ALBUM REVIEW: 'The Road That Drives Me' - Shantell Ogden

With some of her songs featuring on films and television shows such as Hart of Dixie, there's a chance that you may have heard Shantell Ogden before.

If not, you can start with her fifth studio album, The Road That Drives Me, which is out today.

Shantell is an award winning songwriter and it is evident throughout the record. Production on this album is very much minimal and that's perfectly fine. The tracks still feel incredibly raw, packed with emotion, conviction and, at times, vulnerability. The latter is especially true on second-to-last track, 'Love Again' as Ogden ponders if she will ever find someone who will fix her broken heart.

'Different Sides of the Mississippi' is a real stand out, a slow and heartbreaking number about the gradual drifting apart between two lovers. On the other hand, 'Feels Good to Get It Right' proves that the album is not all heartbreak as it is a lighter, happier tune about how great life can be when the stars do align.

One word to describe this album best would be honesty as Ogden pours her heart out and into this album. With eight tracks The Road That Drives Me is a little on the short side but definitely leaves you wanting more.

The Road That Drives Me is available now. For further information on Shantell visit shantellogden.com.

LISTEN to Shantell Ogden's New Single 'Devil Comes Knockin''

Award-winning country/Americana artist and songwriter Shantell Ogden will release her highly anticipated, 5th studio album The Road That Drives Me, on September 13th, and has released a single 'Devil Comes Knockin' to stream via Soundcloud.

The album is an eight-song collection that follows on the heels of Shantell’s successful Ghosts In The Field. The album is her debut as a producer, and has a live, open sound, with warm and authentic tones. “Already an award-winning artist, Shantell Ogden has just raised her own bar,” says Judy Rodman, writer/producer (LeAnn Rimes, Loretta Lynn). “Her vocals on her newest project have more subtlety and control than ever; the cool tracks perfectly carry her voice and her brilliantly crafted songs straight to the heart.”

In her own words: “I grew up on a farm in Utah and one of the lessons I learned is that the cows would always push on certain parts of the fence until it broke down. Even if we’d fix that part of the fence, they would continue to push on those parts of the fence until it was again broken. Devil Comes Knockin’ is a haunting story about how the devil pushes on us, our weaknesses and failures, hoping that we’ll break. It’s about being followed by your demons, and a voice of warning not to ‘open the door.’

A gritty song about the dark side in all of us. The message here is 'don't open the door when the devil comes knockin'. It has a deep rootsy feel, and I wrote it with Riley Anglen."

You can listen to 'Devil Comes Knockin'' vua Soundcloud below.



About Shantell Ogden

Shantell's songs have received airplay on more than 800 country and Americana radio stations and shows internationally, reaching Top 2 chart positions both in the U.S. and Europe. Her songs have also appeared on the CW's TV series Hart of Dixie and in several feature films. She's won honors for Songwriter of the Year and Americana Song of the Year for 'Ghosts in the Field' in the 2015 IMEA Awards, and Americana Album of the Year for 'Better At Goodbye' in the 2014 IMEA Awards.

This year Shantell has toured the UK & US and enjoyed extensive media appearances including Coffee, Country & Cody (WSM) and Good Day Utah (Fox).

For further information on Shantell Ogden, check out shantellogden.com.

Buckle & Boots: More Acts Announced + Stage Times Confirmed!

Two more artists have been announced for Buckle & Boots 2016!

Taking place at Whitebottom Farm at Etherow Park (nr. Manchester/Stockport) between 24-26 June, Buckle & Boots Festival is set to combine some of the brightest talents in country music from the US as well as the thriving UK scene, providing a truly unique outdoor festival experience for country fans far and wide. With a variety of food, drink and camping facilities on site, Buckle & Boots is the first country festival of its kind in the UK, creating a friendly, communal atmosphere that fans are sure to embrace.

The line-up already includes acts such as Raintown, Ward Thomas and US chart-topper Phil Vassar and with just under two weeks until the weekend, two more acts have announced. They are:

Two Ways Home (UK) are Isabella Mariee & Lewis Fowler - an alt-country songwriting duo with roots in London & Vienna. It was a desire to hone their skills as songwriters and learn from the best that led Isabella & Lewis to a career defining four-week pilgrimage to Nashville in 2013. Never

before had the advice and kindness of strangers meant so much, they experienced the true spirit and support of Nashville. Two Ways Home lived the Nashville circuit and were welcomed with open arms. This inspirational journey convinced them to pursue their ambitions and they are now actively gigging around the UK. Fresh from a tour in May and the release of their latest EP Better Days featuring the singles 'Just For Now' & 'Still in Love', Two Ways Home play the Buckle & Boots main stage at 12:30pm on Sunday 26th June.


Shantell Ogden (USA) is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, TN. Shantell's songs have received airplay on more than 800 country and Americana radio stations internationally, reaching Top 2 chart positions both in the U.S. and Europe. Her songs have also appeared on the TV series Hart of Dixie and in several feature films. As a performing and touring Americana artist, Shantell has been praised by Maverick Magazine, For the Country Record and other notable media. She's won honors for Songwriter of the Year and Americana Song of the Year ('Ghosts in the Field') in the 2015 IMEA Awards, and Americana Album of the Year for Better at Goodbye in the 2014 IMEA Awards. Shantell said: "I'm thrilled to be playing the festival along with so many great artists at the Buckle and Boots Country Festival in Manchester! I appreciate the festival staff and the fans for making such a great event possible." She is scheduled to perform on the Acoustic Stage at 1:30pm on Saturday 25th June.

Timings have also been confirmed and the weekend is, as follows:

FRIDAY
Site open - 1:00pm
Music area & bar open - 4:00pm
Main stage performances start - 7:00pm
Raintown headline - 11:00pm
DJ set (main stage) 12.15am - 2:00am
Curfew/closing - 2:00am

SATURDAY:
Site open - 11:00am
Main stage performances start - 12:30pm
Acoustic stage performances start - 12:00pm
BCMA Stage performances (on the main stage) - 1:15pm - 3.15pm
Ward Thomas headline - 11:00pm
DJ set (main stage) - 12.15am - 2:00am
Curfew/closing - 2:00am

SUNDAY:
Site open - 11:00am
Main stage performances start - 12:30pm
Acoustic stage performances start - 12:00pm
BCMA Stage performances (on the main stage) - 1:15pm - 3.15pm
Phil Vassar headline - 10:00pm
DJ set (main stage) - 11.15am - 1:00am
Curfew/closing - 1:00am

For the full line-up and tickets, head to www.buckleandboots.co.uk.