Americana has always been a part of the general musical landscape; over time it has shifted, shaped itself, and then reshaped itself. In many ways as a genre (or whatever the kids are calling it these days) Americana is like water, find a container and it will conform to it. That can make it difficult to define and recognize, and S.G. Goodman is a champion of that ambiguity.

Something that happens in music cycles is when a musical style becomes popular or has a breakout star or three, is that you get some watered down versions of it as far as you can see. This leads to some odd homogenous shift all at once, moving closer to whatever “star” is at the cultural center. It can get a little tiring: digging through a thousand copies to find something original. S.G. Goodman is like a fire on a dark winter night in a snowstorm, you don’t have to look that hard, because she’s burning like a beacon.

There’s a spark and danger that comes from one of those cultural centers seeing you in a genuine modern day “real recognizes real” moment, and covering your song. It can lead to some heavy expectations, and may create a gravity pulling in a group of people who may not have an organic inclination toward your particular flavor of art. Thankfully S.G. is an anomaly in a world chasing its tail, wanting validation, prostrating themselves for a career. I try to steer clear of saying “Punk Rock Ethos” unironically, because the phrase itself feels like a joke, but if you listen to S.G. with that in mind, you won’t be laughing. She entered the greater musical conversation and with Planting by the Signs and didn’t move an inch. She doesn’t need to, we’ll come to meet her exactly where she is.

I found myself throughout listening to Planting by the Signs thinking about the intent and inspiration surrounding the record. There’s a ceremony, reverence and superstition surrounding life in old world Appalachia. Goodman, a native of Hickman, KY is clearly aware of that. It’s equal parts reverence for the traditions we’re born into, and revolting against the modernity of the world in its current state... Cellphones and overstimulation, and everything it replaced. The record on the whole is incredibly emotive, and painful in a way that I find refreshing and inspiring. It radiates the longing for a simpler life, and some calming to the confusion even if just long enough to catch your breath.

Goodman has a skill that is becoming rarer, that is, knowing when to say more and when the point just needs to be driven home. Some songs are filled with prose that keeps you attached, and others a delivery of minimal lines that repeat like a prayer, mantra, or incantation, and always genuine, always with conviction. In a world where everyone is the next copy of the last great thing, S.G. is the real genuine article.

Planting by the Signs is available June 20 all the places where you collect things to listen to. Take some time, roll your windows down, drive down a road you know a little too well and turn it up so loud it hurts.

Find out more about S.G. Goodman at the links below: