I’d venture a guess there aren’t many people walking around thinking of Akron, Ohio, as a hotbed of country music. Chrissie Hynde, Devo, The Black Keys: none of those really scream TWANG. Sometimes, though, you need to step outside the guts of the machine to see the big picture. It seems like Ryan Humbert and […]
Matt Hillyer Premiere – You Gotta Keep Moving
In the summer of 2021, Matt Hillyer and long-time bandmate Steven Berg decide to bring an end to their beloved band Eleven Hundred Springs. The group was a Dallas institution and credited with playing a big role in putting some edge back in the north Texas country scene. But certain things in life run their […]
FAI Conference 2023 – Musical Highlights
As I noted yesterday, the Folk Alliance International conference is one of my annual highlights. A big reason for that is the vast offering of musical performances; last year there were over 150 official showcases, and over 1000 private showcases in just 4 days. This year probably topped that. Clearly I didn’t make it to […]
2023 Folk Alliance International Conference
There are a multitude of organizations set up to serve the music industry, from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy people) and their non-profit, MusiCares, to industry organizations for various segments, to local music societies. I’m certain none of them come close to the broad offerings of Folk Alliance International. FAI […]
Alice Howe Premiere – What About You
Say what you will, but there are places in this world that have their own soul. I’ve never been, but I can imagine one of those is the FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals. Bi-coastal songstress Alice Howe certainly felt it the first time she recorded material there in 2019. The presence of all those previous […]
Jarrod Dickenson – Big Talk
If life is about the journey and not the destination, then I think there’s a corollary that most people are defined by the fight and not the win. It certainly seems that this phase of Jarrod Dickenson’s life hews to that. His new record, Big Talk, is a winner, due in no small part to […]
The Burnt Pines – Don’t Look Down
If there’s one thing the pandemic cemented in the music industry it’s that technology has enabled production of great records without the players ever being in the same room ala the “recording session” process of yesteryear. A fine example of that is The Burnt Pines, an indie folk group with members based in both the […]
Teni Rane Video Premiere : Rosemary & Evergreen
Aside from the standards, I tend to shy away from holiday songs. It seems like they’re either syrupy sweet, or have lyrics meant to be sung by your drunk uncle. Every now and then one comes along that captures some of the holiday spirit while being able to hold its own as a good song […]
Shawn’s Favorite Albums of 2022
It was a good year for music, both live and recorded. I heard some things pushing the envelope of an already large package called Americana. I heard some new takes on old songs and some old takes on new songs. I heard a few things that even though I knew what was coming, and looking […]
Whitehorse – I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying
At this point, the fact someone made a pandemic album is hardly a surprise. Typically it’s been a collection of favorite covers, or a project filled with random songs that made the cut after months of alone time. Canadian duo Whitehorse turned that on its ear with their new record, I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying. […]