Minnesota-based singer/songwriter Tony Cuchetti is following his debut studio album, Hid It On The Sly (2020), and Live From Drum Farm Studio (2020), with Freer Street, a collection of original songs punctuated by a couple of beloved cover tunes. Cuchetti returned to home turf at Drum Farm Studio in Menomonie, WI to record, joined by fellow Minnesotan Erik Koskinen, who produced and played both rhythm and lead guitar, as well as co-writing many of the tracks. Through recording several projects at this studio, Cuchetti became one of the first artists signed to studio owner John Richardson’s recently formed Farm To Label Records which is releasing Freer Street on August 3rd on 12” vinyl LP,limited quantity CD, digital download, and streaming platforms.

The album’s title refers to Cuchetti’s late grandfather who lived on Freer Street in Detroit, MI where much of Tony’s family hails from. An old black and white, sepia-toned picture of him is the album’s cover. “Just the vibe of the album made me remember good things about hanging out with him and some of the stuff that he taught me,” says Cuchetti, “so I thought it was fitting.” Tony and Erik gathered seasoned musicians, and friends Blair Krivanek (Sonny Knight and TheLakers) on lead and rhythm guitar, bassist Nick Salisbury  (Ryan Bingham, The Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon), drummer JT Bates (Taylor Swift, Michael Stipe, Trampled By Turtles, Bon Iver), and Gregg Inhofer  (Bob Dylan) on Hamond B3 organ. They recorded the majority of the album with everyone in one room, live-in-the-studio to capture as raw and spontaneous a feel as possible. There were minimal overdubs or post-production touches.

Bonnie Stewart:

Magnolia, the debut EP from Bonnie Stewart, introduces a lyric-driven singer/songwriter whose music bridges the gap between Americana’s past & present. It’s an ethereal sound rooted in the influence of her parents’ record collection including classic craftsmen with arrangements whose lush, atmospheric sweep nods to the modern day. Gluing that mix together are Stewart’s aching vocals & sharply-written insights of life, love, and lingering memories we all carry with us.

Raised in South Carolina, Stewart moved across the state several times as a child. Her environment was transient, but her love of music remained constant and eventually it became a way to make sense of the changing world around her. Moving to Music City halfway through college, Stewart sharpened her songwriting skills by playing shows around town & taking courses at Belmont University. She also felt an affinity for locals like Kacey Musgraves, whose music blurred the lines between gauzy Americana, country, and modern pop. Stewart developed a unique sound that also shrunk the distance between genres, creating homemade demos on her own & eventually partnering with local producer/writer Oscar Charles to create Magnolia. In a town built upon tradition, Bonnie Stewart has created a sound that blends the classic with the contemporary. This is atmospheric Americana at its best, laced with unexpected flourishes that pair beautifully with the songs’ melodic foundation. With Magnolia, Stewart’s sound is in full bloom.