Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the Americana Music Awards at the legendary Ryman Auditorium and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. East, West and Parts In-Between The conference expanded […]
Monday Morning Video – “September Gurls”
It’s been a few years since we celebrated September with the Big Star classic. We’ll forgo a version featuring any of the Big Star family and instead feature two young bands paying homage to the Memphis legends. First up is NYC-based indie rockers Dum Dum Girls. They are followed by a new favorite band, UK-based […]
Mayer’s Playlist for September 2015
Into the Deep, Galactic (from the Provogue release Into the Deep) There’s a lesson to be learned across the eleven tracks that make up Galactic’s latest release. I can’t recall a record in recent memory that is so musically diverse yet sounds so cohesive. It is a testament to the New Orleans-based quintet’s immense musical […]
Monday Morning Video – Robbie Fulks Covers Fountains of Wayne
Set aside his own impressive catalog, Robbie Fulks knows a good song when he hears one. Here’s an impressive cover of Fountains of Wayne’s brilliant power pop confection “The Girl I Can’t Forget.” A trombone and guitar solo? Fuggedaboutit. In true Fulks comedic fashion, the performance comes from a tribute night entitled “Fountains of Wayne […]
Say What?! Summer 2015 Edition
One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from the summer of 2015. Are we keeping you up? You’re yawning. You probably picked the wrong fucking table. Thomas Walsh of Pugwash to someone […]
Monday Morning Video – Kasey Chambers “Pretty Enough”
We recently wrote about Kasey Chamber’s great new album (here). Here’s a gem from her catalog, the moving “Pretty Enough” from 2008’s Barricades and Brick Walls.
Monday Morning Video – Frank Turner “Get Better”
For those in denial that summer is coming to a close (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), here’s Frank Turner to the rescue with a late summer anthem. The song, from the just released Positive Songs For Negative People, is both boisterous and inspirational: So try and get better and don’t ever accept less Take […]
Route 128 on a Dark and Lonely Night – A Special Boston Playlist
Here is the latest installment in our periodic series highlighting Boston and New England artists. (View the complete series here.) Jambalaya, Girls Guns and Glory (from the self-released A Tribute to Hank Williams – Live!) Girls Guns and Glory’s annual Hank Williams tribute shows have rapidly become a New Year’s tradition. With the help of […]
Monday Morning Video – Kevin Gordon Rocks in a Car
Does anyone else find it amusing to see Kevin Gordon singing about a GTO while sitting in a Fiat? Here’s a fave from Long Gone Time, Gordon’s new album. See the Twangville take on Gordon’s new release here.
Mea Culpa! A Special Summer Playlist, Part 3
Hard Work, Christopher Paul Stelling (from the Anti Records release Labor Against Waste) Count Labor Against Waste among the most powerful albums that you’ll hear this year. Wandering troubadour Stelling uses his songs to offer taut social commentary, peering into human intentions and sharing pointed perspectives on life’s opportunities and challenges. The mesmerizing ballad “Scarecrow” […]