Plucking the heartstrings with the same authenticity as he does the guitar strings, Shay Martin Lovette unveils the fabric of his soul in the eagerly awaited True As They Come EP. This mosaic of sound, crafted in the intimate settings of Studio Homestead and the Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is more than a collection of songs—it’s a journey narrated through the voice of a true poet.
At the heart of this expedition is producer Joseph Terrell of Mipso, who once again takes the helm to navigate the intricate waters of Lovette’s musical landscape. Together with the luminous talents of Alexa Rose on harmony vocals and contributions from the cherished circles of Mipso and Hiss Golden Messenger, the EP resonates with the communal spirit of North Carolina’s rich musical heritage.
Embarking on this aural odyssey, listeners will first encounter “Dark November,” the lead single, dropping like a leaf on November 11th. It’s a song that rustles with the nostalgia of bygone autumns, its metaphor as striking as the clock’s retreat from daylight savings—a familiar heartache transformed into a rhythm that beckons one to dance, or at least sway amidst the tapestry of falling leaves.
In the tender “Lionhearted Woman,” melancholy and memory waltz in a dreamscape spun by Lovette’s reflective verse, underscored by a band in seamless unity. Here, Alexa Rose’s harmonies blend with Ryan’s pedal steel laments, while Joseph’s guitar carves out melodies as intriguing as the stories they tell.
“Precisely as a river carves the earth, ‘Pretty River Rise’ carries us gently to the end of one journey and the beginning of another,” says Lovette. Recorded live without the march of drums, the song breathes with the haunting echoes of Alexa’s ghostly vocal touches and the mournful cry of Ryan’s pedal steel.
The title track, “True As They Come,” blossoms as a resolute declaration of love’s enduring power amidst chaos. It’s an optimistic finale, infused with the spirit of Tom Petty in its rhythmic heartbeat and adorned with Alexa’s uplifting harmonies, Alex’s rhythmic textures, and Joseph’s eccentric guitar that imbues a groovy twist to the narrative.
Shay Martin Lovette isn’t just releasing an EP; he’s offering a vessel that carries stories as True As They Come. With acclaim from American Songwriter, The Bluegrass Situation, No Depression, Under The Radar Magazine, Glide Magazine, and New Commute, Lovette is poised to cast this vessel out on April 26th. Each track will be released as a single, and they stand together as a testament to his songcraft—a bard of the Appalachian trails, where the music is as deep and flowing as the rivers he so adores.
PREVIOUS PRESS
“There’s a reverence and warmth in Lovette’s performance.” – American Songwriter
“Sometimes the gentle approach hits your heart the hardest, and Shay Martin Lovette understands this instinctively. You’ll be drawn all the way in without quite seeing it coming. And of course killer production by Joseph Terrell puts it over the top.” – Americana Highways
“Lovette, a lover of the outdoors and a beekeeper. renders his natural world lined with trees, full of expansive skylines, and suffused with woodsmoke. But despite the beautiful backdrop, he doesn’t shy away from singing about tough times.” – No Depression
“The luminary songwriter pairs the undying radiance of the short stories and forgotten records of olden days in a newfound eclecticism adored by traditionalists and modernists alike. The album’s ambitious twang, it’s rich, timeless lyricism, and sprawling, warm textures streamline Lovette to a rightful roost alongside many of his veteran songwriter heroes.” – New Commute
“A collection of travelers’ tunes floating between the pain of separation and the thrill of discovery. When playing with his band, the surrounding instruments don’t hesitate to slowly dislocate and trickle around Lovette’s lyrics. He paints haunting scenery populated with risk-taking mountain folk.” – WUNC
“A remarkably mature batch of material.” – YES WEEKLY
“For Lovette, music is an escape — something he wants to provide to his listeners.” – Wautaga Democrat
Publicist: Rachel Hurley