"Longtime jazz vocalist Diane Hubka has, in recent years, shifted her focus to country, folk, and rock with excellent results. The approach on her latest release echoes the one she employed so effectively on 2023’s You Never Can Tell. She again offers charming, unaffected vocals, a mix of band originals and well-chosen covers, and complementary backup by the three-man Sun Canyon Band.
Highlights include the bright, upbeat “Sun Canyon,” which its composer, group guitarist Rick Myock, calls “an invitation to leave your loneliness behind and…dance to some good-time music”; the Louvin Brothers’ “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” which features mandolin and harmony vocals by veteran British multi-instrumentalist Albert Lee; a sweet, acoustic cover of “If I Needed You,” the classic Townes Van Zandt ballad; and a spirited reading of Delbert McClinton’s ‘Two More Bottles of Wine.’” - Jeff Burger, Americana Highways Nov. 2025
Ultimately, what Diane Hubka & The Sun Canyon Band have crafted with Moon Over Larrabee is more than just a collection of songs. They’ve successfully channeled the moonlit ghosts of the Sunset Strip, conjuring the very scenes from their beginnings on that hallowed ground near the old Tower Records. The resulting tapestry of folk, Americana, and vintage rock & roll taps into an authenticity that’s truly their own, and seldom seen.
- Spotlight Music Review Blog Nov. 2025
“Originally a jazz artist who lived 2 decades in NYC, Diane brought her warm, skilled chanteuse voice to the Sun Canyon Band & now wears a cowboy hat. She possesses a countrified tone, is consistently entertaining & puts her signature on everything she sings. Her set is always perceptive & sincere.”
- Americana Highways Oct. 2025
“These days, positivity and optimism feel like they are in short supply, so we should be thankful that we have artists like Diane Hubka & The Sun Canyon Band who can spread a little joy…. Ultimately, Moon Over Larrabee is a unique record, particularly in this day and age. The record is both unique and authentic, in the same way that popular music was in the ’50s and ’60s. It also serves as proof that the spirit of Laurel Canyon is being kept alive and well by artists like Hubka, dedicated and faithful to the roots of the music that made them into the artists they are today.- V13 MEDIA, Oct. 2025
“Moon Over Larrabee [was] inspired by the moonlit streets of West Hollywood where the band first came together—near the site of the original Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard—the record captures echoes of Laurel Canyon’s golden era while weaving in fresh folk, Americana, country, blues, swing, and rock & roll.” - GRATEFUL WEB, Oct. 2025
“Wholesome theme song 'Sun Canyon' has an uplifting quality with a sound that feels both classic yet timeless." - VENTS MAGAZINE, Oct. 2025
"The sweet-toned timbres of Hubka's voice and the coolly articulate qualities of her interpretations were precisely right"
- LOS ANGELES TIMES
“Hubka captures the joy in Guy Clark’s 'Baton Rouge' and will likely have you singing along to her version of Bob Dylan’s classic 'You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.'”
- JEFF BURGER, AMERICANA HIGHWAYS
"A blend of breezy Americana, Western swing and California folk-pop." - AMERICANA UK
"Rolling hills, faces, 'and I wanna go home' are all hallmark images of Diane’s introspective folk style. Her songwriting will soothe and calm your wayward jitters." - AMERICANA HIGHWAYS
"Hubka's charming vocals lure you into dancing along to this feel-good Guy Clark cover." - GRATEFUL WEB
"Nothing disturbs the good time feeling of such experienced musicians playing together. Without a doubt the standout track here, for me, is the traditional Shady Grove (a love song that has a closer relationship with the English version of the ballad 'Matty Grove' - as recorded by Fairport Convention) The band give it a lively outing with Lee’s mandolin taking a lead alongside Mayock’s baritone guitar." - LONESOME HIGHWAY
"[Hubka] will have you singing along to her version of Bob Dylan’s classic 'You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.'” - THE AQUARIAN WEEKLY
"Beguiling voice... I played this album on a couple of grey, cold and damp February days; and it genuinely lifted my spirits... the harmonies of Peter, Paul & Mary through Emmylou and even the husky vocals of Bonnie Raitt... it’s fun, fun, fun."
- THE ROCKING MAGPIE
"As eclectically entertaining a collection of non-standard material as one could wish for.“ - THE VILLAGE VOICE
“She wraps her clear-as-mountain-stream sound around the songs with consistently winning results.” - JAZZTIMES
Diane won third place in the Singing Competition! Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival
Rick Mayock played/sang harmonies. You can see everyone who placed in all the music competitions here: www.topangabanjofiddle.org/2023-contest-winners
Diane Hubka & The Sun Canyon Band, You Never Can Tell.
"Hubka captures the joy in Guy Clark’s “Baton Rouge” and will likely have you singing along to her version of Bob Dylan’s classic “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” The traditional “Shady Grove” and Chuck Berry title cut are endearing as well, as is a brass-spiced cover of Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927.” Also likable are “Albuquerque,” a Western swing–influenced acoustic guitar showcase; and “Dancing with My Shadow” and “Belly of the Whale,” both of which were written by the band’s Rick Mayock, who chimes in on vocals." - Jeff Burger
Here's a nice write up in the West L.A. publication The Argonaut!
The Argonaut, published in Southern California since 1971, is the best source of local information for the Westside of Los Angeles, including the communities of Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Westchester, Venice and Santa Monica.
Lovely Haiku Review for our new Single: "Baton Rouge"!
Country melody,
pretty voice and good story.
Gonna cool my heels.
