Ida Mae

This Band Is Going Places

Excuse me while I play their debut album on repeat, y’all.

Last year I had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful couple play during Americana Fest at Emmylou Harris’ Woofstock. I said it then that they are bound to be going places and I will stick by the words for multiple reasons.

This British duo has taken a Delta Blues sound and made it their own with their recently released debut album titled Chasing Lights on June 7th. I can only describe the song bearing the title of the album as a cry to a former lover who keeps chasing what they want in life, only to come back to the lover they had left.

Songs like “Reaching” and “My Girl is a Heartbreak” carry haunting tones and rough lyrics that reach deep into the soul as they literally reach in and grab hold of you. Reaching’s most haunting notes are brought by the lovely female of the duo, Stephanie Jean Ward. She blows me away with not only her vocal ability, but also her stage presence. To me, this couple is how I would have imagined Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham if they’d actually made as a duo on their own instead of joining Fleetwood Mac.

Me with Ida Mae singers, Chris Turpin (Left) and Stephanie Jean Ward (Right).

Chris Turpin’s amazing guitar playing – which includes beautiful steal guitar work – and vocals are just as mesmerizing. The two seem to be in their own world when they play on stage.

My new favorite of theirs is “Love is Still a Long Road” which they performed at the life show at Grimey’s. To me, it speaks of how love is a long road in terms of how relationships work. It couldn’t be more true and I think this will rear its head at my wedding whenever I get married because it’s far too perfect.

They released the album physically on CD and vinyl record. I – being the vinyl lover and purist that I am – purchased my copy on vinyl and had them autograph it last night when they played at Grimey’s. Grimey’s does this a lot where they have bands come in and play. John Paul White was in for the release of his newest album as well. Getting to see these two play live again made me so happy and I can’t wait to buy many more of their albums!

My only real wish is that I could get the opportunity to interview them in the future because A) that would be killer and B) it would be really cool to pick their brains on what interested them in this type of sound for their music.

I’ve created a playlist for y’all of their music over on my Spotify so feel free to give it a follow. I promise I’ll keep this updated as they release more music. The playlist will also be on the main page of the blog under the heading “Music of my Soul”.

Happy Vibing,