Stephanie Lambring’s new album - her second - is called Hypocrite, and it blew me away on first listen because of the way its sophisticated production supports some mind-jarring and elegantly sculpted lyrics. She’s a rural Indiana native whose writing talents in her early Nashville days led to a major publishing deal at 23. The Music Row machine didn’t work for her ultimately, and after a hiatus she leaned into telling her own story, leading to an acclaimed debut in 2020. Now on her latest, she deftly investigates women navigating a 21st century digital panopticon of social pressure, conformity, autonomy and fulfillment.

Not every community has a hearty pirate in its midst, so if you’re lucky enough to have one, remember to appreciate him, because one day the pirate could be gone, and you’ll realize how much you lost. The East Nashville music scene lost its pirate on Aug. 31, when singer, songwriter, actor and bandleader Tom Mason passed away in his home town of Minneapolis after a battle with cancer at the age of 65.

Formed in Dallas in 1992, Old 97’s became one of the seminal bands of the alternative country movement, alongside Whiskeytown, Son Volt, the Bottle Rockets and BR549. At its heart was the longtime friendship of bass player Murry Hammond and guitarist/songwriter Rhett Miller. Remarkably, across 13 albums and millions of miles, Old 97’s remains the same quartet that broke out on Bloodshot Records three decades ago. They’re still having fun and keeping company with their large base of lifelong fans. Craig made a field trip to Lexington, KY this summer to catch a show and sit down with Miller to talk about the long road and the newest album American Primitive.