(This Ain’t) An Original Sin, Will Hoge (from the EDLO Records release Anchors) Nashville-based singer-songwriter Will Hoge possesses the twin powers of lyric and melody, a talent that is finely displayed on Anchors. From a lyrical perspective, the album overflows with yearning, disappointment and self-reflection. “You can try to fight the truth, but time will […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2017, Part 2
No Heart Left Behind, Hannah Aldridge (from the Rootsy Music release Gold Rush) “I take my heartache with a little bit of ice,” announces Muscle Shoals-raised Hannah Aldridge on “Burning Down Birmingham,” one of several stand-outs from her latest release. Electric guitars lead the charge, sometimes chugging with an insistent stoicism and other times unleashing […]
Monday Morning Video – Justin Currie
Justin Currie continues to quietly — really too quietly — put out exceptional albums. He could teach a masterclass in how to write a song with blunt honesty and emotional punch. Here is a favorite from This Is My Kingdom Now, released earlier this year.
Monday Morning Video: Todd Thibaud
I spend so much time listening to new music that it’s easy to forget about the classics and old favorites, so I love it when a casual conversation sends me back into the archives. Boston’s Todd Thibaud has one of the most consistent — and consistently good — catalogs of any in my music collection. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2017, Part 1
Don’t Tell Me to Smile, The Mastersons (from the Red House Records release Transient Lullaby) The husband and wife team of Chris Masterson and Bonnie Whitmore continue to refine their sound on the glorious Transient Lullaby. The duo thoughtfully explore the foibles of contemporary relationships with a studied blend of thoughtfulness and realism. The arrangements […]
Mark Olson and Ingunn Ringvold – Spokeswoman of the Bright Sun
Success, as pretty much everyone has realized, gives one some freedom that can’t otherwise be earned. Â Some use that freedom to advance an agenda, whereas others look to self-improvement and creativity as the opportunity. Â Mark Olson, founder of pioneering Americana group The Jayhawks, chose the latter path along with his wife and musical partner Ingunn […]
Monday Morning Video – Kasey Chambers
Songs, let alone performances, don’t get much more powerful than this. “Ain’t No Little Girl” is from Dragonfly, Chambers’ latest release.
The Lil Smokies – Changing Shades
One of the things I’ve observed over the years is how the best musicians put so much more into a song than just the words and notes. Â A poignant pause, a percussive tap, a note played just off the beat, they contribute to a texture and ambiance that are nearly impossible to describe. Â You just […]
Monday Morning Video – Will Hoge
Will Hoge recently celebrated the release of Anchors, his 9th studio album. In the video below, he talks about the burn-out that preceded it and how watching his kids, ages 6 and 9, form a band rekindled his musical spirit. Great news for the rest of us, as it is a fine addition to the […]
Contending with The Contenders – A Twangville Premiere
I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if we’d ever get new music from The Contenders. The duo of Jay Nash and Josh Day introduced themselves with 2014’s outstanding Meet the Contenders ep, played some shows and then… nothing. Music is, in fact, a business and Nash and Day spent the time apart focused on other […]