Some call it Old-Timey, New-Grass, Jam-Grass, Rootsy, Pre-WWII, Folk or hell, some label junkies may even dream up a title like Appalachian Dumpsta-Funk (not bad actually, can’t it be as useful as “Alt-Country”?) The fact is, in the last few years we have witnessed an Ellis Island-style rush of young, unique, and quality hard-to-define [...] more »

Sun, May 04, 2008 | 0 Comments

When I pop in a disc from a band based in Virginia (West, or just the plain one) or North Carolina, I get excited and my mind fills with preconceived notions of good ol’ smokey mountain boogie, complete with Dueling Banjos and Foggy Mountain Breakdowns. Unfair? Sure. True? Not really, I [...] more »

Thu, Apr 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

I’m from northern California where “layering” your clothing is a mantra more than a conscious thought. Sure came in handy this year for Old Settler’s Music Festival in Driftwood (Austin), Texas, where there was driving rain, freezing cold (at least it felt that way), and warm, late-spring sunshine. Oh, and lots of good music, which [...] more »

Wed, Apr 23, 2008 | 1 Comment

No Depression reports that Chris Gaffney has succumbed to pancreatic cancer in a double dose of sad news this week. Among other things, Chris was known for his fine body of work with the Hacienda Brothers. Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends and fans of Chris Gaffney. more »

Thu, Apr 17, 2008 | 1 Comment

Hacienda Brother Chris Gaffney was diagnosed with liver cancer earlier this year. He is about to begin an extreme course of chemotherapy in hopes of eradicating the disease. Although he has health insurance, it will not cover all the costs associated with his treatment. To help defray the costs, friends and family have created [...] more »

Mon, Mar 31, 2008 | 0 Comments

What’s a monthly playlist without a video companion? This month we start and finish with a pair of incredible acoustic performances by the Jones Street Boys. In between we’ve got clips from Tift Merritt, Nada Surf, Butch Walker, Joe Jackson and Greg Trooper, among others. Don’t miss the haunting J. Tillman & [...] more »

Sun, Mar 30, 2008 | 0 Comments

“I still remember what you look like, buck naked riding your bike.” I am not a songwriter myself and it is hard to pin down exactly what constitutes a good roots rock song. However, I know this; if you write a song that involves someone getting buck naked and riding something, you have succeeded. The [...] more »

Mon, Mar 10, 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

Todd Mathis is a Twangville posse member and front man of the up and coming alt-country band American Gun, along with friend and fellow songwriter Donald Merckle. I guess that would make them the official house band here at Twangville. Based on their new CD, that is a good thing. They recently released The Means [...] more »

Thu, Feb 28, 2008 | 2 Comments

Be the envy of all your friends with this impressive bi-coastal prize pack featuring signed cds from Boston’s Dennis Brennan and LA’s Stonehoney. Every Wednesday Brennan delivers a master-class in American music at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, Massachusetts. One minute it is a rockin’ Brennan original, the next minute a Merle Haggard cover rounded [...] more »

Tue, Feb 26, 2008 | 7 Comments

ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Lurch, by Mike Viola Whether recording under his own name or his Candy Butchers moniker, Viola is a master musical alchemist, building each song around varied instruments pulled from his bag of musical sounds. From the Fisher Price piano that kicks off “Maybe, Maybe Not” to the fuzzy bass of “It [...] more »

Thu, Feb 21, 2008 | 0 Comments

New music is created in studios, bedrooms and studios every day. We at Twangville are fortunate and honored that many emerging artists chose to share their music with us. Join us below and in future installments to see what we find in the Twangville mailbox. Potlatch, The Bean Pickers Union (self-released) If music is at [...] more »

Tue, Feb 05, 2008 | 0 Comments

Before we get too far into 2008, here’s a quick trip down (recent) memory lane with some of my favorites from 2007. Among them: Jason Isbell (”Dress Blues”), Josh Ritter (”Right Moves”), Justin Currie (”If I Ever Loved You”), Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (”Falling Slowly” plus a bonus “Into the Mystic”), Brandi Carlile (”The [...] more »

Mon, Jan 14, 2008 | 0 Comments

As 2007 fades from memory, there’s a wealth of great music on the horizon in 2008. I’ve listed a few of my most eagerly awaited arrivals below, ordered by expected release date. Most of the artists have preview tracks available via MySpace; click on the artist name to link there. Check the Twangville Release [...] more »

Thu, Jan 10, 2008 | 1 Comment

Dress Blues, Jason Isbell Potent in its simplicity, Isbell reflects on the loss of a high school friend in the Iraqi War. Even after hundreds of listens, I still get a chill in my spine when Isbell sings “You never planned on the bombs in the sand, or sleeping in your dress blues.” [...] more »

Tue, Jan 08, 2008 | 1 Comment