Summertime requires some bluegrass on the Most Played list on the iPod of any hard-core Americana fan. Â You just can’t beat the combination of instrumental jams and light-hearted harmonies with some gin-laced lemonade on a sunny weekend afternoon. Â With that in mind, it’s good timing for the release of Austin-based The Lost Pines second album, […]
Mayer's Playlist for Mar/Apr 2011
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: A Day at the Pass, by Jill Sobule and John Doe What happens when you take two distinctive singer-songwriters and put them in the studio for a day with a group of talented musicians. Get your hands on a copy of this stellar release and you’ll have your answer. The collection […]
Cary Ann Hearst- Lions and Lambs
You ever wonder what modern country music should sound like? I give you exhibit A, Cary Ann Hearst. She has a voice big enough to stand toe to toe with any of the great female country vocalist, Loretta Lynne, Patsy Cline, or Dolly Parton. But, she also, unashamedly, rocks. Her new record crystallizes what may […]
Monday Morning Video: American Gun “Therapy”
Given that American Gun singer-songwriter Todd Mathis is a long-time contributor to Twangville, I’ll admit to a bit of bias when it comes to the band’s latest release. But there is only a bit of bias when I say that this is the way that rock and roll is supposed to be played. And by […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival 2011 Review
Every year at this time, a couple of weeks after all the glitterati have left South By, one of the best music festivals in the country kicks off 20 minutes outside of Austin: the Old Settler’s Music Festival. Â It’s a great mix of old and new talent, with enough people to get a good vibe […]
Readers’ Pick: Lucinda Williams, “Blessedâ€
READERS PICK: MARCH 2011 Twangville readers recently picked Lucinda Williams Blessed as their favorite album of March 2011. It seems like each time Williams releases a new album critics call it the best since Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. I guess that’s the consequence of having a Grammy-winning album. While comparisons will forever be […]
The Band Of Heathens – Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster’s Son
I’m beginning to think The Band of Heathens are a little bit like Benjamin Button. Â Many well-known bands start with critically acclaimed albums, move to spending more time on the road, then abandon studio releases all together to milk their live performances. Â The Heathens started as a live-only phenomena and now, with their third release, […]
Monday Morning Video: The Return of the Rainmakers
Long-time followers of Twangville should be familiar with Bob Walkenhorst, one of my favorite songwriters. I first heard Walkenhorst as lead singer and primary songwriter for the Rainmakers. Well, 25 years since their first album — and 15 years since their most recent album — the Rainmakers have returned with a new release. Learn and […]
Listen to Uncle Ozzy
Record Store Day 2011 is here! Listen to Uncle Ozzy and get thee to your local record store. Don’t know where it is? Find it here.
Twangville Talks to Jason Isbell
Twangville recently got a chance to talk with Jason Isbell by phone as he was resting up back home, getting ready for the release of his new record, Here We Rest (see Chip’s review here). The fruits of said conversation are below, enjoy. Congratulations on the new record, I really think it’s the best thing […]