The hands-down highlight of the Conference was the annual Americana Music Awards. In this instance, the words for such a magical evening are hard to come by. Set aside any the speeches and performances, the event was held in the legendary Ryman Auditorium. Originally built for religious revivalist meetings, it achieved great fame as the [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

This year, Twangville made it’s first trek to Nashville for the annual Americana Music Conference and the 10th Annual Americana Music Awards. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting some the moments, musical and otherwise, from this year’s event. WHAT’S IN A NAME? The running joke all week was how to define Americana. The context [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Public television in Boston showed an edited version of Do It Again, a movie about the Kinks, last night. The story revolves around Geoff Edgers, a Boston Globe reporter who sets out on a quest to reunite the legendary British band. Along the way, Edgers interviews artists ranging from Sting to Peter Buck to Robyn [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

It is hard to believe that summer is nearly over. How do I know this? I was at a music club on Saturday that had changed over their Sam Adams tap from Summer to Octoberfest. Talk about jumping the gun! Anyway, the next few weeks will unleash an abundance of great new music just in [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

The title about says it all. Later this summer Matthew Ryan will officially release I Recall Standing As Though Nothing Could Fall. And as the definition of “release” continues to get blurry, you can purchase a digital download of the full release now. Buy it here. And as a special bonus, here’s a stripped down [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Rock and Roll is a little quieter and less soulful today. Rest in peace, Clarence. more »

by Mayer Danzig

Record Store Day 2011 is here! Listen to Uncle Ozzy and get thee to your local record store. Don’t know where it is? Find it here. more »

by Mayer Danzig

Given that friends and colleagues always ask upon my return from Austin who were my absolute favorites of the new bands I saw at SXSW each year, I’m going to focus my attentions entirely on the new-to-me bands that I left Austin wishing most fervently that I could see play again right now. As it [...] more »

by John Anderson

DAY PARTIES EVERYWHERE Unofficial day parties have exploded in the past several years to the point that they now outnumber the official showcases. By my count there were over 120 day parties taking place on Saturday and I know that my list wasn’t complete. With that many shows it takes some creativity to stand out, [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,000 bands and 13,000 attendees, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even better, it is one heck of [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

I dub this a good day, since any day that we get new music from Dave Alvin is a good day to me. Alvin wrote and recorded the track for the FX series “Justified.” Alvin will also appear in the episode, which is based in the fictional town of Harlan County, KY. For those of [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Without fail, there are always two random days each year that overflow with impressive new releases. Mark February 15th on your calendar for a bounty of musical delight. And if you are still catching up on 2010, you’ll find our Best Of 2010 lists here. KASEY ANDERSON, Heart of a Dog (Release date 15 February [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Marking our 5th year in existence, it’s that time again when we say thanks to all those who have made Twangville possible. Our mission has always been to share our love for music you don’t often hear in the mainstream – Alt-country, Americana, Folk, Rock & Blues. We’ll soon start sharing our favorites of the [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

Go-Go Boots by The Drive-By Truckers, coming 15 February 2011. more »

by Mayer Danzig

The music world lost one of the great ones today with the passing of Solomon Burke. Here are two classic Burke performances to celebrate the life of the man referred to as the King of Rock and Soul. The first, a duet with Patty Griffin on her moving — and fitting — song “Up On [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig