Articles written by: Kim Grant

After growing up listening to Dolly, Merle and Willie, Kim Grant spent the 90’s immersed in the Chicago indie rock scene. Spending many nights at the famed (now-defunct) venue Lounge Ax, bands like Bad Livers, Giant Sand, Handsome Family, Palace Brothers and Wilco turned her on to what was then called Alt-Country. After moving to Los Angeles in 2000, she found this same feeling of musical community at a tiny west side bar called The Cinema Bar where she met artists, Mike Stinson, Randy Weeks, Tony Gilkyson, Ramsay Midwood, and Kip Boardman. These talented folks spurred her enthusiasm for the Southern California roots music scene and the Americana music scene as a whole. Now a music publicist, Grant (alongside Liz Garo and Pam Moore) founded the Los Angeles, weekly roots music series, The Grand Ole Echo in 2005. Also with Garo, Grant helped to curate the Roots Roadhouse American-roots music festival in both 2011 and 2012. Also in 2011 she began co-producing a SXSW day party with Julie Richmond titled, Grand Ole Austin which is still going strong. Visit TJ West on fb and kgmusicpress.com.

TJ West Premier: “Color” by Caitlin Jemma

TJ West Premier: “Color” by Caitlin Jemma

By Kim Grant Cosmic country cowgirl Caitlin Jemma’s True Meaning is a genre blending, soul-soothing, inspiration. A bright mix of folk, pop, country, and jazz filled with positive affirmations and personal reflections. TJ West premieres the video/single “Color” […]

TJ West Premier: “Unwritten Story” by Joe Bourdet

TJ West Premier: “Unwritten Story” by Joe Bourdet

Joe Bourdet has been a figure on the California roots music scene for a number of years, playing in and writing music for several bands, including The Whispering Pines, Painted Hills with Josh Schwartz, and […]

TJ West Premier: “Main Street Shuffle” by Rider & Rolling Thunder

TJ West Premier: “Main Street Shuffle” by Rider & Rolling Thunder

Rider Soran is the Idaho-born frontman of the band Rider & Rolling Thunder.  He was raised on a healthy diet of Creedance Clearwater Revival, The Stones, The Dead and more and it shows on their new […]

Folk Alliance International Presents Folk Unlocked

Folk Alliance International Presents Folk Unlocked

In a time of social distancing, the Folk Unlocked virtual festival is a musical trip around the world that marks the launch of the Village Fund, FAI’s grants to struggling musicians and folk music workers […]

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Announces theme and lineup

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Announces theme and lineup

The onset of COVID-19 caused the HSB team to pivot in a unique way: the artists/bands on the lineup filmed brand new performances at venues around in Austin (like The Continental Club), Nashville (like The Ryman Auditorium), […]

TJ West: Glenn Thomas’ Black Muddy River

By Kim Grant TJ West is proud to premier the video for Glenn Thomas’ version of “Black Muddy River” today. To those unfamiliar with The Grateful Dead and all things Jerry, August 1st through August […]

TJWest’s 2019 AmericanaFEST Highlights

TJWest’s 2019 AmericanaFEST Highlights

By Kim Grant I came to Los Angeles by way of Chicago 18 years ago.  At the time, I could count on one hand the amount of people I knew in L.A.  One of those […]

Muddy Roots Music Festival

Muddy Roots Music Festival

By Kim Grant There is only one place you can find punk bands like The Dwarves and The Dead Kennedys mixing it up with country roots artists Mike and the Moonpies, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers and […]

TJ WEST: Roots Roadhouse 19

TJ WEST: Roots Roadhouse 19

By Kim Grant Roots Roadhouse is the kick off event to the Grand Ole Echo –The Los Angeles-based live roots music series.  Roots Roadhouse is an all day festival taking place at Echo and Echoplex stages plus […]

TJ West: LA Roots Radar

TJ West: LA Roots Radar

By Kim Grant I am lucky enough to live in a city where there is an abundance of live music, and where (if you have the stamina) you can see a different artist or band […]

TJ West: Bonnie Whitmore

TJ West: Bonnie Whitmore

By Kim Grant Bonnie Whitmore once asked of the Dallas Observer “Where is the Liz Phair of today?”  The Austin-based musician answered that question with her 2016 album, Fuck With Sad Girls, her feminist album […]

TJ West Video Premiere: Calico the band’s “Fine Line”

TJ West Video Premiere: Calico the band’s “Fine Line”

By Kim Grant “Living in Los Angeles, we’re surrounded by dreamers and are dreamers ourselves. There is a point where delusions become pitfalls on the path to fulfilling one’s dreams or worse, it can destroy […]