Elvis Costello performing classic “Radio Radio” while touring for new album ‘Momofuku’. ELVIS COSTELLO, Momofuku (Lost Highway)Official Site | MySpace | Samples At Twangville there’s very little that Elvis Costello can do wrong. The lastest from Costello and his merry band of Imposters appears to be no different. Adding to the fun the band teams up [...] more »

Mon, May 05, 2008 | 0 Comments

“Live To Be Free” from new album ‘Flying Upside Down’ GRIFFIN HOUSE, Flying Upside Down (Nettwerk) Official Site | MySpace | Stream Out of Ohio comes Nashville-based singer-songwriter Griffin House with his latest record titled ‘Flying Upside Down’ available on Nettwerk Records. House draws well-warranted comparisons to Ryan Adams (in a good way) as well as [...] more »

Mon, Apr 28, 2008 | 0 Comments

**NOTE: Contest is now closed. You can still participate but will no longer be eligible for the giveaway.** One disc you may have overlooked in 2007 came from Richmond, VA based Wrinkle Neck Mules titled ‘The Wicks Have Met’. Rustically rooted in Old Dominion’s historic south, the Wrinkle Neck Mules deliver with their own special brand [...] more »

Wed, Apr 23, 2008 | 15 Comments

“World Spins Madly On” from previous album ‘Say I Am You’ THE WEEPIES, Hideaway (Nettwerk) Official Site | MySpace | Stream | Free Download* They make sweet, sweet music… and babies… or at least one baby. Both parthers in music and in life the duo of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen released another Weepies album [...] more »

Tue, Apr 22, 2008 | 1 Comment

JAMES MCMURTRY, Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod) Official Site | MySpace | Preview | MP3* I never really understood the James McMurtry hype until I saw him live for the first time prior to the start of this year’s SXSW music festival. Outfitted with SIX guitars on this night at Austin’s Momo’s his weapon [...] more »

Tue, Apr 15, 2008 | 0 Comments

My Saturday night started strong and finished monumentally, though in the middle was an unfortunate lowlight in the form of the only showcase I didn’t get into this year due to the length of the line (it was an acoustic Nada Surf performance, but don’t cry for me, Twangville Nation — I’m seeing them at [...] more »

Sat, Apr 12, 2008 | 0 Comments

Friday night followed my unintentional afternoon trend of mixing old favorites with new sounds. My preference at South-by is to see almost entirely new-to-me bands, especially during official showcases, but there were just too many favorites to stick to my guns on a day like this. Sue me. In that respect, Friday night truly [...] more »

Fri, Apr 11, 2008 | 2 Comments

The highlight of my Thursday night occurred straight out of the gate in the 8 o’clock showcase time slot, but it was hardly all downhill from there, as a “bonus highlight” also awaited me during the witching hour. I’ve had a few tracks by the Swedish singer-songwriter, Jens Lekman, for a couple of years now. [...] more »

Thu, Apr 10, 2008 | 0 Comments

SXSW 2008 - John’s Wednesday Night Highlight: The Playing Favorites My third showcase of the night on Wednesday was when I struck gold for the first time “officially” this year, and I knew it almost as soon as the Playing Favorites began their set. The Playing Favorites are a supergroup of sorts, featuring members of Me First [...] more »

Wed, Apr 09, 2008 | 1 Comment

HAYES CARLL, Trouble In Mind (Lost Highway) Official Site | MySpace | Preview Known for his dry sense of humor, tell-it-like-it-is songwriting and the first self-released record to reach #1 on the Americana Music Chart (’Little Rock’), Hayes Carll brings us a new album on Lost Highway Records he calls ‘Trouble In Mind’. He’s [...] more »

Mon, Apr 07, 2008 | 1 Comment

JACKIE GREENE, Giving Up The Ghost (429) Official Site | MySpace | eCard ‘Giving Up The Ghost’, the fourth release from San Francisco based Jackie Greene shows a steady maturation of one of the biggest up and comers in American music. Reminiscent of Dylan, the Stones, and to a lesser extent Springsteen, Greene is keeping [...] more »

Tue, Apr 01, 2008 | 0 Comments

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE, The Good Life (Bloodshot) Official Site | MySpace | MP3* At times Justin Townes Earle sounds like he’s broadcasting songs from a time long gone. At others he couldn’t be more here and now. As you might already know, he’s the son of legendary singer/songwriter Steve Earle and wears the mark [...] more »

Mon, Mar 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

6 days and over 34 bands later my Sat-Fri stay at SXSW proved to be even better than the previous year. Keeping up with Mayer is a feat in and of itself. You better be prepared for a brisk pace from venue to venue and you better be open minded about who you’re gonna see. [...] more »

Thu, Mar 20, 2008 | 3 Comments

Its been days now since I’ve returned from the world’s greatest music festival in Austin, TX, SXSW of course. Good times were had, new friends were made, great music was listened to and yet I crave more. Before the music festival had even officially kicked off I had already seen James McMurtry, The Smithereens, Matt [...] more »

Tue, Mar 18, 2008 | 0 Comments

You could be doing any number of things this week. For instance, you could be playing superdelegate ping pong in your mind while you watch the latest news coming out of Ohio and Texas regarding who’s hot right now, be it Barack or Hillary (or John). You might also be joining us in mourning the [...] more »

Wed, Mar 05, 2008 | 0 Comments