Lindi Ortega comes from a stellar group of country singer-songwriters hailing from the Great White North. The Toronto-born Ortega’s Liberty, her seventh studio album, is her most ambitious to date. The 12-track concept album is constructed with the narrative arc of a motion picture, with each of the three…

Courtesy: Anna Webber Three albums into an acclaimed music career, and unable to enjoy making music anymore, New Jersey singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins decided to face her demon—alcohol—head-on. She checked into rehab, where among her peers she met a music producer. Nicole Atkins Lauren Ruth Ward, Thayer Sarrano 9 p.m.,…

Photos: Alessio Neri Southern folk and country was brought back to San Francisco with The Kernal setting the tone with some good old fashion country reminiscent of Johnny Cash. John Paul White brought it home with the emotion that had been stirring within him during his four years away from music.…

John Paul White, courtesy. John Paul White would be hard-pressed to find a more momentous day for The Civil Wars than Feb. 12, 2012. The guitarist-vocalist and his former partner, Joy Williams, performed in the round at the Grammy’s, surrounded by their most successful peers. They also took home…

SAN FRANCISCO — John Paul White wanted an intimate show. He got it Monday night at Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, playing to a small but captivated throng as he unveiled every track from his forthcoming second solo album, Beulah, due Aug. 19. The album marks his first…