Meels brings a modern sensibility to the tradition of the solitary troubadour on her new single “Lonely USA,” which was released today via Nashville-based Lost Highway Records. Accompanying herself on banjo, she sings, “I spend my nights a talking / To the whistle of the train / Dreaming of a city where they all know my name.” Fats Kaplin (John Prine, Jack White) masterfully weaves his fiddle throughout the track as it builds in speed and intensity. Penned by Meels, “Lonely USA” was produced by Hush Kids member Peter Groenwald (Liz Longley, Prateek Kuhud) – who collaborated with her on Tales from a Bird’s Bedroom and Across The Raccoon Strait –and Justin Francis (Jelly Roll, Leon Bridges). She recorded the song at Nashville’s historic Sound Emporium, where she was also joined in the studio by Jamie Dick, Kenosha Kid’s Robby Handley, Todd Lombardo and Ilya Portnov.
“’Lonely USA’ is a song that I wrote in the midst of my first back-to-back tours,” recalls Meels. “It tells the fictional story of a town called Lonely, USA, and a young woman who’s desperate to leave the place that’s only ever brought her heartbreak. For me, it’s really a metaphor for stepping into the unknown. It’s about that restless feeling of wanting to see what’s out there, trusting your instincts, and believing that whatever’s waiting beyond the horizon could be everything you’ve been hoping for.”
Hailed as “a country music misfit in the very finest, most traditional sense” by Holler., Meels will perform at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, AMERICANAFEST And Bourbon & Beyond this fall. She’ll also rejoinOld Crow Medicine Show on the road. See below for itinerary. Tickets are available HERE. After a breakout 2025 that saw her share stages with Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle, and Kaitlin Butts, she recently opened for Margo Price and Carter Faith on select dates and hit the road with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for their All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour.
Raised among the redwoods of Mill Valley, Meels (born Amelia Einhorn) grew up immersed in music, influenced early on by artists like John Denver, Iris DeMent, The Beatles, and Peter, Paul and Mary. She writes with the warmth of an old soul and the curiosity of a new one. Released in January 2026, her seven-track EP Across The Raccoon Strait marked a creative turning point.
In this recent feature, People observed, “Diving into the world of Meels head-first is the only way to go about it, and Across the Raccoon Strait offers a concise look at the mind of the budding artist, with tender vulnerabilities layered throughout catchy, carnival-esque soundbites and cheery riffs she has eloquently labeled as ‘critter country.’” Billboard noted, “’Out West,’ as with the rest of the EP, showcases Meels as an artist unflinchingly embracing the influences and idiosyncrasies that shape her musical voice.” COWGIRL Magazine said, “[The EP] reflects transition, self-trust, and creative clarity, with standout tracks like ‘Vultures,’ ‘The Wizard,’ and the heartfelt closer ‘Marsha June.’” Nashville Scenedeclared, “The songs on Racoon Strait mark the arrival of a one-of-a-kind lyricist.”
Check out Meels’ recent Q&A with The Bluegrass Situation (BGS) HERE and her performance of “Home on the Range” in North Dakota’s Custer State Park (part of the “Meels National Park Services” video series) HERE.
