Steve Earle is back. He may have never really left, but “So You Wannabe An Outlaw” stands beside his best albums (and there are many). It sounds like his classic period from the 80s up through his classic Transcendental Blues in 2000 (without the early 90s records during his descent into drug addiction). Earle has […]
Emerging Artist – Courtney Marie Andrews’ Honest Life
Catching up on missed music is not what I thought that a newborn would allow me to do this summer. But the late nights, and the missed sleep between feedings, seemed only like a time when I would just wish I could sleep through the night. But there I was, 3:30 AM on a Tuesday, […]
The Stray Birds – Magic Fire
I’m embarrassed. How did an album like Magic Fire slip through right under my nose (it came out in August of last year). Sure the Stray Birds are obscure but they’re one of my favorite bands. I didn’t even know they’d made a brilliant new album expanding their sound in all directions. So my only […]
Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires – Youth Detention
There is only one way to listen to a Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires album…. LOUD!!! Don’t worry about disturbing the neighbors. Just crank it up and wake up the whole neighborhood. On their new album, Youth Detention, the band combines their power chord driven Southern Rock and Blues influences with a Punk […]
Back in the Saddle Again – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 2
It’s time to get back in the playlist game. After a not-so-brief hiatus during which I opened the Twangville office in Dallas, I’m ready to get back to the playlists. And, given that the last one appeared in August of last year (!), let’s just say that I’ve got some catching up to do. To […]
Back in the Saddle Again – a Special Twangville Playlist
It’s time to get back in the playlist game. After a not-so-brief hiatus during which I opened the Twangville office in Dallas, I’m ready to get back to the playlists. And, given that the last one appeared in August of last year(!), let’s just say that I’ve got some catching up to do. To that […]
Justin Townes Earle – Kids in the Street
To see Justin Townes Earle perform, I’m always amazed by his talent. When he played at the inaugural New England Festy last fall he stepped on stage with no one else and his guitar playing the songs. He didn’t need anyone else. His voice and guitar were spot on. It was as though he’d stepped […]
Phoebe Hunt & the Gatherers – Shanti’s Shadow
Some musicians like to master their genre. Â Some like to push the boundaries of a genre. Â Others thrive by crossing genres. Â You can count Phoebe Hunt in that last category. Â Her musical arc started with the Texas swing and big band-influenced country of The Belleville Outfit, swung across her fiddle and vocal prowess collaborations with […]
Photos that ROCK! Ryan Adams & Jenny Lewis
Ryan Adams & Jenny Lewis Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston MA May 10, 2017 At 34 weeks pregnant, there aren’t many acts that I would have dragged myself off the couch to trek into Boston and photograph these days. Anyone who knows me knows that Ryan Adams is different. This was my 3rd experience photographing […]
Joan Shelley – Self-Titled
When I met Joan Shelley at last year’s Newport Folk Festival, she was just as authentic as her songs. She had a truly insightful take on her own career that matched the sensibility in her songs. He new self-titled album has moved a bit away from the simple approach with guitarist Nathan Salzburg to add […]