Steve Parkinson and the Stony Lonesome

It's hard to pin down why so many young Canadian singer/songwriters are gravitating toward vintage country — aside from how the allure of the golden days of Nudie suits, along with the siren song of the pedal steel guitar, keeps deepening with each passing year. Steve Parkinson grew up an indie rock kid in Cambridge, ON, carving out a modest reputation in bands such as the Candidates and the Machines, but he's seemingly put that world behind him now that he's got a solid outfit able to make his honky tonk dreams a reality. Kentucky Straight Heartbreak's eight tracks showcase Parkinson's skill at updating timeless themes (on "Batten Down The Hatches") and storytelling (on "Sam Steele"). The interplay between lead guitarist Bryan Wright and pedal steel guitarist Steve Wood is the band's secret weapon — captured nicely by producer Andy Magoffin (Great Lake Swimmers, Constantines) — but Parkinson's conviction is its heart. All of this is surely bringing a smile to Gram Parsons' face, wherever he may be.