The previous two Son Volt albums explored leader Jay Farrar’s musical groundings in country and blues with Honky Tonk and Notes Of Blue respectively. Â On his latest record, Farrar and his bandmates are showing some of their folk roots. Â That’s not to say Union is a folk record: far from it, this is a return […]
Ryan Bingham on Working at Disney World Paris and the Key to More Rewarding Live Shows
Ryan Bingham talks about finding apples at truck stops, rolling his tour van off the side of a mountain in Montana and early gigs playing for tips and beer.
Ray Benson on the Day Job He’s Had for 49 Years and an Eclectic First Gig
Steve Poltz Shares a Dirty Little Secret and Explains What “Eff” Means
Steve Poltz, troubadour, talks about being an opportunivore, touring like a millennial and why goats don’t play guitar.
Roses And Cigarettes – Echoes And Silence
One of the threads that bind us here in Twangville is love for a soaring vocal, screaming guitar, driving rhythm, rock and roll song. Â Not the over-produced kind you get in some arena show, but one that has roots in a dimly lit bar in Memphis or Austin or Muscle Shoals. Â My latest find along […]
Joey McGee – El Camino Real
Although he wrote the rest of the songs on his new album, El Camino Real, the one that most epitomizes the record is a cover of Susanna & Guy Clark’s The Cape. Â Clark told the story, in his homespun way, of one of the crazy characters that inhabited his world. Â McGee adds an electric guitar […]
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 […]
Hayes Carll Recalls a Memorable First Gig and the Time His AAA Card Was Revoked
Hayes Carll discusses the problem with guitar strings being sold in sets and shares the lyrics to one of the first songs that he wrote.
Trapper Schoepp on Getting Creative With His Merch and A Tour Van Called “Dick Van Dyke”
Milwaukee singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp shares a tip for touring and talks about celebrating Christmas with sad bastard songs.