Coupling the talents of regional musicians and the stories behind their originals make for a listening experience unlike any other in the Treasure State. In that spirit, Montana Homegrown Radio finishes off the homestretch spring with a pair of notable acts!
A new episode featuring mountain folkster Wes Urbaniak is set to drop Saturday, May 18th. Originially from Billings, his experimental expressionism puts fire to the gasoline structure of folk music. His songwriting is a quilting of life lived, lessons learned, humility sought, and understanding earned through the processes of becoming a steady and thoughtful man. Urbaniak works the range on the acoustic guitar, often times playing both rhythm and melodic lead, while singing and putting it down on the stomp plate.
Homegrown recently featured Richie Reinholdt and Britt Arnesen whose duo project, Britchy, is a staple in the Missoula music scene and beyond. The pair is known for its distinctive Americana featuring fine pickin’ and timeless songwriting. They’ve released three albums, including 2016’s entirely self-produced Two-Lane Highway.
Missoulian guitar player and songwriter Jackson Holte also visited the Montana Homegrown studio to record a recent episode. He’s played with Newlyweds, Gooseberries, and now fronts his own band, Jackson Holte & the Highway Patrol, whose debut EP released last fall. Holte’s solo set expands on the Americana sound that has made the Highway Patrol a barroom favorite in Western Montana, also delving into his roots with folk songwriting and blues guitar playing. His dexterous picking breathes life into sturdy songs, bounding across genres to complement a mature voice that is alternately insightful or irreverent.
Montana Homegrown Radio is an online independent musician showcase featuring different area acts with every episode. Presented much like a live broadcast radio show, each hosted episode includes an interview component, discussion, and of course – live music!
Host Dirk Alan is a native Montanan who’s been in the music business for the last four decades. With a passion for music and helping his fellow musicians, Dirk provides a very laid back, fun environment so radio guests can be as comfortable and spontaneous as possible.
Montana Homegrown Radio serves as a promotional space for local talent and their many art forms – and they want YOU! Any musician with a story to tell and a song to sing is encouraged to apply for a guest spot on the podcast.
Visit www.montanahomegrownradio.com to catch up with the fantastic Montana musicians who have been featured thus far, or to submit an application for a future edition. Be sure to keep an eye out for additional guests as they’re announced. •