I go into very specific music binges. Last month it was Chainsmokers and their remixes, the month before that was 13th century Italian vocal music, and now I'm currently kicking it to female-fronted country & bluegrass music.

A short disclaimer: I'm a Northern, big-city girl through and through. It wasn't until I started college in southern Virginia that I started listening to country music, after several recommendations and not-so-subtle threats that I educate myself.

So I apologize for my short-sidedness in 2015. But, here I am, matured, on a country music kick. Here's what I'm currently listening to:

The Show Ponies

They describe themselves as "indie-grass," which I love. Their newest album, How It All Goes Down, just dropped this January. You might be familiar with "Gone" (which I can mostly play on guitar but not quite) or catchy and loveable songs like "Whiskey and Whine" and "Stupid." The Show Ponies are based in Los Angeles but hail from Arkansas, Texas, and all over the US. Their music is fun, fast-paced, and full of life.

Sugarland

I've been waiting for a new album since "The Incredible Machine" in 2012. Wikipedia is telling me that they're on a hiatus, which is fine and I am FINE. IT'S FINE. Meanwhile I'm dancing down the sidewalk to "Stuck Like Glue" and I'm inspired to stop being the sidechick of the boyfriend I don't have, thanks to "Stay." It's got me having all kinds of feels despite not being able to relate to the song. I'm so into the harmonies and just the right amount of edginess.

Little Big Town

My roommate (a native Virginian) was singing along to "Pontoon" one day: "out here in the open..." when without thinking I joined in with "mmmmhh motorboatin'." And our friendship grew a different bond after that. LBT's eighth studio album, The Breaker is out right now, with the popular single "Better Man," which was actually written by Taylor Swift. Thanks Wikipedia! And thanks, Little Big Town, for getting me singing along to catchy songs like "Boondocks" even though I probably couldn't tell you what a Boondock is.

Della Mae

You might be shaking your head at me but I hadn't heard of Della Mae until Spotify recommended them. "Boston Town" is the perfect song to start this Grammy nominated bluegrass band's second album off with a bang. The powerhouse alto vocals and powerful female musicians make my heart sing. Yet they simply say, "Della Mae is what happens when five women decide to tour the world."

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum really got the ball rolling on my country music kick even before I knew it was rolling. All of a sudden I looked at my iTunes library and said "Whoops! I guess I have three of their albums!" "Need You Now" is probably their best-known single (it was on Dance Dance Revolution a long time ago), but "Own the Night" is my personal favorite. "Long Gone," "When You Were Mine," and "American Honey" are next on the list. Check out their latest single, "You Look Good"!