Rachel Swain hits the ground running with her first full-length solo album

Rachel Swain hits the ground running with her first full-length solo album
One of the Americana voices out of Chicago that you’ve heard Frank talk about on Roots Music Rambler drops her first full-length solo album today (Friday, May 29, 2026). So you know we’re going to talk to her, right?

Rachel Swain’s Neon Lullaby is out and features a solid mix of the sounds that define Americana music. She brings plenty of country influence with a hint of rock and a touch of blues, has brilliantly written lyrics, a banger of a band to back her up, and even accompaniment from some other names in the Chicago Americana scene.

Rachel joined Frank and Falls on Roots Music Rambler to talk to us about the album, her music and life journeys from Texas to Chicago, motherhood, and how she balances being a singer-songwriter, mom, wife, and full-time school teacher. In addition to all of that, Swain also plays in a country band with her dad.

Also on this episode, Frank and Falls list the current musicians they think would be a good hang. You might be surprised who they chose. And of course, both share new Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices this week. Colter Wall gets a supportive nod after his announcement he’s taking a break from touring for his mental health. Colton Bowlin is a hot new singer-songwriter from Kentucky who is the other pick this week.

Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.

Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.

Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler.

Notes and links:

– Rachel Swain Online – https://rachelswainmusic.com
– Rachel Swain on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0LOzaXSBxeJaHKZDKLQ7jv?si=wci-sOt4TBOq-vyjfXawQA
– Rachel Swain on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rachelswainmusic/
– Colter Wall tour announcement – https://www.instagram.com/p/DVvynPNDzqS/
– The Roots Music Rambler Store – https://rootsmusicrambler.com/store
– Roots Music Rambler on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@rootsmusicrambler
– Roots Music Rambler on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rootsmusicrambler/
– Roots Music Rambler on TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsmusicrambleon
– Roots Music Rambler on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RootsMusicRambler
– Jason Falls on Instagram – https://instagram.com/jasonfalls
– Jason Falls on TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@thejasonfalls
– Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/workmomtravels/

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices

– Colter Wall on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/3xYXYzm9H3RzyQgBrYwIcx?si=94tB8dzrRnmFwdy6i0AYqA

– Colton Bowlin on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/7nXlGfcD7lyEIeQTCYiS0C?si=yLqx8xegTDqRkb1pzlXTCQ

Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts.

Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 – Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association.

Singer-songwriter Rachel Swain counts a Devo tribute band in her path to her first solo album

You won’t want to miss tomorrow’s ALL NEW episode of Roots Music Rambler! @rachelswainmusic tells us all about her musical journey to releasing her first full-length LP (which also drops tomorrow). And that journey included …. wait for it …

A DEVO TRIBUTE BAND?!?! WTF?!?!?

It’s true. Hear the full story tomorrow at rootsmusicrambler.com, on our YouTube channel (@rootsmusicrambler) or wherever you get podcasts!

Set a reminder! Tomorrow morning! Roots Music Rambler

#rachelswain #devo #devotributeband #singersongwriter #americanamusic

Jeremy Marshall of Hollerhead points to My Morning Jacket as a big influence

On the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler, we’re joined by Jeremy and Della Marshall from @hollerheadmusic. We talked about everything from how the band got its name to Jeremy sitting on his grandpa’s knee at the piano when he came home from being born.

Jeremy also told us that @removador of @MyMorningJacket had a big influence on him becoming an artist.

Do it up at the @rootsmusicrambler YouTube channel, our website (rootsmusicrambler.com) or wherever podcasts find your earballs.

#americanamusic #altcountrymusic #hollerhead #musicpodcast

Rachel Swain’s new album was driven by her lack of recorded memories of her mother’s voice

A brand new episode of Roots Music Rambler drops Friday — the very day that our guest’s debut album does too! @rachelswainmusic joined Frank and Falls this week to talk about the new album Neon Lullaby, her path from Texas to Chicago, and navigating the life of a singer-songwriter, mom, wife, teacher and more.

Rachel told us the drive to make this album was partially sparked by the fact her late mother, a powerful singer in her own right, never left recorded music behind before she passed.

Hear the full story, get Frank and Falls’s Pickin’ the Grinnin’ recommendations and ponder what artist you’d think is a good hang by watching or listening to the episode. It drops Friday morning on our YouTube channel, rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

#rachelswain #americanamusic #singersongwriter #countrymusic

Jason Falls’s cathartic story of finding forgiveness for Oasis and Noel Gallagher

On the latest Roots Music Rambler, Falls shared a bit of a cathartic realization that musical artists we don’t necessarily care for because of attitude or behavior may just be in line for some forgiveness down the road. Falls says he ignored and avoided Oasis for years because in the 1990s Noel and Liam Gallagher came off as royal pricks. But a random video of Noel listening to James Bay cover one of his songs 25 years later changed his perspective.

Hear that story, our interview with @hollerheadmusic and a lot more on the latest episode drop! Find it at @rootsmusicrambler on YouTube, rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

#oasis #hollerhead #americanamusic #forgiveness