Back from the 2017 Folk Alliance International conference and nearly caught up on sleep (more on that later), let’s start coverage with a look at the overall event. Â Not surprisingly, there are seminars on the music business, musical performances, and an awards show. Â There are also a lot of things catering to the musicians themselves, […]
Romantica – Shadowlands
It has been seven years since we heard from Romantica. Of course we have heard from front man Ben Kyle in the meantime. He has done two acclaimed albums. One was a duet with Carrie Rodriguez and the other was a solo project. The wait for new material from Romantica was well worth it. The […]
Girls Guns and Glory at the Sinclair
Girls Guns and Glory at The Sinclair Cambridge, MA; January 14, 2017 To see Ward Hayden come out on the stage at the Sinclair, you’d have no idea that he was from Scituate, Massachusetts. His new record, with his face on it, implies a more introspective view of the music. And Hayden’s entrance in a […]
Readers’ Pick: Mockingbird Soul by Brigitte DeMeyer and Will Kimbrough
You picked “Mockingbird Soul” from new folk duo, BRIGITTE DEMEYER AND WILL KIMBROUGH, as your favorite new release for the week of January 27, 2016. Poll Results 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 Winter 2017 […]
John Mayall – Talk About That
In the 1970s, John Mayall, O.B.E., was, along with Bob Dylan, John Prine, David Bromberg, Loudon Wainwright III, Shawn Phillips and Jerry Jeff Walker, one of my musical heroes.  Now at 83 and still touring and recording albums, Mayall is an inspiration. Mayall, often called the “Godfather of British Blues,†is so much more than […]
Susto/& I’m Fine Today
“If it’s in a Susto song, then it really happened†says lead singer/songwriter Justin Osborne during our recent chat about the band’s new record & I’m Fine Today. “I mean, unless it’s something like our Jesus Christ beach song.†Although, I guess they could be hanging with Jesus, or some other entity with songs such […]
Cary Morin – Cradle to the Grave
Acoustic, country blues is one of the purest forms of Americana music.  It also may be the most difficult to master.  To capture the sound and spirit of a Robert Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt or Lightnin’ Hopkins takes tremendous musicianship and a feel for the music that few artists possess. But Cary Morin, a Crow tribal […]
Readers’ Pick: 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory by Dropkick Murphys
It wasn’t much of a contest, but it’s early in the year. DROPKICK MURPHYS, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory runs unopposed and is your favorite for the week of January 6, 2016. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please […]
The Sadies – Northern Passages
I appreciate the sentiment behind the saying, “you can’t go home again” and it’s nod to life not standing still. Â Sometimes, when you want to take a step back from all the changes, home is just where you want to go, though. Â Brothers Dallas and Travis Good, and their Sadies bandmates Sean Dean and Mike […]
The Twangville 2017 Release Preview
If the albums scheduled for release over the next few months are any indication, we’re in for a fine year of music. Here are just a few forthcoming long-players that we’re highly anticipating. MOUNT RENRAW by OTIS GIBBS (13 January on Wanamaker Recording Company) Otis Gibbs is one of the most thoughtful songwriters in Americana, […]