James McMurtry does not talk much, and he does not volunteer myth. He answers questions carefully, sometimes obliquely, often economically, as if every word costs something. That reserve has become part of his public character, as recognizable as the stark clarity of his songs. McMurtry is a listener first, a keen observer of language and […]
Patton Magee of The Nude Party on How They Got a Sitar and the Best Kept Secret in Music
Patton Magee of The Nude Party talks about the benefit of staying busy and recalls what happened when the police showed up at the band’s first gig.
Monday Morning Video – Tyler-James Kelly
The beauty of true country music is its simplicity. But there’s real complexity in creating something that feels effortless—distilling a song idea down to its core, making it lyrically accessible, and setting it to a melody that’s both immediate and unforgettable. Tyler-James Kelly did exactly that on his solo debut, and he continues that success […]
Now & Then: Natalie Del Carmen’s Pastures and the reach of Our Endless Numbered Days
Los Angeles is not exactly famous for quiet. It’s famous for traffic that hums in B-flat and palm trees that look like they’re always posing for a headshot. So when a 24-year-old songwriter from L.A. drops an Americana record called Pastures, the first surprise is the title. The second surprise is that it actually sounds like one: open air, creaky wood, and time moving at a human speed.
Readers’ Pick: Natalie Del Carmen – Pastures
You picked Natalie Del Carmen – Pastures as your favorite new release for the week of January 30, 2026.
John Francis O’Mara Video Premiere – Jesus Walked On Water
One of my favorite albums of last year was John Francis O’Mara’s Forbidden Hymns. It’s a plea for humanity to dig deep into their soul and find the empathy and kindness that’s been mocked as a weakness by many in power today. Set to a soundtrack of outlaw country hymns and Southern rock R&B ballads, […]
Folk Alliance Int’l 2026 – Shawn’s Favorites
Folk Alliance International isn’t your typical music conference. Held this year in New Orleans, days include industry panels, seminars, and public showcases in hotel ballrooms, but the real magic happens late at night when up to 100 hotel rooms transform into intimate “private showcases”—artists who normally fill 500-seat theaters performing for 20 people at a […]
2026 Folk Alliance International Conference
From gold-plated toilets in the White House to $5000 burgers, society’s pendulum is clearly swinging well into the conspicuous consumption range. For a respite from all that money can buy, I heartily recommend the annual Folk Alliance International conference. Held a couple of weeks ago in the downtown Sheraton in New Orleans, it’s a haven […]
Paul Givant of Rose’s Pawn Shop on 3 Legged Vans and Random Guitar Repairs
Paul Givant of Rose’s Pawn Shop reveals how the band got its name and why diving in the deep end of the music business is better than just dipping a toe.
It’s Cold Outside – a Premiere From Cold Chocolate
There are guitar-drum duos who sound like guitar-drum duos. And there are those that do something special. Cold Chocolate are firmly in the latter category. The Boston duo blend folk, rock, funk and bluegrass into something that honors tradition while kicking up a ruckus with scruffy guitar and driving rhythms. They don’t limit themselves to […]