Interview and performance footage of The Band of Heathens. BAND OF HEATHENS, self-titled (self)Official Site | MySpace | Stream | MP3* [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2008/mp3/The_Band_of_Heathens-Jackson_Station.mp3] A SXSW favorite for the past two years, Band of Heathens release their own brand of Lonestar State countrified rock and soul. Formed as a result of a regular shared billing at Austin’s […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: On a Clear Night, by Missy Higgins The first thing that you’ll notice about Australia’s Missy Higgins is her stunning voice, a magical blend of confidence and uneasiness. Opening track “Where I Stood” epitomizes this dichotomy. The song captures the moment where a woman realizes that, despite her emotional attachment to […]
Griffin House + More, Releases 4/29
“Live To Be Free” from new album ‘Flying Upside Down’ GRIFFIN HOUSE, Flying Upside Down (Nettwerk) Official Site | MySpace | Stream Out of Ohio comes Nashville-based singer-songwriter Griffin House with his latest record titled ‘Flying Upside Down’ available on Nettwerk Records. House draws well-warranted comparisons to Ryan Adams (in a good way) as well […]
The Weepies + More, Releases 4/22
“World Spins Madly On” from previous album ‘Say I Am You’ THE WEEPIES, Hideaway (Nettwerk) Official Site | MySpace | Stream | Free Download* They make sweet, sweet music… and babies… or at least one baby. Both parthers in music and in life the duo of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen released another Weepies album […]
James McMurtry + More, Releases 4/15
JAMES MCMURTRY, Just Us Kids (Lightning Rod) Official Site | MySpace | Preview | MP3* [audio:http://audio.sxsw.com/2008/mp3/James_McMurtry-Cheney%27s_Toy.mp3] I never really understood the James McMurtry hype until I saw him live for the first time prior to the start of this year’s SXSW music festival. Outfitted with SIX guitars on this night at Austin’s Momo’s his weapon […]
SXSW 2008 – John’s Friday Night Highlight: Lucero
Friday night followed my unintentional afternoon trend of mixing old favorites with new sounds. My preference at South-by is to see almost entirely new-to-me bands, especially during official showcases, but there were just too many favorites to stick to my guns on a day like this. Sue me. In that respect, Friday night truly provided […]
SXSW 2008 – John’s Thursday Night Highlight: Jens Lekman
The highlight of my Thursday night occurred straight out of the gate in the 8 o’clock showcase time slot, but it was hardly all downhill from there, as a “bonus highlight” also awaited me during the witching hour. I’ve had a few tracks by the Swedish singer-songwriter, Jens Lekman, for a couple of years now. […]
SXSW 2008 – John’s Wednesday Night Highlight: The Playing Favorites
SXSW 2008 – John’s Wednesday Night Highlight: The Playing Favorites My third showcase of the night on Wednesday was when I struck gold for the first time “officially†this year, and I knew it almost as soon as the Playing Favorites began their set. The Playing Favorites are a supergroup of sorts, featuring members of […]
Jackie Greene + More, Releases 4/1/08
JACKIE GREENE, Giving Up The Ghost (429) Official Site | MySpace | eCard ‘Giving Up The Ghost’, the fourth release from San Francisco based Jackie Greene shows a steady maturation of one of the biggest up and comers in American music. Reminiscent of Dylan, the Stones, and to a lesser extent Springsteen, Greene is keeping […]
Matthew Ryan Vs the Silver State
Singer-songwriter Matthew Ryan has built a career delving the depths of human emotion. Whether tackling the state of American society (“American Dirt”) or probing his personal relationships (“I Only Want to Be the Man You Want”) his emotional honesty is striking among contemporary songwriters. Ryan’s new album Matthew Ryan Vs the Silver State is scheduled […]