There’s a long tradition of dark stories, darker personalities, and black-hearted endings in Americana and folk music. They range from the myriad of circumstances highlighted in the plethora of murder ballads to the teary ending of an outlaw motorcycle rider, or a fervent prayer to not have one’s last minutes be in a cheap motel. […]
Jeremie Albino on His Tour Van “Marisol” and Time Spent Working as a Farm Laborer
Singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino talks about the racoons at his rehearsal space, playing weddings and wineries, and his approach to changing broken guitar strings.
Laura Cantrell on the “Reward Reflex” and An Early Songwriting Challenge
Country singer Laura Cantrell talks about her shared rehearsal space and getting advice from Eric Ambel after her first gig.
Alexander Wren – To Whom It May Concern,
Concept albums aren’t a new thing, of course. You may see them less frequently than you used to but they’re still around. Alexander Wren puts a new twist on them, though, with his debut full length album, To Whom It May Concern,. It’s an open letter to the universe: a combination of love letter to […]
Kiss Off – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 7
A few times over the years I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. There have […]
Melissa Ruth on Suburus in Oregon and People in Flowy Clothing
Oregon-based singer-songwriter Melissa Ruth talks about her Honda Fit, bringing water bottles on tour, and the importance of teaching music in public schools.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 2
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) There isn’t a lot of sunshine in Ben de la Cour’s music and Sweet Anhedonia is no exception. Heck, the album is titled after the condition of not being able to experience pleasure. But that’s part of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s magic […]
Tim O’Brien – Cup of Sugar
Heading into June, the heart of festival season, I’ve been thinking about some of the pioneers of the progressive bluegrass movement. Robbie Fulks’ excellent new record contributed to that reminisce, as did the arrival of the latest album from Nashvillian, by way of Colorado and West Virginia, Tim O’Brien. It’s called Cup of Sugar and […]
Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies on The Band’s Rehearsal Space and Working at a Record Store
Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies shares some notable breakdown stories and the band’s first gig.
Vance Gilbert – The Mother of Trouble
When I got the press release for Philadelphia native Vance Gilbert’s upcoming album, The Mother of Trouble, it noted the project contained “4 bullies, 4 deaths (3 of them murders), 3 moms, 2 accidents, 2 Black people, 2 dogs, 1 dog ball, and one missed flight due to gas station sushi.” I mean, who’s not […]