There’s an otherworldliness that inhabits the deserts of California. It’s not just the inhospitable environment, it’s also a sense of realness that comes to the improbable. From the conspiracy theorists outside China Lake to the mystics in Joshua Tree, some of the inhabitants embrace that difference in life. With their roots in the high desert […]
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on embracing the Blues
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram plays a mean guitar for a guy barely old enough to drink in most states. And he has a reverence for the Blues that is uncommon in an artist so young. I reached out to Ingram recently as he was preparing to go out on tour, finally, in support of his new […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2021
Foregone Conclusion, Zach Schmidt (from the Boss Dawg Records release Raise a Banner) Zach Schmidt has been waiting awhile for the release of his sophomore full length album. Not Chinese Democracy long, but long enough. Schmidt recorded the album, backed by producer Sadler Vadan and the 400 Unit (yes, that one), then saw the album […]
Tylor and the Train Robbers -Non-Typical Find
Tylor and the Train Robbers are a family band that has toured relentlessly and been their own producers over two previous studio albums. Then, faster than you can say “pandemicâ€, things changed. Suddenly they were off the road and had a chance rethink their approach in their native Boise, Idaho. First hey jumped head first […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2021 (So Far), the Songs
Breaking a Heart/The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall (from the Sony Music Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) If you thought their song “Tin Man” was achingly beautiful, they’ve got a few more from their time in Marfa that just might make your eyes a little misty. I couldn’t decide […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2021 (So Far), the Albums
J.T. by Steve Earle & The Dukes Steve Earle’s moving tribute to his late son Justin Townes Earle is an emotional gut punch. Yet beyond the tragedy of the younger Earle’s passing, the elder Earle’s performances of his son’s songs highlight their shared gift of songwriting and storytelling mastery. Be warned, though, that the closing […]
Curtis Grimes Premiere – Miles Don’t Matter
My preferences in country music tend to lean to gravelly voices over a Bakersfield beat. Every now and then I come across a velvet voice and mainstream country sound that restores a little of my faith in the hits side of country music. Such was the case with Curtis Grimes. You could fill an entire […]
Readers’ Pick: Kevin Daniel – Been Here Before
You picked Kevin Daniel – Been Here Before as your favorite new release for the week of July 9, 2020. New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Summer & Fall 2021 Kevin Daniel – Been […]
Nobody’s Girl – Nobody’s Girl
Back in 2017 three friends (BettySoo, Grace Pettis & Rebecca Loebe) decided to do a tour together as set of singer-songwriters, you know, just a few weeks, a one-time shot. Long story short, they had so much fun the trio decided to temporarily set aside their personal projects and form a group, Nobody’s Girl. They […]
Readers’ Pick: Vincent Neil Emerson – Vincent Neil Emerson
You picked Vincent Neil Emerson – Vincent Neil Emerson as your favorite new release for the week of July 2, 2020. New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Summer & Fall 2021 Vincent Neil Emerson […]