Spending time early in adulthood to find oneself has become a bit cliche. Frequently it’s code for delaying acceptance of responsibility and purpose. For Tulsa musician Parker Ferrell, though, it cemented his perspective on the importance of love and compassion while remaining rooted in the daily requirements of the present. Those values inspired the songs […]
JD Graham on Exercising Moderation and Working Towards a Goal
Oklahoma singer-songwriter JD Graham talks about playing in a speed metal band and sharing his story of redemption.
Monday Morning Video – James Maddock and the Waterboys
Here’s a fun one to start the week. Back in 2012, New York-based James Maddock was joined by Mike Scott and Steve Wickham of The Waterboys for a rollicking – and epic – version of that band’s “Fisherman’s Blues”.
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 […]
Brennen Leigh on Leaning Vegan and the Mandatory Part of Learning to Write Songs
Country musician Brennan Leigh talks about noshing like a trash panda and saying yes to one’s self.
Tim O’Brien on Choosing B Flat and Getting Paid With a Beer Mug
Bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien talks about his “day job” and shares some age advice for touring and playing.
Monday Morning Video – Jesse Malin
If you’ve ever seen Jesse Malin live, you know what a dynamic performer he is. Bounding around the stage, into the audience, up on the bar – he takes over the room. Which makes his recent health situation all the more tragic. Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke that has left him paralyzed from the […]
Meris Gantt – Forced Revival
There’s a fine line between being in a rut and addiction. Sometimes you think it’s the former and in your attempt to get out you realize there’s more to it. That’s the position North Carolinian folk singer-songwriter Meris Gantt found herself in. A two-year journey to shape her new life became the basis for her […]
Kiss Off – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 7
A few times over the years I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. There have […]
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 […]