I recently caught New York-based folk singer D.B Rielly as part of a tour celebrating the 2019 winners of the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition. That event, part of the famed Kerrville Folk Festival, identifies noteworthy emerging songwriters. All the performers that night – Rielly, Scott Mulvahill, Daniel Neihoff and Boston’s Lisa Bastoni* – […]
The House Of Songs
The creative process of writing good music has been compared to catching lightning in a bottle. The implication is that it’s random good luck. Yet time and time again you hear of artists who have a process they follow and a string of great songs that came out of it. Similarly, musicians frequently get together […]
Reverend Peyton on Being Robbed, Eating Right, and Playing Live
Reverend Peyton hints at his secret way of stringing guitars and talks about life on the road.
Jason Hawk Harris on The Atkins Diet and Staying Anchored to the Music
Singer-guitarist-songwriter Jason Hawk Harris recalls an elementary school gig, selling truck tires and the last time that he broke a guitar string.
Monday Morning Video – Chip Robinson
Calling Chip Robinson criminally under-rated doesn’t quite do him justice. Those who know – especially his fellow Americana musicians – know damn well how impressive his songs truly are. The Backsliders singer-songwriter doesn’t stray to far from his North Carolina home these days, truly a shame for those who have yet to have a Robinson […]
Hold That Against Me: A Premiere from John Byrne
Since his debut release in 2011, Irish-born and Philadelphia-based John Byrne has walked the line between the sounds of his homeland and the folk-rock side of Americana. A storyteller at heart, he tells his tales accompanied by a band that includes both strings and horns. What’s not to like about that? He’s also doesn’t shy […]
Scott Walker – The Rock House Project
Back in the day I had the (mis)fortune of having to make many long drives across various parts of the south central U.S. This was before satellite radio or iPods and rental cars didn’t have tape decks. So you listened to the radio; mostly country music, and in more than a few of those DJ’s […]
You, The Dog and Johnny Cash: A Premiere from Goodnight Texas
It’s always a treat when a favorite artist surprises you with new music. All the better if it’s for a good cause, but more on that in a bit. Goodnight, Texas, the group anchored by songwriters Avi Vinocur and Patrick Dyer Wolf, follow up the July release of The Senseless Age with a rollicking new […]
Old Salt Union On A Duct Taped Tour RV and On-Stage String Explosions
Jesse Farrar of bluegrass outfit Old Salt Union talks about the group’s less than ideal tour diet and some of the unique day jobs that band members did before pursuing music full-time.
Malin Pettersen on Her Side Career and Touring Without a Driver’s License
Norwegian singer-songwriter Malin Pettersen recalls the first time that she broke a guitar string and talks about the virtues of public transportation in Norway.