Blues Matters! – August 2026

Summary

Gina Coleman and Misty Blues release their 18th album Still Ticking, while Malina Moya tells a signature story that makes history, Erja Lyytinen declares the blues is in her blood, and Gulf Coast Records rounds up its 2026 collection — all in Blues Matters August 2026 (Issue 164).

Blues Matters August 2026 leads with Gina Coleman discussing Misty Blues' 18th album Still Ticking and her solo tribute Uncrowned — A Tribute To Ida Cox. Colin Campbell interviews Coleman on an unexpected beginning, a different way of making records, and a dream collaboration. Malina Moya is cover-billed with a signature story. Erja Lyytinen discusses blues in her blood. Peter Parcek takes the blues from Old England to New England. Kevin Burt opens up about trying to drink himself off the planet. The Gulf Coast Records 2026 Collection features ten albums including Garret T. Willie, Gabe Stillman, Mike Zito, Jason Ricci, Kelli Baker, Albert Castiglia, Kevin Burt, The Boneshakers and The SharpEEz.

—————

Content Guide

Features

Gina Coleman — Still Ticking
Colin Campbell interviews Coleman about Misty Blues' 18th album and the solo tribute to Ida Cox. Sub-sections cover an unexpected beginning, a different way of making records, songs writing themselves, writing from the heart, and a dream collaboration. Songs referenced include State of the Union, Give Me Some More, and Trifling Man featuring Lady Bianca. Listen to Trifling Man to hear how Coleman builds a narrative from a single lyric hook.

Malina Moya — A Signature Story
Cover-billed as making history with her signature blues style. The piece traces her emergence as a signature artist whose sound is rooted in tradition but pushing forward.

Erja Lyytinen
The Finnish blues guitarist and vocalist discusses how the blues runs in her blood, referencing her 50th birthday tour and ongoing recording career. Her slide guitar technique is noted as a defining element of her sound.

Kevin Burt
The artist opens up about personal struggles, referencing trying to drink himself off the planet, and how those experiences shaped his album This Trip on Gulf Coast Records.

2026 Collection — Gulf Coast Records
Ten albums previewed including Garret T. Willie's Bill's Cafe, Gabe Stillman's What Happens Next?, Mike Zito's Outside or the Eastside, Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind's 13 Hours, Kelli Baker's Mother, Albert Castiglia's Grits & Glory, Kevin Burt's This Trip, The Boneshakers' Pull Up the Roots, and The SharpEEz' Automatic Mode.

—————

Editor's Take

The Gina Coleman interview is the issue's anchor — Misty Blues' 18th album milestone and the Ida Cox tribute give her story genuine weight, and the interview sections (An Unexpected Beginning, When Songs Write Themselves) are well-structured. The Gulf Coast Records round-up is useful as a new-release digest even if the tone is promotional. Weaknesses: the cover billing promises more than the magazine delivers — Malina Moya, Erja Lyytinen, Peter Parcek and Kevin Burt appear on the cover but the supplied content does not confirm full article treatments for each. The magazine's ad density is high, with tour listings and label promotions occupying space that could host deeper editorial. As a digital-first publication, the production design is functional rather than attractive.

Strengths
• Gina Coleman / Misty Blues feature reaches a genuine career milestone
• Gulf Coast Records round-up serves as a useful new-release digest
• Kevin Burt's candour about personal struggles adds emotional weight

Weaknesses
• Cover billing exceeds confirmed article count for several named artists
• High ad density reduces editorial-to-commercial ratio

Verdict: Selective read — Buy for the Misty Blues feature; the rest is digest-level coverage best consumed digitally.