The Allegan County native who now resides in Nashville hosts his album-release show in Grand Rapids tonight. Today, Local Spins reviews his impresses debut collection.
Rising Star: Myron Elkins stages his album-release show Saturday night in Grand Rapids. (Photo/Anna Sink)
When Local Spins first interviewed Allegan County’s Myron Elkins in 2020 as a 19-year-old fledgling artist with a country voice way bigger and older than his years, he conceded that he wanted to emulate the intensity of singers like Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Joe Cocker.
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“I would like to see us keep writing songs, stay true to us,” he said at the time. “We’re having a lot of fun.”
Fast forward three years and not only has Elkins kept writing songs and having fun, but he’s drawn attention from music honchos in Nashville: Last year, he signed with Elektra Records’ Low Country Sound and recorded his debut collection with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb.
Tonight (Saturday, Jan. 14), Elkins and his band return to West Michigan to celebrate release of that album, “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines,” at 8 p.m. at Elevation inside The Intersection in Grand Rapids. Tickets for the all-ages concert are $20 at the door, with another Americana artist familiar to West Michigan audiences, Brother Elsey, opening the show. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Get details here and check out the Local Spins review of his Low Country Sound debut recording below, along with his latest music video.
Myron Elkins
“Factories, Farms & Amphetamines”
What Stands Out: With brutally honest songs predicated on his humble Allegan County roots and a voice baptized with twang, 22-year-old Myron Elkins has deservedly turned heads, landed in Nashville and signed with Electra Records’ Low Country Sound label. And with mentorship and production by Grammy Award-winning producer David Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton), Elkins’ debut album on that label literally sizzles with rootsy revelry and infectious grit. It’s as if a master chef has stirred Creedence Clearwater Revival into a stew spiced with Dwight Yoakam, Tom Petty, Nathaniel Rateliff and Johnny Cash, churned out by a former welder bred on country music who shuns “scripted things.” From the chugging locomotive ride of “Sugartooth” that gets it all started to the harmony-laden, jaunty ballad “Good Time Girl” that closes it out, Elkins sticks to his guns and stays genuine throughout.
Digging Deeper: With a crackerjack crew of musicians on board, this album certainly rocks a bit harder than what many of his West Michigan fans might expect, especially on the biting “Nashville Money,” an absolutely intoxicating, guitar-driven affair with piercing, on-target social commentary. It’s only January, but 2023 might not produce a more refreshing, more impressive slice of authentic Americana than “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines.” (Scroll down to watch the video for “Nashville Money.”)
Perfect For: Fans of any of the aforementioned artists/influences who appreciate candor and stimulating riffs in their daily soundtracks. – John Sinkevics
Website: https://www.myronelkins.com/
Upcoming Shows: 8 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 14) at Elevation inside The Intersection with Brother Elsey; Feb. 14 at El Club in Detroit (opening for The White Buffalo)
Listen:
VIDEO: Myron Elkins, “Nashville Money”
Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC
