Singer-songwriter Peter Himmelman talks about the tortoise and the duck in his rehearsal space and recalls the lesson that he learned at his first gig.
Samantha Crain on Five Iron Frenzy and The Worth of Work
Samantha Crain recalls the drum machine that accompanied her on her first gig and the time that someone put pepper in the tour van radiator.
Monday Morning Video – On the Road Again
Another day, another week, another month without live music to sustain us. The Willie Nelson classic has never been as relevant as it is today. Here’s Billy Strings performing “On the Road Again” just last year and Willie, along with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, closing out a show with it back in […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2020 (So Far), the Songs
No Time for Love Songs, The Mastersons (from the Red House Records release No Time for Love Songs) I love you so much but it’s no time for love songs We’re starting to unravel at the seams Maybe I care too much and this world is hard enough How come everybody’s gotta be so mean? […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2020 (So Far), the Albums
Self Made Man by Larkin Poe Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell take no prisoners on this sonic rock and blues explosion. Self Made Man is a brilliant combination of fierce guitars, impassioned vocals, and rousing anthems. Key Tracks: She’s a Self Made Man, Holy Ghost Fire, Keep Diggin’, Back Down South, Tears of Blue to […]
Monday Morning Video – Todd Thibaud “4th of July”
Todd Thibaud’s “4th of July†isn’t about the holiday but it does capture an appropriate holiday sentiment, especially this year. As turbulent times swirl around us, sometimes it’s nice to find moments of peacefulness and contentment in our lives. There’s a guy on my street, he moves to the beat of a song And he […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2020, Part 4
She’s a Self-Made Man, Larkin Poe (from Tricki-Woo Records Self Made Man) Rebecca & Megan Lovell pull no punches on their latest release. Self Made Man, their follow-up to 2018’s Grammy nominated Venom & Faith is a bruising rock album pure and simple. The sisters are old souls possessed by the spirit of the legendary […]
John McCutcheon on $400 Days and the True Definition of Success
Prolific folk singer John McCutcheon talks about the dustbin of his writing archive and recalls playing a union gig when he was a teenager
Monday Morning Video – Chris Knight
I’ve lately been drawn to great stories in song. Chris Knight is one of our leading practitioners with a catalog filled with colorful characters coping with life’s hardships. His attention to detail, both situational and emotional, brings the stories to life with a vividness that raw and captivating. Knight took to the woods of his […]
Kristen Grainger & True North – Ghost Tattoo
As a writer, I suppose it’s natural for me to have a soft spot for well-written lyrics. I was gobsmacked, though, at some of the turns of phrase on the latest record from Oregonian Kristen Grainger. For instance, “outside the traffic clattered, like a sky full of geese drawing fire.” Does that draw you a […]