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†[…]
Trampled by Turtles in String Band Paradise
Trad bluegrass they ain’t. But don’t let that turn you off. The boys of Trampled by Turtles can pick a banjo and make a fiddle whine with the best of em. In person, they were just as lively and rocking as bluegrass instruments can be. Dave Simonette’s impassioned vocals and three-part harmonies bring every bit […]
SXSW 2012: The Sounds, Part 2
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:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17612247/Antonio%20Luli%C4%87%20-%20Rough%20-%201%20-%20Hey%2C%20It’s%20Okay.mp3] Glen Hansard The skills […]
SXSW 2012: The Sounds, Part 1
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 […]
SXSW 2012: Springsteen
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 […]
Monday Morning Video: SXSW 2012
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, […]
SXSW 2012: The Scene
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 […]
Monday Morning Video: Tommy Stinson
Tommy Stinson made his reputation and makes his living as a bass player, with the Replacements and Guns and Roses, respectively. Put a guitar in his hands, however, and you get some brilliant rock songs. Here are two live performances featuring songs from One Man Mutiny, his latest release.
Great Elk – Autogeography
Lush strings, cavernous spaces and 80s style percussion. The first two of those are wonderfully symphonic, but the percussion just doesn’t please the ear. At times Great Elk outgrows the indie Death Cab sound, but at times the band sounds all too much like them. Songs are often light on lyrics, but bigger on atmosphere […]
Wrinkle Neck Mules – Apprentice to Ghosts
The Wrinkle Neck Mules are back again, but this time with a little bit of help from a celebrity Gecko. (Down South we think that is just a fancy name for a Lizard, but I digress.) The song “Central Daylight Time†is straightforward Honky Tonk and apparently the folks at Geico liked it so much […]