My name is Matt Smith, and as of today I’ve joined the Twangville community as a Vigilante. I’ve been a fan of Twangville since it’s inception, and I’d like to thank Tom for welcoming me aboard. My favorite genre is Alternative or Indie Guitar Rock, and I often have electronica, breakbeat or old-skool hip-hop in […]
Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter
The amazing atmospherics of “Like Love Lust and the Open Halls of the Soul†are apparent from the outset of the album. The ambience of the album is due as much to the subdued jazzy vocals of Jesse Sykes as it is to the instrumentation. At times, Sykes sounds like a more throaty Billie Holiday. […]
Reader’s Pick: Richard Thompson’s, “Sweet Warrior”
With 75% of the votes, Twangville readers chose Richard Thompson‘s Sweet Warrior as their favorite new album in last week’s poll. Here’s some Richard Thompson videos both new and old. Enjoy!
Paul McCartney + More, Album Previews
Paul McCartney, Memory Almost Full (Full CD) Have you ever uttered these words about making music, “Sometimes I just sit down and try and write a pop song.”? I sure haven’t, but that’s what Paul McCartney says for his second track “Ever Present Past” on his new release titled Memory Almost Full. The album marks […]
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals @ The State Theatre
I recently took advantage of a chance to see Grace Potter & The Nocturnals on tour in the DC area (5/19/07). I’ve mentioned before that they were one of my favorite shows at SXSW back in March. As expected they put on an amazing show. Here’s some photos I took with my new Nikon digital […]
Elizabet Cook Live @ Workplay Theater Birmingham, AL. June 1st
Three songs into her set at the Workplay Theatre in Birmingham Elizabeth Cook broke into the Merle Haggard tune “Today I Started Loving You Again.†Somehow she took this Haggard composition and channeled Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynne simultaneously. There is no doubt in seeing her live that she is every bit as authentic as […]
Reader’s Pick: Loudon Wainwright III’s, “Strange Weirdos”
With 40% of the votes, Twangville readers chose Loudon Wainwright III‘s Strange Weirdos as their favorite new album in last week’s poll. Here’s some Loudon Wainwright videos both new and old. Enjoy!
Jennie Arnau/Mt. Pleasant
When I first saw the title to Jennie Arnau’s new album, Mt. Pleasant, I instinctively thought of the little town in South Carolina of the same name, but assumed that Arnau meant something different…she didn’t. The album was in fact named for that town. And although she’s based in New York these days, she’s originally […]
Juliana Hatfield & Frank Smith + More, Album Previews
Juliana Hatfield & Frank Smith, Sittin’ in a Tree (Full CD) Unfortunately Sittin’ in a Tree is only an EP, but I love the sweet buttery sound of Juliana Hatfield layered on top of formerly Boston, now Austin-based alt-country outfit Frank Smith. Check out EP track “A Beer and a Shot”. Even better, be sure […]
Rocky Votolato – “The Brag & Cuss”
Rocky Votolato has come full circle. Prior to going solo he was in a post-punk/emo band called Waxwing. On his new album Brag & Cuss, set to be released on June 19th by Barsuk, the influencesof his Texas childhood are more apparent. Votolato was born in and spent his early childhood in rural Texas. His […]