Austin Thompson of Chicago quintet The Way Down Wanderers talks about brewing coffee while on the road, their movable rehearsal space and where the most important band work happens.
The Suitcase Junket on Breaking Strings at Inopportune Moments and an Aversion to Budgets
The Suitcase Junket talks about singing his own songs in public for the first time, hotel continental breakfasts and treating his career as a business.
SXSW 2019 – The Sounds, Part 2
BEN KWELLER After a multi-year hiatus from music and, at least on this night, was in a feisty mood. In power trio format, he unleashed a boisterous pop fury. Welcome back, Ben. DEATH BY UNGA BUNGA This was the band that I saw that I saw the most at SXSW, catching three of their six […]
SXSW 2019 – The Sounds, Part 1
BALTO I was sold on Balto as soon as I heard the blistering slide on “Black Snake, Mojave Blues”, the sample track that they shared on their SXSW profile page. Seeing them live provided an exclamation point – I caught two exceptional raucous and greasy outdoor sets in the afternoon sun. The LA-based quartet were […]
Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Dwayne Shivers
There’s something magical about the combination of grand piano and acoustic guitar. It’s a point well made by Atlanta ensemble Dwayne Shivers in this premiere of their song “Southern Breezeâ€. The group came together when singer-songwriter Micah Dalton grew tired of playing the solo artist game. Fast forward a few years and the group has […]
Mary Bragg on Changing the Oil and Being True to Herself
Singer-songwriter Mary Bragg discusses her approach to rehearsals, touring with a French press and why she listens closely to her guitar strings.
Mayer’s Playlist for January/February 2019, Part 2
Jingle and Go, Ryan Bingham (from the Axster Bingham Records release American Love Song) Ryan Bingham stretches out on American Love Song, offering up a roadhouse full of of songs about on love, political commentary and boisterous escapades. Opener “Jingle and Go” kicks things off playfully, recalling Little Feat with its intertwined piano and slide […]
The Way Down Wanderers – Illusions
There’s a fine line between disappointment and disillusionment. Â I think some of it has to do with permanence, but whatever the definition the boys in The Way Down Wanderers do a good job of staying on the fleeting side of pessimism on their latest album, Illusions. Â In general, they accomplish that with upbeat instrumental support, […]
Monday Morning Video – Carter Sampson
There are inevitably a few albums that slip by my radar each year. Carter Sampson’s 2018 release Lucky fits into that category. The album is filled with songs that sit on the cusp of folk and country, often determined solely by the arrangements. She passed through Dallas several weeks ago and treated to two shows, […]
Peter Mulvey on His Annual Bicycle Tour and the Beauty of Discovery
Singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey reflects on a series of glorious fleeting moments and the mullet and twelve-string Gibson that powered his first gig.