Caitlyn Smith, courtesy: Shervin Lainez. If you ask, Nashville singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith will tell you that a supernova is the fullest, brightest expression of a star in its final moments. But the artist, who built a career of songwriting for stars before her own ignited, hopes her second album—titled…

Clockwise from top left: Diana DeMuth, Little Hurt, Peter Bjorn and John, Hannah Diamond, Jackie and Caitlyn Smith. Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at our fingertips. Artists on platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp are plentiful, and the radio offers a steady deluge of new singles, but…

Clockwise from top left: Claire George, Jen Dior, DEYO, Ricky Remedy featuring Smokepurpp and Zay27, Puma Blue and Caitlyn Smith. Every week, there’s a plethora of new music at our fingertips. Artists on platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp are plentiful, and the radio offers a steady deluge of new…

Messing around with COIN at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 25, 2018. Photo: Roman Gokhman. I think this column is morphing into more of a “my favorite Roman stories” list, but what still holds true is that memorable interviews still lead better stories. I tell the RIFF staff, which…

Caitlyn Smith photographed at BottleRock Napa Valley on May 25, 2018. Photos: Martin Lacey. For every star Music City churns out, there are 100 other artists struggling to break through. Even many of the success stories have rough beginnings, like Chris Stapleton, Margo Price or Maren Morris, all of…

Muse performs at BottleRock 2018. Photos: Alessio Neri, Martin Lacey and courtesy NAPA — Muse electrified BottleRock Napa Valley during the first day of the annual festival with a blistering set chock full of the band’s biggest hits from throughout its 20-year-old catalog. Muse defined what it means to be…