Songwriters, pickers, rockers, and everything in between. That’s what Newport Folk gets you. Many favorites are back. Jason Isbell, armed with tunes from his new record, “Weathervanes,” will be back again. In addition, Gregory Alan Isakov will be returning for his particular brand of folk and ambient songwriting. Billy Strings will be back too. He’ll […]
Marina Rocks – Texcentric
Marina Rocks calls Texas home. She embraces its whole self, warts and all, and takes you on a musical journey through it on her latest record, Texcentric. Starting as a child in the state capital, her mother encouraged her musical exploration at an early age, with not just the gift of a guitar but also […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2023
Tumbleweed, Jeremie Albino (from the Good People Record Co. release Tears You Hide) While Jeremie Albino may tease with 30 seconds of old-time pickin’ on album opener “Dance With Me”, he very quickly brings out the good time – and rowdy – fun that defines Tears You Hide. “Angeline”, the first full track, finds the […]
Cry Me a River – a Premiere from My Sister, My Brother
There’s something special when independent artists collaborate. I’m not talking about two songwriters sitting in a room to write a song together but rather when they weave their talents together to create a cohesive and collaborative piece of work. The results can be magical. Such is the story of Garrison Starr and Sean McConnell – […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2023 (So Far), the Songs
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) Amidst an album of dark and sobering ballads, de la Cour proves that he can rock with the best of ‘em. Simple Things, The Band of Heathens (from the BOH Records release Simple Things) Getting by on simple things, letting go […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2023 (So Far), the Albums
Stand in the Joy by William Prince Stand in the Joy is the kind of album that you can get lost in – Prince’s voice and songs are as soothing as they are poignant. Best listened to with your eyes closed. Sweet Anhedonia by Ben de la Cour Sweet Anhedonia is richly textured and darkly […]
William Lee Ellis – Ghost Hymns
William Lee Ellis plays roots music in its purest form. An acoustic master named after his godfather, legendary bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, Ellis plays bluegrass, folk and blues in a straightforward, intimate way. His music is a throwback to the days before computers, before television, even before radio, when music was always live and personal. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring, Part 3
Broken Heart of Mine, William Prince (from the Six Shooter Records release Stand in the Joy) “Is the moon shining bright where you are? Is it even shining at all?,” asks William Prince at the start of the outstanding “When You Miss Someone”, the lead track from his latest album. The song wistfully chronicles the […]
Brennen Leigh – Ain’t Through Honky Tonkin’ Yet
“What kind of music do you usually have here? Oh, we have both kinds, country and western.” That line set the stage for arguably the best scene Hollywood ever did about honky tonk bars. Like all good parodies, there were some underlying truths that rang true even when injected with comedy. Brennen Leigh has taken […]
Joanna Connor – Best of Me
When I saw Joanna Connor tear it up at a blues festival awhile back I swore I would never neglect work her again. She’s great. Go see her and buy her music, including her new release, Best of Me. Connor is known for her commanding vocals and brazen guitar licks. Her mastery of the guitar […]