Equally inspired by American indie, classic rock, and roots rock, singer/songwriter Caleb Caudle carved out a cult following with his albums Carolina Ghost (2016) and Crushed Coins (2018). At its core, his songcraft is indebted to the Americana movement of the 21st century -- it has echoes of Ryan Adams and Jason Isbell, both in their evocative melodies and introspective lyrics -- while his records blend elements of the burnished country-rock of the '70s with spooky modern rock, creating a distinctive roots sound. 2014's Paint Another Layer on My Heart most clearly reflects Caudle's rock influences, Carolina Ghost puts his country influences front and center, and Crushed Coins finds him experimenting with a more moody and atmospheric studio techniques. A native of the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina, Caudle began playing music as a teenager, notably with a group called the Bayonets. Initially inspired by punk, his tastes expanded to encompass rootsier music as he aged. He released an indie debut, Red Bank Road, in 2007 but didn't dedicate himself to music full-time until 2012, after the release of Tobacco Town. Two years later, he released Paint Another Layer on My Heart, which emphasized his heartland roots. Carolina Ghost, which followed in 2016, pushed him toward country sounds, but for its 2018 successor, Crushed Coins, he teamed with War on Drugs producer Jon Ashley to create a moodier approach. Caudle relocated from North Carolina to Nashville in 2019, and his next album was recorded in his new hometown. Aiming for a natural sound, he recorded 2020's Better Hurry Up at the Cash Cabin, which was once Johnny Cash's personal recording studio; the musicians included members of Wilco, the Jayhawks, Drivin' N Cryin', and Willie Nelson's and Sturgil Simpson's road bands. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Mark Deming