Hope shares, “I wrote ‘Let’s Go!’ after experiencing a big life letdown. I think everyone has had someone say that they want to help you, but actually end up slowing you down or even hindering your progress. ‘Let’s Go’ is an anthem to remind us to keep going when that happens, and to push even harder to pursue our goals.” Listen Now: From behind her trademark red cat-eye frames, Hope, winner of the 2017 Ameripolitan Music Award for Best Female Rockabilly Artist, fills any hall that she and the Ark-Tones play. Her neon-bright, bigger-than-life persona is matched only by the outsized power of her towering voice, an instrument that moves effortlessly between big-stage belting and sexy, sultry crooning. Alongside Hope, the ace Ark-Tones know innately how to complement the leader and singer-songwriter’s dynamic vocal presence, both before an audience and in the studio: Double bassist Matt “The Knife” Goldpaugh, lead guitarist Eddie Rion, and drummer Jeremy Boniello keep the train rocketing down the rails, making moody detours whenever the songs call for them. Want an illustration of an act that knows its craft? Here to Tell the Tale, the band’s red-hot third album, is diamond-hard proof. In spades. Although Hope and the group have been well known on the rockabilly scene for years, those who’ve followed their recordings know that the band’s stylistic approach is increasingly diverse. “Since our earlier albums [2014’s Luck Maker and 2017’s Love You to Life], we’ve grown a lot as musicians, and I feel like my songwriting’s really matured along the way,” says Hope. “Here to Tell the Tale has our best songs so far. It’s more widely varied, in terms of the emotions, musical styles, and the subject matter. We always try to have something for everybody.” Find out more at https://www.larahopeandtheark-tones.com/ Next, do people who are tone-deaf hear music differently?
