A heartfelt ballad that honors the quiet dignity of rural life and the memory of a loved one gone too soon, “Baling Hay” provides the lead single from Elexa Dawson's third studio album, Stay Put. “Baling Hay” is a tribute to Elexa’s Grandpa, a humble, hardworking soul whose tractor-greasy grace lives on in memory and song. With vivid pastoral imagery and an intimate vocal delivery, rooted in folk tradition and country soul, it’s a song that will be memorable for any music lover from rural North America.

We are excited to share a bold, empowering new single from Essence and Gold Country—an independent Americana artist whose fresh voice approaches folk music with honesty and soul.

Song Title: Free
Artist: Essence & Gold Country
Label: Blue Élan Records
Released: June 20, 2025
Listen / Download WAV, MP3, Clean Radio Edit + Metadata
Watch the Official Video
 RIYL: Brandi Carlile, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams

“Free” is an anthem of liberation and self-respect—a song for anyone who’s ever had to claw their way out of a relationship that dimmed their light. It’s raw and triumphant, feminine and fierce, blending the storytelling heart of classic Americana with the emotion and musicianship of original folk music. 

Co-written by Essence Goldman with Merkley, Rachel Hoiem, and Roman Weingartner, “Free” pulses with a full band, is rich with personality of leading lady Essence Goldman and has some depth with the universal message: You don’t have to shrink to survive. You don’t have to sacrifice your joy to stay in someone else’s version of your life. Essence sings this truth loud, proud, and barefoot—to dance is to heal. 

This is the first single from her upcoming album Father’s Daughter, produced by David Simon-Baker (Jackie Greene, ALO). Essence’s past work was featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, and she’s currently a producer on the upcoming feature film about her journey with Bernie and the Believers—in partnership with John Legend and Paramount.

Please consider “Free”  WAV & MP3 < | June Press Release | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram

Thanks for supporting women in Americana and independent music. Essence is available for interviews in person (Bay Area) and virtually. Upcoming tour dates include select venues in the SF Bay Area, Pacific Northwest (WA, OR), Nashville and more TBA.

Let's connect on NEW MUSIC!
~~Erica

Erica Glenn |  530.420.5517 | MarLucBlu.com
Radio Promo (Traditional) Summer 2025  | Essence and Gold Country

Jill Sobule’s work was at once deeply personal and socially conscious, seriously funny and derisively tragic. In a dozen albums spanning three decades of recording, the Denver-born songwriter/guitarist/singer has tackled such topics as the death penalty, anorexia nervosa, shoplifting, reproduction, the French Resistance, adolescent malaise, LGBTQ issues, and the Christian Right. Her hits include “I Kissed A Girl”—the first openly gay-themed song ever to crack the Billboard Top 20—and the alt-rock anthem “Supermodel” featured in the film Clueless. Sobule was one half of The Jill & Julia Show, providing music while actor Julia Sweeney contributes storytelling. Jill is considered a pioneer in crowdfunding and is constantly exploring and creating new models for artists in an ever-changing music industry. Jill’s new record, F*ck 7th Grade - Original Cast Recording and will be released on her own Pinko Records label on June 6th. Her theater credits included a musical adaptation of the Broadway classic Yentl, Prozak and the Platypus, and Times Square. In November of 2019 Jill sang a song as herself on an episode of the Simpsons. F*ck 7th Grade ran off-Broadway for four (4) runs in three (3) years and gained a New York Times Critics Pick. Drama Desk nominated this autobiographical musical, which premiered at the Wild Project in 2022; had a reboot in the Winter of 2023 - and ran again for three weeks in 2024. Also on June 6th, Rhino Records is releasing her self-titled Atlantic Records album on red vinyl for the first time - to time with Pride Month! This year marks the album’s 30th Anniversary! Following her untimely demise on May 1st, many of her previously scheduled shows have morphed into Jillith Fair - Loving Jill Sobule shows, benefiting the new It Was A Good Life Foundation. Funds will be distributed by this foundation to the ACLU and other causes Jill cared deeply about. The hope is that these shows will become annual events on her birthday, January 16th & during Pride Month in the future. Jill left behind two partially completed albums, 50-70+ finished tracks, hundreds of demos, and a few titles that had fallen out of print. Plus, we’re hoping a tribute album will take shape for release to time with a feature length documentary on her that should be completed by years’ end. We hope to help keep her spirit, memory, & music alive. “Jill Sobule can claim her place among the stellar New York singer-songwriters of the last decade. Topical, funny and more than a little poignant …grown-up music for an adolescent age.” - The New York Times