FRET12 SESSIONS
Reilly Downes –Live Performance
Americana singer-songwriter Reilly Downes, backed by her band the Acid Cowboys, performs three new songs off her upcoming album in this FRET12 Session.
Broadcasting from our shop at The Salt Shed, FRET12 Sessions invites musicians of all genres and styles to come in, perform, and share their work with the world.
FRET12 SESSIONS
Reilly Downes – LIVE PERFORMANCE
Americana singer-songwriter Reilly Downes, backed by her band the Acid Cowboys, performs three new songs off her upcoming album in this FRET12 Session.
Broadcasting from our shop at The Salt Shed, FRET12 Sessions invites musicians of all genres and styles to come in, perform, and share their work with the world.
F12-SESSION 006 // REILLY DOWNES
It’s easy to see why Reilly Downes has been crowned the Sad Cowgirl of Chicago — her country ballads wear their aching hearts on their sleeves, each one imbued with the vocalist’s rich, classic Americana sound. Hailing from Texas Hill Country, Downes earned her stripes as a session musician in Nashville before moving to Chicago and becoming a staple of the city’s country scene. With backing from her band the Acid Cowboys, Downes performs three new tracks in this FRET12 Session as she prepares to head back into the studio to record her next album.
After the performances, we chatted with Downes and the Acid Cowboys about writing an entire album during the pandemic, life on tour, and Chicago’s tight-knit country music scene.
“It feels like home in Chicago because everyone supports one another. We all sing in each other's bands when it's needed...it’s like a big musical family, especially within the country music scene.”
— Reilly Downes
“It feels like home in Chicago because everyone supports one another. We all sing in each other's bands when it's needed...it’s like a big musical family, especially within the country music scene.”
— Reilly Downes
“We also have so many different
levels of education and background in music, so it's a good mix...I don't have really any professional training, so I can come in with my more basic songwriting approach and kind of have that perspective. Whereas [Justin & Alex] can come in with a bit more
technical ability.”
— CODY PALMER
“We also have so many differentlevels of education and background in music, so it's a good mix...I don't have really any professional training, so I can come in with my more basic songwriting approach and kind of have that perspective. Whereas [Justin & Alex] can come in with a bit moretechnical ability.”
— CODY PALMER
HARD-WON TOUR TIPS
💥 “[On tour] you’re tired, and you’re having these Imposter Syndrome feelings because you’re seeing so many other artists who are so incredible. Keep keeping up your spirits, believing in yourself, having so much fun, and taking advantage of the friendships you’ve built around you.”
💥 “You’re not mad at the drummer. You’re just hungry.”
💥 “Sleep when you can, and eat the free meal, as much of it as you can.”
“My favorite part of songwriting is that most of my music is very personal. People can identify with it because they've felt all of these emotions.”
– Reilly Downes
“My favorite part of songwriting is that most of my music is very personal. People can identify with it because they've felt all of these emotions.”
– Reilly Downes
“This is my favorite pedal I've ever owned, the Reverberation Machine [by Death By Audio]. I started using it for guitar because I like this really cool, dusty kind of distorted reverb... there are a lot of songs in Ganser where I use distorted vocals. It’s just a sound I’ve always wanted for vocals and it’s much more fun to perform as well.”
— Sophie Sputnik
“This is my favorite pedal I've ever owned, the Reverberation Machine [by Death By Audio]. I started using it for guitar because I like this really cool, dusty kind of distorted reverb... there are a lot of songs in Ganser where I use distorted vocals. It’s just a sound I’ve always wanted for vocals and it’s much more fun to perform as well.”
— Sophie Sputnik
FRET12 SESSIONS – NATHAN GRAHAM
Chicago-born singer-songwriter Nathan Graham performs three songs live at the FRET12 shop.
