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 […]
Nate Sipe of Pert Near Sandstone on Good Veggie Burgers and Pure Midwestern Gibberish
Nate Sipe talks about AAA membership, a record-breaking night of broken guitar strings and an uncashed million dollar check.
Garrett Owen – Garrett Owen
Everyone has stories. Some more than others. In the case of Garrett Owen, growing up a missionary’s kid in East Africa, and later South America, he has a bucket load. I think having those stories has a secondary benefit in that you recognize the good ones from other people, too. Garrett has transformed some of […]
Martin Earley of The Ballroom Thieves on Losing His Day Job and the Power of Saying No
The Ballroom Thieves’ Martin Earley talks about his “epically emo†first song and the band’s increasing income… and expenses.
The Dunes of the Cape – A Special Boston Playlist
Her Town Now, Mark Erelli (from the self-released Blindsided) A song of the year nomination at last year’s Americana Music Awards put Mark Erelli on a stage that he has long deserved. Over twelve albums, Erelli has honed his songwriting craft and become one of Americana’s leading, if until recently under-appreciated, songwriters. Blindsided, his latest […]
John Craigie on a Fun College Job and Not Compromising on Performances
John Craigie recalls an early song about dating in college and how he passed the time in Red Bluff, CA when his tour van broke down.
Mark Olson on The Land of Curveballs and Climbing Up Mount Music
Renowned singer-songwriter Mark Olsen talks about the benefits of touring via trains, late night soup, and banter sessions.
Monday Morning Video – Session Americana
As the members of the Twangville posse know firsthand, a Session Americana performance is more than a show, it’s an experience. Case in point: To celebrate the release of last year’s excellent Northeast, the group brought together many of the artists who contributed to the album – a whopping 14 musicians – for a gala […]
Liv Greene – Every Bright Penny
Todd Snider used to say that some of the best advice he got about being a songwriter was to live your life to where you could pack up and be gone in 15 minutes. I don’t think that was so much recommending a vagabond life, but rather that you’re prepared to easily take advantage of […]