Highway 75
Self-Released, 2026
9/10
This concept album from March To August, i.e. Derrick and Jodi Mears, bring their inimitable storytelling and detailed instrumentation to 13 well thought out tracks.
“Highways And Honkytonks” opens with Derrick’s smooth voice amid the warm acoustic guitar of the country fueled start, and “Two Too Many” follows with quick banjo and Jodi’s well timed backing vocals.
In the middle, “Red Top Mountain Hailstorm” showcases meticulous banjo playing alongside the playfully plucked bass in a rich climate, while “Whiskey Town” emits much graceful beauty via the cozy acoustic guitar and poetic singing from Derrick.
Arriving later, “Fragments” is a heartfelt album highlight that uses the pair’s pipes with vulnerability which complements the soft banjo, and “Quiet Years” exits with a more folk influenced moment of timeless songwriting and carries a wise demeanor that’s reflective.
The tale told here revolves around a truck driver who travels north and south from Florida to the Canadian border in the midst of addiction, loss and remorse. During his journey he helps others and tries to fix the damaged relationships that have defined his existence, and these themes surround the blues, country, folk, bluegrass and rootsy flavored Americana that March To August continually execute with care.
Travels well with: March To August- Songs Inspired By Witnesss; Kenny Shore- Happiness & Misery