Bulletproof Man, The Bluest Sky (from the self-released The Bluest Sky) Chuck Melchin first appeared on our radar a number of years ago as the Bean Picker’s Union. Essentially a solo artist surrounding himself with a loose collective of acoustic players, he wrote songs that oozed melancholy and were tied to quiet and captivating melodies. […]
Now That’s What I Call Cold Chocolate – A Twangville Premiere
When I first encountered Boston’s Cold Chocolate back in the day, they were exploring a traditional bluegrass sound. Well time passes and artists evolve. Today their music is best described as garage folk, intelligent singer-songwriter fare that is scruffy in the best possible way. Like many an artist, they found themselves with some time on […]
Song Premiere: Colin Cutler “Parker’s Back”
Today we at Twangville have the pleasure of bringing you a song premier. The song is “Parker’s Back” from North Carolina based Singer-Songwriter Colin Cutler. Fans of Flannery O’Connor might recognize the title, and that is no coincidence. It is from his upcoming album “Tarwater”, which will be released on November 3rd. For those who […]
Merchant Navy Hotel – a Premiere from The Northern Belle
The Northern Belle, an anchor of Norway’s Americana music scene, are gearing up to release a new album in 2024. Fortunately we don’t have to wait until next year to be treated to new music from the group. “Merchant Navy Hotel”, the first single from the album arrives later this week but you can hear […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2023
Alameda, Anna Rose (from the White Pony/Electric Child Music release Last Girl of the Rodeo) Anna Rose doesn’t pull any punches – lyrically or musically – on Last Girl of the Rodeo. The LP cycles through the collapse of a relationship, bleeding raw emotion as it does. The deeply brooding “Whatever Gets You Through the […]
Taken For a Ride – a Premiere from Nathan Mongol Wells
Our introduction to Dallas musician Nathan Mongol Wells came via his rock band Ottoman Turks. Their 2019 debut delivered some fun cowpunk and their 2021 follow-up rocked with a harder edge. His forthcoming solo debut, however, showcases his gentler side. Among the better examples is the ballad “Taken for a Ride”. A pedal steel gives […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2023
Tumbleweed, Jeremie Albino (from the Good People Record Co. release Tears You Hide) While Jeremie Albino may tease with 30 seconds of old-time pickin’ on album opener “Dance With Me”, he very quickly brings out the good time – and rowdy – fun that defines Tears You Hide. “Angeline”, the first full track, finds the […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2023 (So Far), the Songs
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) Amidst an album of dark and sobering ballads, de la Cour proves that he can rock with the best of ‘em. Simple Things, The Band of Heathens (from the BOH Records release Simple Things) Getting by on simple things, letting go […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring, Part 3
Broken Heart of Mine, William Prince (from the Six Shooter Records release Stand in the Joy) “Is the moon shining bright where you are? Is it even shining at all?,” asks William Prince at the start of the outstanding “When You Miss Someone”, the lead track from his latest album. The song wistfully chronicles the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 2
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) There isn’t a lot of sunshine in Ben de la Cour’s music and Sweet Anhedonia is no exception. Heck, the album is titled after the condition of not being able to experience pleasure. But that’s part of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s magic […]