Ain’t no party like an Andy Frasco party… I caught Frasco and company in NYC a few weeks ago and the crew put on one hell of a show. Here’s a clip of the band performing “Dancin’ Around My Grave” from their Boston show a few nights prior. The sound quality is not pristine but […]
Monday Morning Video – The Dreaming Spires and Antonio Lulic
I’m excited to be headed to Austin, Texas tomorrow for the annual SXSW music conference and festival. I take the assignment seriously, doing a fair amount of research before I arrive. That effort has resulted in some really great discoveries. Here are a pair from SXSW’s past. First up is the UK’s The Dreaming Spires […]
Monday Morning Video – Wade Bowen
This is a favorite song from a few years back, courtesy of Texas singer-songwriter Wade Bowen. I love the blend of pop and melancholy of “Everything Has Your Memory”.
Mayer’s Playlist for Early 2025
Easy Love, Part 1, Larkin Poe (from the Tricki-Woo Records release Bloom) Rebecca and Megan Lovell continue to fortify their position as leading lights for modern blues-based rock. Their latest album is another glorious celebration of rock and roll, one led by Rebecca’s electric guitar and Megan’s steel guitar. Opener “Mockingbird” may start with a […]
Monday Morning Video – Warren Zevon
I fell down the Warren Zevon rabbit hole this weekend. It started with videos of Zevon himself, but it quickly stretched into the abyss of Zevon covers. Here’s a video playlist with some favorites from that journey: Town Mountain’s bluegrass take on “Lawyers Guns and Money”, Dawes and Lucius making a head fake before launching […]
Monday Morning Video – Aaron Lee Tasjan, Butch Walker, and Andrew Leahey
Watch Aaron Lee Tasjan, Butch Walker, and Andrew Leahey unleash their guitars on this incendiary live performance of Tom Petty’s “Running Down a Dream”, captured at Nashville’s Basement East last month.
Monday Morning Video – Robbie Fulks
Let’s spend Monday morning talking about Saturday night, courtesy of Robbie Fulks. The Fulks catalog covers a broad spectrum, from songs raw and honest to those that are comical and entertaining. At his best, however, he combines the two into songs that are imminently catchy but have a serious undercurrent. “Let’s Kill Saturday Night” is […]
“Beautiful Mess” – a Premiere From Olivia Ellen Lloyd
After taking a hiatus from music, Olivia Ellen Lloyd returned to music a few years ago. And it’s a damn good thing that the she did. The Brooklyn by way of West Virginia singer-songwriter is a special talent. She’s fearless in her songwriting, a refreshing reminder of what country music can be. “Beautiful Mess”, her […]
“I Love You, I Need You” – a Premiere from GA-20
A recent personnel change didn’t slow New England’s GA-20‘s bluesy stride. Singer-guitarist Cody Nilsen joined the group, teaming up with powerhouse drummer Joshua Kiggans and group co-founder guitarist Matthew Stubbs. Still no bass player to be found, but it doesn’t matter – the group’s musical interplay gives their songs a rhythmic swagger. “I Love You, […]
Monday Morning Video – Jellyfish
I’m fortunate to have gotten to see many of my favorite artists perform live. Of course there are a few that slipped through the cracks. One of them was Jellyfish. The group crafted perfect pop songs, all enriched by their glorious harmonies. They only released two albums – Bellybutton and Spilt Milk, both of which […]