The Alaska Music Spotlight airs Fridays at 5:35pm on 90.3 KNBA. On July 17, 2015 we had a return visit with Alaskan Dylan Lee Johnston and friend of KNBA Megan Palmer. They’ve collaborated on music projects over the last couple years, and we had them both Live In-Studio just last August as Megan was playing throughout the State and Dylan was doing gigs with Deadhorse Highway. And of course they were at SalmonStock in 2014. Today they called in from their new home-base in Nashville, TN. Both artists are working on new solo albums, but we'll hear about many other folks who helped and we'll hear a few selected singles from their upcoming releases.
"For years I've been talking with Tim Easton and Megan Palmer about driving out to Nashville to record a full length LP. One year ago I finally drove out East to cut the record. We recorded nine tracks in nine days, working with Patrick Damphier @ Club Roar. We kept six of those tracks, and finished them. What I originally thought would be a stripped down solo record transformed into something much more complex. Working with mostly vintage instruments, preamps and a studio with everything I could dream up to play, we couldn't help but bring in the whole band. I've had the honor to work with a lot of incredible artists on the record, including;
Sallie Ford, Sam Doores, Megan Palmer, Tim Easton, Bucky Baxter, Martin Zarzar, Kai Welch, Aaron Till, Galen Ballinger, Ariel Bui & Patrick Damphier.
This summer I toured Alaska for seven weeks then returned to Tennessee to finish this record. With a greater concept of what it takes to make a record a composition from beginning to end, I wrote six new tracks, and arranged a few older ones, and have set out to finish a twelve track record.
I have a clear concept of what it takes to do this and have booked six days in the studio in July. I'll be working with Patrick Damphier, Megan Palmer, Bucky Baxter, Tim Easton & Galen Ballinger, amongst other great players here in Tennessee and New Orleans."
Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Megan Palmer now hails from Nashville, TN. She is a recent transplant to the south after spending the last few years in Brooklyn, NY. Palmer is most known in Ohio as fiddler and singer with Columbus’ the Spikedrivers.
Lately she has been touring extensively with Roots Rocker Tim Easton and Songstress Amy Speace. Megan also works as a studio musician and assistant producer. She has recently been working with Dylan Lee Johnston, Nellie Clay, and Darrin Bradbury.
Palmer’s own songwriting style is influenced by her extensive work with a variety of Americana bands. She has been described as ‘an astute songwriter who balances sentimentality with lyrics smarts.
