One act I’m really going to try to see this year at SXSW is Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. They’re playing at 1am on Thursday night at the Cedar Street Courtyard. Check ’em out. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – “Mystery Train” Thanks, John!
SXSW 2007 Thursday Night Preview
Here’s a preview of some bands familiar to me playing on Thursday night of this year’s festival. A big thanks to the bands for being kind enough to make the songs available for us all to browse. Give ’em a listen and go check ’em out if you are gonna be in Austin. The Paybacks […]
AmericanaRoots.com Showcase at SXSW
Gregg Geil and our pals over at AmericanaRoots.com are hosting their second annual showcase at SXSW on Saturday the 17th at the Waterloo Ice House. The lineup: 8PM Bow Thayer 9PM Band of Heathens 10PM John D. Hale Band 11PM Wrinkle Neck Mules 12PM Tom Gillam’s Tractor Pull (full band) Its about this time when […]
SXSW 2007 Wednesday Night Preview
Here we go, the SXSW chatter has begun and is gaining momentum. The legendary music and arts conference is only a week away and Austin, TX is certain to be preparing for its largest showing yet. I, of the uninitiated, will be attending for the first time with fellow twanger Mayer Danzig to help show […]
Son Volt & More, Album Previews
Son Volt, The Search (Legacy) Their previous release, Okemah and the Melody of Riot, landed at #3 on my top ten list of 2005. Its fair to say I’m biased when talking about Son Volt. Jay Farrar and Mike Heidorn created Son Volt out of the ashes of Uncle Tupelo who along with Whiskeytown should […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2007
ALBUM OF THE MONTH: New Magnetic Wonder, by The Apples in Stereo After a five year hiatus, the Apples return with their best album yet. Album opener “Can You Feel It” sets the stage with a burst of merriment, with an energetic cowbell-anchored beat to the ELO and Buggles (remember them?) style vocals on the […]
The Return of Matthew Sweet?
Matthew Sweet’s 1991 album Girlfriend burst through like a breath of fresh air. During a time when grunge ruled the airwaves and Nirvana was leading the charge, Sweet took the roughness of grunge and married it with southern California harmonies and pop sensibilities. Sweet has quietly reemerged in recent years, most notably collaborating with Susanna […]
Last Train Home, Looking Back
Here’s a brief follow up from the Last Train Home cd release party at IOTA in Alexandria, VA on February 17, 2007. I don’t have a full review from the Last Train Home show ’cause I was just having too much fun to worry about breaking down the show into a blog post. You’ll have […]
Life’s a Beach, a Playlist
I created this playlist a few years back when it was the middle of winter and I was sick with a case of cabin fever. Now, as February comes to an end, its time again to escape to happy thoughts of sand beneath my toes, a warm breeze blowing by and a fragrant hint of […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January 2007
ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Engagement, by Dennis Brennan Boston-based Brennan kicks of the year with a combination of studio recordings and live performances that showcase his broad musical range. He shifts seamlessly from rock (“Sugar Falls”) to country (Merle Haggard’s “You Don’t Have Very Far to Go”) and rhythm and blues (“It Ain’t What You […]