For Jesse Ray Smith, music has always been a catharsis from the heaviness of life. Far from creating escapist bubblegum, however, Smith leans into meaning with a full and open heart. His brand of Americana is earnest and uplifting, an open hand reaching through the inherent melancholy of the genre, while his voice rings with echoes of Chris Stapleton and Bob Seger. He recently released "Easy on Me," the first single off his upcoming solo debut Yolanda Station. The Marin County-born and raised Smith is owner/manager of Gulch Alley music studio in SF, which organizes the Gold Rush summer music [...]