I’m fortunate to be able to explore and enjoy the music scenes of two cities – Boston and Dallas. Artists from both metropolitan areas have released some exceptional music this year. Here are a few favorites. Love it local. LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER (BOSTON YOU’RE MY HOME) LULA WILES, What Will We Do What Will […]
Raymond Watts On The Pillow Fight At His First Gig And Why He Prefers Tour Vans Over Buses
Raymond Watts of
Thomas Turner of Ghostland Observatory Talks About a Big Band Expense and Keeping Things in Perspective
Ghostland Observatory’s Thomas Turner talks about touring in FBI cruisers and why it’s important for musicians to keep things in perspective.
William Ryan Key on Playing in a Band Called “Backwash” and Working Hard to Never Need a Day Job
Former Yellowcard singer-songwriter William Ryan Key compares his previous and current rehearsal spaces and talks about why he works so hard to never have a day job again.
Joachim Cooder – Fuchsia Machu Picchu
Listening to Joachim Cooder’s EP Fuchsia Machu Picchu, it’s easy to see how his famous father Ry Cooder got the atmospheric feel that dominates many of the tracks on The Prodigal Son, released last month. Cooder the Younger, who turns 40 later this summer, has been a drummer, percussionist and keyboardist on his father’s team for many […]
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 […]
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 2
Climb the Ladder, The Rationales (from the self-released Upstream) I’m a sucker for great power pop and have long enjoyed The Rationales, who have consistently been among Boston’s finest practitioners. Their latest release not only continues that trend, it raises the bar a few notches higher. The band’s line-up has evolved over the past few […]
Mink’s Miracle Medicine – Song Premiere
Hailing from Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, Mink’s Miracle Medicine is primarily the brainchild of Melissa Wright and Daniel Zezeski. Melissa approaches music with her background in Americana and formal training from Berklee College of Music, while Daniel comes at things from a punk and ska band experience. Their upcoming album, House Of Candles, has a […]
The Sadies – Northern Passages
I appreciate the sentiment behind the saying, “you can’t go home again” and it’s nod to life not standing still. Sometimes, when you want to take a step back from all the changes, home is just where you want to go, though. Brothers Dallas and Travis Good, and their Sadies bandmates Sean Dean and Mike […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2016
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2016. Midnight MotelJack Ingram Rangers & ValentinesTrapper Schoepp Teens of DenialCar Seat Headrest Burn Something BeautifulAlejandro Escovedo Kicked Out of EdenJavier Escovedo My Way HomeEli ‘Paperboy’ Reed Cold SnapAnthony D’Amato LakesideEric Ambel Eric BachmannEric Bachmann The RevealerJesse Dayton BlindfallerMandolin Orange RockinghamBJ Barham American BandDrive-By […]