I love that this song from Michael McDermott isn’t specifically about New Year’s Day, but rather that any day can be the start of something new. Listening to it on New Year’s Day, however, makes it all the more inspiring. Happy New Year everyone! Let’s make a list and we’ll write it all downEverything we […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2023
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2023.
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall/Winter 2023, Part 1
Toothache, Lydia Loveless (from the Bloodshot Records release Nothing’s Gonna Stand In My Way Again) Relationships are messy and few songwriters capture that fact better than Lydia Loveless. One need look no further than “Song About You”, the confessional ballad that opens their latest album. Against the backdrop that is mostly a lone electric guitar, […]
Monday Morning Video – “Fairytale of New York”
This holiday classic takes on extra meaning this year given the recent passing of songwriter Shane MacGowan. Glen Hasard and Lisa O’Neill led this beautiful performance at MacGowan’s funeral a few weeks ago.
Monday Morning Video – Pete Seeger and Johnny Cash
The legendary Pete Seeger’s name has come up several times over the past few weeks. Seeger, who passed away in 2014, was a cornerstone of folk music for much of his 94 years. He was notable as much for his commitment to humanity as he was for his performances. Seeger was always quick to encourage […]
Monday Morning Video – Shane MacGowan
Last week brought the news that Shane MacGowan, co-founder and singer-songwriter for Ireland’s legendary the Pogues, had passed away. MacGowan’s songs, not to mention his interpretations of other folk songs, were as stirring as his life was complex. Even though he had only performed sporadically over the last decade, the impact of his music has […]
When It’s Twilight in Boston – a Special Twangville Playlist
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. […]
Monday Morning Video – Jeff Black
How about we start the week with one of my favorite songs. Jeff Black, accompanied by Sam Bush on mandolin (with Jon Randall and Dierks Bentley mostly out of view), performing his gem “That’s Just About Right”. I don’t think people’s visions get jadedI think the times change and so does the truthSo in that […]
Kristen Grainger & True North – Fear of Falling Stars
One of the benefits of this writing gig is I get exposed to musicians who have loads of talent, but aren’t well known outside their corner of the world. A great example of that is Oregon-based Kristen Grainger & True North. They just released their latest album, Fear of Falling Stars. Weaving between folk and […]
Monday Morning Video – A Dallas House Show Preview
We’re back with another installment of the Twangville Sunday Social – our bi-annual house concert in Dallas, Texas. The show will take place on Sunday, October 29th at 4pm in the Lower Greenville neighborhood of Dallas. Details and rsvp HERE. And what a line-up we have! First up is Atlanta’s Michelle Malone. While her Southern […]