Before starting, I must confess: I don’t know much about the south beyond the typical negative stereotypes (which I will not enumerate here). But for a region plagued by such a controversial and turbulent history, the south sure inspires gorgeous music.

And while only some of the artists featured in this mix call the south their home, all the songs conjure up images of sitting on the front porch at twilight watching the sunset and fireflies, which I imagine they do quite often in the south. I know I would.

This mix was largely inspired by my obsession with country-tinged indie music. Far from the typical Toby Keith garbage you hear on the radio, the songs below borrow the best parts of country music to create something that tugs at your heartstrings.

Some call it alt-country, some call it folk, I just call it good music (with a twang).

• My Morning Jacket – Where to Begin
• Palace Music – New Partner
• The Black Keys – The Lengths
• Iron & Wine – Resurrection Fern
• Ryan Adams – Oh My Sweet Carolina
• The Acorn – Glory
• The National Lights – O, Ohio
• The Everybodyfields – Good to Be Home
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