Back in the 60’s and 70’s it wasn’t uncommon for a musician to take a job in Nashville writing songs for other people while they polished their performance skills. A couple of guys you might have heard of, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, started their careers that way. As the industry evolved, the pendulum swung […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 4
Called Out Your Name, Terra Lightfoot (from the Sonic Unyon Records release Consider the Speed) If you’re anything like me – especially in a year like this one – sometimes you just want a healthy dose of electrifying rock and roll. Thankfully Terra Lightfoot is back to fulfill that desire and, perhaps, melt a few faces […]
Video Premiere – Drew Aron
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Drew Aron’s debut release, Familiar Faces. It’s a mostly auto-biographical story about a musician finding himself in a city flooded with artists finding themselves. There are some lighter moments to be sure, but there is a lot of material to fuel a lot of songs (which is […]
Mink’s Miracle Medicine – Thumbs Up Angel
Peanut butter and chocolate. Harley Davidson and leather. Punk and bluegrass. OK, well maybe that last pair doesn’t go together like the first two examples. In the case of West Virginia duo, Mink’s Miracle Medicine, though, it turned out well. Lead guitarist Daniel Zezeski brings his punk and ska roots to the collaboration, while lead […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 3
When You’re Gone, Lydia Loveless (from the Honey You’re Gonna Be Late Records release Daughter) Daughter isn’t an easy album. Sure, the album has some strong and engaging melodies, not to mention the wonder that is the singer’s commanding voice. Yet it is also a lyrically and musically dense album, one that finds Loveless continuing […]
Video Premiere: Ben de la Cour – Last Chance Farm
Ben de la Cour is one of my favorite discoveries this year. His album “Shadow Land†oozes raw emotion and was my introduction to one of the most authentic singer-songwriters around. Twangville is pleased to premiere his video from this album, “Last Chance Farmâ€. This song stands out in contrast to the other songs on […]
Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters – Rise Up
Ronnie Earl is has long been regarded as being among the best blues guitarists alive today, having won the Blues Music Award for “Guitar Player of the Year” four times. But Earl is also an earnest cheerleader for advancement of the human condition. Rise Up effectively lashes his interests in social justice with great music. […]
Two EP Gems – The Ghosts Of Liberty & Drew Aron
First up is the debut record from North Carolina couple Emma & Tyler Millard, who go under the band name The Ghosts Of Liberty. My favorite song on the 3-tune EP is Roanoke River. It’s a tension-filled, country-pop story about society’s biases and love’s ability to overcome them. With Tyler’s rootsy edge on guitar providing […]
Alright Alright – Crucible
Several years ago I voted for Jason Isbell’s Southeastern as #1 in our annual album poll. I kind of surprised myself at the time, because as awesome as the record was, the subject matter of many of the songs was dark. I found myself having to steel up a little before I hit play. I […]
A Twangville Premiere from John Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner
I’ve been waiting patiently for John Pedigo to release the follow-up to 2018’s self-titled release. Pedigo, with his Magic Pilsner compadres, have been taking their time on their sophomore release, in part due to Pedigo’s “side gig†as a producer extraordinaire for the likes of Joshua Ray Walker and others. And then pandemic. Without the ability to […]