1. Damien Jurado/The Horizon Just Laughed – After the Maraqopa trilogy with Richard Swift, Jurado self-produces the personal The Horizon Just Laughed. It’s vintage Jurado with biting lyrics and observations that leave plenty open to interpretation. 2. Michael Flynn/Pretend Like – A beautifully done album with strings-a-plenty and gorgeous images. 3. BRMC/Wrong Creatures – They […]
Steve Poltz Wins AMERICANAFEST 2018
As a newbie to AMERICANAFEST I have to say that looking at the schedule beforehand I was a bit overwhelmed. Throw in the fact that it had been about 10 years since I’d been to Nashville and that made it even more so. But once I got there and settled into the pace and learned […]
E.Z. Shakes / The Wolf
I have to admit when Zach Seibert (singer/songwriter for E.Z. Shakes) told me his newest project was going to record at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium I was pretty excited. I’ve always considered Zach one of the best songwriters in South Carolina (and beyond) and I couldn’t wait to hear his first proper full-length since 2009’s excellent […]
E.Z. Shakes/ The Wolf video
If you’re an NPR junkie like me you probably know about their Tiny Desk Concert Series. If not, check it out. Here’s an entry from a couple of months back from one of the best singer/songwriters here in South Carolina, Zach Seibert, these days going under the moniker E.Z. Shakes. He has a new album dropping […]
Michael Flynn Pretend Like
I first heard Mr. Flynn around 2004 with the release of Slow Runner’s no disassemble. I’ve been a big fan ever since. I’m not sure how to categorize his style/music, I just know I like it. I guess mid-tempo, introspective, thought provoking, self-deprecating, often sexy, sometimes funny, pop music would be a good place to […]
Colter Wall/March 8, 2018/New Brookland Tavern/West Columbia, SC
A near sold out show on a Thursday night in West Columbia, South Carolina is a rare thing. A 22 year old armed only with his guitar doing this is even rarer. But, we’re not talking about any 22 year old, we’re talking about Colter Wall, who’s voice recalls the great baritones of country and western […]
Todd’s Tops of 2017
I simultaneously love and loathe the end of the year lists. On one hand I get to share with folks the music that I enjoyed this past year, but on the other I always leave out something that will become my favorite of 2018. But a few times the way I’ve found my new favorite […]
Dori Freeman/Letters Never Read
I’m not sure how I stumbled across Dori Freeman’s latest release. Facebook marketing maybe? A friend listening on Spotify? An email I accidently clicked on instead of deleting? Whatever the method, I’m grateful that I did, as she has turned out to be one of my favorite discoveries of 2017. After listening to the first […]
Colter Wall/Colter Wall
Some of my favorite songwriters are storytellers. Even better are the ones that leave the endings a bit open so you can come to your own conclusions about the ending. Damien Jurado does this brilliantly, as does Neil Young. You can get lost in a song and see the characters as if reading a 300 […]
Don Merckle – Follow Me Boys
Here’s a video from my longtime friend, and once collaborator, Don Merckle. It’s from his recently released EP, The Ballad of Lincoln Wray, a concept record telling the story of his grandfather’s war exploits. You can pick up the EP here.