It is hard to describe songs that leave you speechless. The breathtaking tracks on “American Kid†mesmerize from beginning to end. This is Patty Griffin’s first album of original material in six years. Since then she has recorded an album of Gospel songs and hymns, “Downtown Churchâ€, and toured with Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2013, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Other Life, by Shooter Jennings I’ll admit that I haven’t spent much time with Shooter’s previous releases. No real explanation, his music just never made it into my rotation. My bad. His latest is one of the most refreshing country records that I’ve heard in quite some time. Shooter and […]
Monday Morning Video: Reader’s Picks, Part 2
Here is part two of our Reader’s Pick series, the up-and-coming artists that you told us about as part of our Joe Pug give-away. This week’s video playlist includes: Communist Daughter Rayland Baxter Ryan Bonner Drew Holcomb Cat Beach Gaslight Anthem
Mayer’s Playlist for March/April 2013, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH The Beast In Its Tracks, by Josh Ritter It’s easy to be angry after a break-up. You want to grab a bottle of whisky and crank some classic angry Bob Mould songs (Black Sheets of Rain, anyone?). I suppose that Josh Ritter had a few of those moments when his marriage […]
Monday Morning Video: Reader’s Picks, Part 1
Last month we asked you to tell us about your favorite up-and-coming artists. Well, you didn’t disappoint, sharing an impressive array of artists. For the next two weeks, we will highlight the bands that you told us were the ones that we should be watching, er, listening to, in the years to come. This week’s […]
Monday Morning Video: SXSW 2013 Highlights, Part 1
This week and next week I’ll be featuring some videos from SXSW. We’ll start with a mostly acoustic set, featuring: Steve Earle performing “Someday” The Waterboys performing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” Billy Bragg performing “Handyman Blues” Chuck Ragan and friends performing “Revival Road” Frank Turner covering Blink 182’s “Dammit” Josh Ritter and Emmylou Harris […]
SXSW 2013: The Sounds, Part 2
The True Believers Austin’s The True Believers were high on, if not at the top of, my list of bands to see at SXSW. Nearly thirty years ago they established a reputation as a powerhouse rock and roll band. Given that I wasn’t attending many rock shows thirty years ago so I was downright giddy […]
SXSW 2013: The Sounds, Part 1
Patty Griffin One listen to a Patty Griffin song and you’ll understand why she has developed an almost cultish following. She is, quite simply, an extraordinary songwriter. New West Records, her new record label, arranged a private showcase at a South Austin mansion called the Castle to celebrate her forthcoming release. It was an event […]
Monday Morning Video: Couch By Couchwest
Some travel to see bands, others let the bands come to them. So while SXSW brought thousands to Austin, the annual Couch Couch By Couchwest brought the music to you. The annual online festival invites artists, most of whom are not attending SXSW, to submit videos of themselves performing songs. Artists have fun with it, […]
Win Big: A Joe Pug Signed Vinyl Give-Away
One of the best parts of Twangville is discovering an artist early in their career. It is incredibly satisfying watching said performer build an audience and grow as an artist. In that light, it was great to see Joe Pug when he passed through Boston a few weeks ago. From his early days as an […]