, many of whom have recorded and performed covers of their favorite Alison Krauss material.
GC 5+5: Rebecca Lynn Howard

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Justin Hiltner

Artist: Rebecca Lynn Howard Hometown: Salyersville, Kentucky Latest Album: I’m Not Who You Think I Am (out May 2, 2025) Personal Nicknames (or rejected band names): My family and friends call me Aunt BWhat has been the best advice you’ve received in your career so far? The best advice I’ve ever received is to tell the truth, no matter how hard, no matter how messy. People don’t connect with perfection, they connect with honesty. When I started writing from that place, everything changed.
MIXTAPE: Tony Kamel's "We're All Gonna Live" Playlist

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Justin Hiltner

Life is weird. In the words of Dan Reeder, “What the fuck is that about?”Everyone tells me I seem mellow and laid back – and I am. That said, if anyone were to take one step into my head, they’d be bombarded with a maelstrom of wonderings about death, intrusive thoughts, forgotten location of keys and wallets, constant attempts (mostly failures) at descriptive alliteration, wildly sweeping feeling of love, wildly sweeping feelings of grief – and constant hunger.
MIXTAPE: Michigan Rattlers' Rebirth of Spring Playlist

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Justin Hiltner

Spring is a transformation. A reawakening. A rebirth. Time marches on and no matter how cold the winter may be, the spring arrives and reminds us that we can start again. These songs represent that sound and spirit. The past three years have felt like a long spring for our band. From writing and recording our album, Waving From A Sea, to now playing those songs every night on tour, we have found the warmth and growth within ourselves.
You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Liam St. John with Molly Tuttle, the Faux Paws, and More

1 week ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Justin Hiltner

Hop aboard another edition of our weekly round-up of new music and premieres!This time, we’re grabbing a ride on a Greyhound with blues rocker Liam St. John and Molly Tuttle for a special live performance video of “Greyhound Bus Blues,” that’s a truly lovely roots duet. There are a few more stops for this bus, though, so hold on! Next, the Faux Paws take us to New York City and while that city (never) sleeps they cover Jimmy Martin’s “Night” a new single and video, shot by Dylan Ladds.
Folk Trio the Wildwoods' New Album is a Love Letter to Nebraska

2 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Michael Berick |Justin Hiltner

The Wildwoods are not shy about the pride they hold for their home state, Nebraska. The Lincoln-based trio – guitarist/vocalist Noah Gose, violinist/vocalist Chloe Gose, and bassist/vocalist Andy Vaggalis – named their gorgeous new album, Dear Meadowlark (out April 11), after the state bird, while songs like “Sweet Niobrara” and “I Will Follow You To Willow” represent odes to specific Nebraska towns.
Basic Folk: Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton

2 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Cindy Howes |Lizzie No |Justin Hiltner

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show Hadestown, delving into the challenges of acting and the lessons learned from stepping outside her musical comfort zone.
Sierra Hull & Billy Strings Do Traditional Bluegrass Justice with a Duet on Austin City Limits

2 weeks ago | thebluegrasssituation.com | Justin Hiltner

Last week, Austin City Limits released an excellent bluegrass performance from their Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years broadcast, which debuted on April 4 on PBS. Mandolinist Sierra Hull and guitar phenom Billy Strings appeared on the special ACL show, performing a classic bluegrass number, “Midnight on the Stormy Deep,” a traditional song that entered the bluegrass canon via Bill Monroe himself.