I’ve been continuing to dig into some of my favorites from years gone by. I stumbled across Oxford, UK’s The Dreaming Spires at the Americana Music Association festival in Nashville back in 2015. “Searching for the Supertruth”, the title track from their 2015 release, captures the beauty of their music. As the song demonstrates, the […]
Natalie Padilla – Fireweed
I’m convinced the hardest thing to do as a producer is to extract the maximum essence of a musician in a recording session and not allow production sparkle to gloss over the natural talent. Ben Winship produced (he just released a recording of his own, Toolshed, that I recommend) the new album from Natalie Padilla, […]
Monday Morning Video – Lula Wiles
Folk trio Lula Wiles put out an exceptional album earlier this year. What Will We Do, their sophomore release, showcases for the breadth of their songwriting. In true folk fashion they shift effortlessly from pointed social commentary to candid personal reflection, surrounding catchy melodies with stellar musicianship and harmonies. Here are three favorites from the […]
Ana Egge on Fresh Guitar Strings and Cashing a Million Dollar Check
Singer-songwriter Ana Egge talks about the first song that she wrote and sage advice from Lucinda Williams and Iris DeMent.
Matt the Electrician on Drama-Free Touring, Breakfast Foods and Jet Packs
Matt the Electrician talks about “Jesse’s Girl”, “Rocky Raccoon” and writing his first song as an assignment for Mr. Loomis’s high school English class.
Bonus Monday Video – Remembering Neal Casal and Donnie Fritts
Last week was another tough one in the music world with the passing of both Donnie Fritts and Neal Casal. Fritts Fritz was the longtime keyboardist for Kris Kristofferson and a renowned Alabama songwriter while Casal was the guitarist in groups ranging from the Chris Robinson Brotherhood to Ryan Adams & the Cardinals to the […]
David Wax Museum on the Economics of Touring and Life as Creative Entrepreneurs
David Wax Museum talk about “El Burro Blanco”, their quirky tour van, share a recipe for road salad and explain why their rehearsals are often disrupted.
Jody Stephens and Luther Russell Talk Those Pretty Wrongs, Big Star and Life in a “Grassroots” Enterprise
Luther Russell and Jody Stephens of Those Pretty Wrongs share stories about their tour strategies, varied rehearsal studio experiences and songs written together and alone.
Monday Morning Video – Vincent Neil Emerson
Country singer Vincent Neil Emerson’s debut was a long time in the making. For several years the East Texas native has been honing his craft the old school way, playing honky-tonks across Texas and beyond. One can hear the miles, not to mention the honky-tonk dance floor dust, pulsing through the songs that make up […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2019, Part 2
Have You Seen My Girl, Todd May (from the self-released Let’s Go Get Lost) There are certain albums that were meant to be heard on vinyl. While the latest from Todd May isn’t available in that format, one can hear both its inherent warmth and insistent crackle in every song – even when streamed or […]