If you’re a musician in California, you can feel a bit cloistered. Between Palm Springs and Lubbock there’s a lot of not much. So faced with an 8+ hour drive to the next gig east of the Mojave, or picking up 4 gigs in the 400 miles from LA to San Francisco or Sacramento, it’s […]
American Aquarium – Fear of Standing Still
By the time most bands have released a dozen or so albums, they are past their prime. They may still be releasing solid material, but the zenith is clearly in the rear view. Thankfully American Aquarium isn’t most bands. BJ Barham’s band is scarred, and road worn for sure. Lineups have changed and morphed over […]
“Hand-Rolled” – a Premiere from The Belle Curves
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Delaney Hafener, the mastermind behind The Belle Curves, around New York City a few times over the past year. Each time I’ve been impressed by her ability to blend wondrous power pop with a rocking edge. It’s a sound that is lively and refreshing. Well, it’s finally time for […]
Melissa Carper – Borned In Ya
A couple of years ago, at AmericanaFest, one of my highlights was seeing a trio that later called themselves Wonder Women Of Country; Kelly Willis, Brennan Leigh, and Melissa Carper. I was familiar with the beautiful voices of Willis and Leigh, but Carper was new to me. She added an authenticity and balance to the […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2024 (So Far), the Albums
Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat by Fantastic Cat The sum is greater than the part with this collective of four singer-songwriters. Each of the four brings their own personality and songwriting style to the group, but they compliment one another beautifully. The songs crackle with intelligence and humor, all the better when the […]
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
The Fabulous Thunderbirds have persevered for roughly 50 years, and their new album Struck Down shows why. The origins of Kim Wilson’s band date back to 1970s Austin, Texas, and though Wilson is the constant in all those years, former members include Jimmie Vaughan, Duke Robillard and Nick Curran. Always known as lively concert performers, […]
Alice Wallace – Here I Am
Back in the day, the normal way to make an album was for the vocalist to go into the studio with musicians that did little else besides play on recordings being made for the name on the cover. Whether or not they knew the singer didn’t matter: they were musical craftsmen punching a time clock. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2024
So Glad You Made It, Fantastic Cat (from the Missing Piece Group Records release Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat) Fantastic Cat showcase their humor by maintaining a countdown clock until they’re eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, prominently displayed at their shows. Yet, it’s not entirely a joke – if […]
The Hold Steady “Constructive Summer 2024” @ 9:30 Club, Washington,D.C. (6-22-2024)
The Hold Steady took its summer three-city mini-residency, coined “Constructive Summer 2024,” to Washington, D.C. this past weekend, playing The Atlantis for one night and then the next two nights at 9:30 Club. THS are no strangers to D.C. or the 9:30 Club, but, as lead singer Craig Finn said from the stage, these were […]
2024 Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival
Back in the mid-90’s I went to the Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival on a whim. I was staying nearby, didn’t have plans, and I like bluegrass. Voila. Now, thirty years later, the festival is still around and stronger than ever. So I decided to go up to Grass Valley again and see what’s special about […]