Kyle Grim (Dogwood Tales)

Kyle Grim of Dogwood Tales was born in the wrong century. He really belonged among the Romantic poets, who saw the purity of nature as a source of renewal. I mentioned this to Grim after he told me that a large part of his process revolves around the wonderment of nature. He loves to walk, and in those moments he finds beauty in water, the shadows of trees, and even the ducks. Then again, Grim counts William Faulkner and Breece D'J Pancake among his favorite writers, so his actual influences are more modern.

The first time I heard the Harrisonburg, Virginia band's song "McMemories," I was hooked. Their new album Every Star in Rockingham County on Born Losers Records is one of my favorite releases of the year.