It was just shy of a month ago that we lost Levon Helm, a true legend of rock and roll. The outpouring from the music community was immediate and immense. Here are but a few of the musical tributes (see below for the playlist details). Levon, you will be missed. Simone Felice performs “Radio Song” [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

One of my favorite parts of SXSW is the crazy things you see and hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections. I was going out with an actress, that was my first mistake. She was going out with a musician, that was her first mistake. Antonio Lulic It’s a real treat for [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Antonio Lulic A late start at the venue limited me to just a couple of songs from this singer-songwriter from North East London. His songs have a quiet intensity and his voice a weathered timbre, a pairing that combined for an impassioned performance. Audio Download: Antonio Lulic, “Hey, It’s Okay” [Audio clip: view full post [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Bahamas Former Feist guitarist Afie Jurvanen, who performs as Bahamas, caught my ear with his second release earlier this year. Live he takes it to another level, creating an ambiance that makes his already strong songs even stronger. Part of the reason is the distinctive make-up of his band: electric guitar, drums and two back-up [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Now did you really think that I could talk about SXSW and not mention Bruce Springsteen? Springsteen delivered the conference keynote and then joined the E Street Band and guests that evening for an unforgettable performance. The keynote speech was clearly geared towards the musicians in attendance. Springsteen delivered a rollicking history of rock and [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

There are literally thousands of performances that take place across Austin during SXSW. Here is a small sampling for your listening and viewing enjoyment. See below for a detailed list of the performances in this video playlist. Tom Morello, “World Wide Rebel Song” from the New West day party Bahamas, “Caught Me Thinking” The Lumineers, [...] 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 2,200 bands and 19,000 attendees, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even better, it is one heck of [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

It was another tough week for rock and roll with the passing of Davy Jones of the legendary Monkees. Whether one caught the tv series on its initial run in the 1960′s or the re-runs that followed for decades, it was hard not to smile at the group’s antics and enthusiasm. That was especially true [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

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by Mayer Danzig

If ever there was a Twangville give-away that I would want to win, this would be it. Several years ago Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly began playing multi-night shows during which he performed songs from his catalog in alphabetical order. The shows begat plans for a box set; the planned box set begat a book. Although [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

Last year, our Twangville authors combined forces to dub Justin Townes Earle‘s Harlem River Blues as Best Album of 2010. This year official Twangille Best Album of 2011 honors go to Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit‘s Here We Rest. Let me tell you this is no small feat as we’re a picky bunch. Our [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

Instead of focusing on a best of list, I wanted to highlight 10 albums released in 2011, by artists that aren’t household names. There are so many hard working and passionate artists who deserve to be noticed. The current landscape of the music industry makes it difficult for artist from local and regional scenes to [...] more »

by Chip Frazier

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t know Elvis? From the early Sun Studio years to the Vegas spectacles, he blazed a distinctive trail. Dig beneath the out-sized legacy, however, and you’ll find the heart of a musician. Over the course of his career, Elvis wrapped his voice around everything from gospel to country to [...] more »

by Mayer Danzig

With 65 of 300 total votes Twangville readers picked Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit‘s “Here We Rest” as their favorite album of 2011. Rounding out the top five were albums from Matthew Ryan, The Decemberists, Ryan Adams, and Gillian Welch. Congratulations to all the nominees which were based on our monthly Readers’ Pick poll. [...] more »

by Tom Osborne

There were tons of releases in 2011 and I am sure I only listened to a fraction of them.  I always have a hard time narrowing down my top 5 or so choices, and then I always have a hard time coming up with a full list of 25.  Here’s my top 15 of the [...] more »

by Todd Mathis