Los Angeles-based Calling Cadence have been a pleasant earworm for my this year. The songs on their debut album are acoustic-based but with an inherent funkiness that comes from smooth organ and electric piano and plenty of bass grooves. And then there are the vocals of band leaders Oscar Bugarin and Rae Cole, each strong […]
A Little Boston in Your Attitude – A Special Boston Playlist
Follow, Susan Cattaneo (from the Jersey Girl Music release All Is Quiet) It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that Susan Cattaneo taught songwriting at Berklee School of Music for many years. Her songs are wonderfully crafted, filled with meaning and musical grace. Her latest album may be stripped down in terms of arrangements, […]
Parker Twomey on “Betty White Lightning” and His Hand-Me-Down Guitar
Texas singer-songwriter Parker Twomey talks about letting his guitar strings build character and why it is important to cherish each step of the way.
Monday Morning Video – Emma Swift
Emma Swift and her guitarist passed through NYC last week to perform songs from Swift’s 2020 album Blonde on the Tracks, a collection of songs written by Bob Dylan. It was a wonderful performance as Swift laid bare the tremendous emotion of the featured songs. Here is “Visions of Johanna” and “Just Like a Woman”, […]
The Brothers Comatose – When It All Falls Apart Video Premiere
San Francisco-based band The Brothers Comatose was formed in 2009 by brothers Alex (banjo, vocals) and Ben (guitar, vocals) Morrison and fiddler Philip Brezina. They added Steve Height on bass and Greg Fleischut on mandolin, and started taking the northern California acoustic music world by storm. Walking the line between jam band and progressive bluegrass […]
The Twangville Summer/Fall 2022 Release Preview
All This Life by Parker Twomey (15 July) Parker Twomey’s debut has a freewheeling and airy vibe, not to mention a maturity that belies his age. Lava Lamp by Jonah Tolchin (15 July) Tolchin steps away from his more restrained and often acoustic-based previous work to serve up one heck of a rock album. Nation […]
Suzie Brown on Her Two Guitar Garage and Making Art For Art’s Sake
Singer-songwriter Suzie Brown talks about an epic sledding day, her day job, and why music is vulnerable work.
We Banjo 3 on Their On-Stage Ninja and Touring Folk Festivals
Irish Quartet We Banjo 3 talk about their pre-band day jobs and how they fuel their collective creative brain.
Monday Morning Video – Joan Armatrading
Stumbled down the Joan Armatrading rabbit hole this weekend. So much goodness, including these two faves. First, back to the late 1970’s for the uber-funky “Show Some Emotion” and then the wonderful “Love and Affection” from Glastonbury back in 2008.
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2022 (So Far), the Songs
Meant to Be, BER & Charlie Oriain (from the self-released And I’m Still Thinking About That) A wonderful discovery at this year’s SXSW… and one of my favorite songs so far this year. But I think you’re the one for someone else And that shit’s hard to say It’s okay, you feel the same and I can […]