Raised in central Virginia, deep in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Juliet McConkey has always possessed a deep understanding of nature and interpersonal relationships that only comes from a rural upbringing. That is articulated sincerely and thoughtfully in her songwriting. With a voice as singular as they come as the impermeable vessel, her songs are a deep inhale in a world in need of a breath of fresh air.
On Juliet McConkey's debut release Disappearing Girl (2020), the songwriter ushers us through the threshold of the hidden places. Places we don't care to speak about in our daily conversations, yet they are the things that are realities for most of us. It wasn't until Juliet met up with producer Scott Davis (Jamie Lin Wilson, Katie Toupin) in downtown Houston at long-time Sugar Hill engineer Steve Christensen's studio, were these songs developed and realized.
"Disappearing Girl, the debut LP from Juliet McConkey, reveals an old soul in the understated beauty arising from earnest observation of quiet moments and lives. The native Virginian, two years deep into Texas, keeps an unhurried pace, with only one of the album's nine songs under the four-minute mark. McConkey lets the stories gracefully bloom, her no-frills, gorgeous vocals ringing with a calm hearkening to Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith. Narratives of domestic struggle, abuse, endurance, and want flow behind characters drawn in tragedy and hope with a rich lyrical detail and emotional depth. Consider Disappearing Girl the most promising introduction by a local songwriter since Carson McHone." -Doug Freeman, Austin Chronicle
"Here's a heart that beats with the pulse of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But it's Juliet McConkey's songwriting connecting to the universally heartfelt emotional roller coaster that pierces right through."-Laurie Gallardo, KUTX Austin
"Overall, many artists who have been at this for years would kill to make an album this good, and Juliet did it on her first try." -David Overstreet, The Amp
About James:
Authentic Texas country music made by a native Texan raised in Saudi Arabia. A cross-breed between Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle, and Ryan Bingham.
"As usual with James Steinle, who is a brilliant songwriter, you'll enjoy the storytelling, in songs as "Fisherman's Haul" or "Spearfishing for Grouper".
"The Echo Sound" is an album that will be appreciated by all those who love authenticity and quality songwriting and music. If you listen to this artist for the first time, I strongly recommend you to also listen to James Steinle's precedent albums, particularly his brilliant debut "South Texas Homecoming".
Nicolas Davelu"
