Singer-songwriter is a pretty broad characterization. It could range from an indie folkie like Bon Iver to an icon like Prince. But it’s the only category that can appropriately define Rayland Baxter’s new EP, ashkeLon. Baxter started buzzing last year from the attention surrounding his full-length release with ATO Records, feathers and fishHooks. Paste Magazine announced its release, and his native hamlet of East Nashville added one more mustachioed Americana musician to its numbers. But ashkeLon (also with ATO Records) takes a step back from the Americana brand and the studio gloss. He has disengaged himself from that label.
His new EP jumps from a feeling of freedom on “Driveaway Melody” to a stripped down version of “The Mtn Song,” which first appeared on feathers and fishHooks. AshkeLon was recorded live in just one day. The EP seems to be Rayland Baxter’s way of asking not to be pigeonholed as just another young Americana dude kicking around Nashville.
But he couldn’t be just another dude even if he wanted. His dad is a renowned pedal steel player who worked with Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, and Ryan Adams. Baxter grew up around music and his childhood influences are evident in his work. This is putting it mildly, since ashkeLon‘s inspirations create a rollercoaster of energy ranging from a melancholy acoustic sound to staccato drum beats accompanying jangling guitars.
Baxter revs up the energy on “Bad Things,” a hard-hitting blues song about the consequences of committing big black sins. It follows the lineage of Junior Kimbrough, whose guitar and voice made songs about going to jail sound very cool. A hollow-bodied electric guitar comes through a fuzz effect and rips into the chorus of “Bad Things” along with punchy drums and lots of cymbal. The bold blues music suggests that Baxter doesn’t care about the consequences he has incurred. Fans of early Black Keys material will be disappointed to know that it is the only song on the EP like it.
“Bad Things” inserts itself between the sweet and sunny songs “Driveaway Melody” and “The Mtn Song.” Taking a tip from late ‘60s musicians like Van Morrison, “Driveaway Melody” uses the semi-hollow body electric guitar to its bright, joyful potential. Baxter sings hopeful lyrics: “Let’s go. Never mind the weather on the high road. Yesterday is nothing like tomorrow.” “The Mtn Song” demonstrates Baxter’s whistling chops and makes an engagement proposal as simple and sweet as a boy giving his sweetheart a bouquet of wildflowers.
The upbeat energy of the first half of the EP retreats on the last two tracks, “Ghost, Again” and “The Cold Easy Life of a Loner.” The musical qualities of these songs—acoustic guitar and female harmony— are simple; the subject matter is not. Baxter wrangles with loneliness and depression in a heartbreaking way. These songs are raw and could only come from some honest place deep within himself.
Strong songwriting, both lyrically and melodically, ties this EP together. However, ashkeLon shows a versatile young artist who hasn’t settled into any particular “brand” of sound. Rayland Baxter is a wild card: he could take his music in any direction from this point. Filter the vocals through an amp and Dan Auerbach or Jack White might come knocking on his door. Add more atmospheric synth to get a Bon Iver vibe.
But Baxter’s casual demeanor and honest music indicate that he isn’t trying to be anyone’s protégé or knockoff. His fan base will keep growing organically as he puts out songs like the ones on ashkeLon. He is the stuff of a great singer-songwriter, and in time, he’ll become his own brand.
Caroline McDonald
After dabbling in many parts of the music industry—recording studios, PR, management, labels, publishing—I’m expanding into music journalism because I’m yet to find anything more rewarding that finding and sharing new music.
A longtime sucker for girls with guitars, my musical taste unabashedly follows the songwriting lineage of Dolly Parton and includes Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, and Neko Case. But not to pigeonhole myself, my music love is big love that stretches from R.L. Burnside to Animal Collective to Lord Huron.
I’ve recently moved home to Nashville after living in Boston and Big Sur for several years. I’d forgotten how music pours onto the streets ten hours a day, seven days a week. I’m honored to share the creative explosion happening here. If your band is in the area or of the area, please reach out!
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