The email started innocuously: “Hey, hope all’s well.” It was from a record company publicist suggesting there was a show at my local spot I might want to go see. Dave Alvin’s jam band had a new record out, they’d played a successful first live gig at Hardly Strictly, and they were going to take […]
Clay Parker and Jodi James on The Louvin Brothers, Christmas Songs, and Rolling Dice
Louisiana singer-songwriters Clay Parker and Jodi James talk about the the band’s home on wheels situation and the importance of diversification.
Monday Morning Video – John Prine
The legendary John Prine pays tribute to fellow Chicago songwriter Steve Goodman in this 1997 performance at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” has a unique history, from Prine’s original insistence that his name not be listed on the credits to the final verse that Goodman […]
Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers
Back in 2005 I had the pleasure of seeing a then-13-year-old Sarah Jarosz in cut-offs and black high-tops shredding her mandolin on a couple of bluegrass numbers in the spot she’d earned by winning the previous year’s youth talent contest at Old Settler’s Music Festival. Several of the other acts that year invited her up […]
Dinty Child on Wine, Wifi, and The Flying Circus
Boston singer-songwriter Dinty Child recalls starting a house renovation business, names some of the many bands in which he’s played (The Aluminum Egg Corporation, anyone?), and explains why he feels pretty good and music and life.
The Twangville Early 2024 Preview
Halfsies by Lizzie No (19 Jan) Brooklyn’s Lizzie No showcases the breadth of her talent on her forthcoming album. From folk to rock to pop – there’s a little bit of everything, all with an engaging indie vibe. Letting the Lions In by Dinty Child (19 Jan) Dinty Child is a mainstay of the Boston […]
James Mastro on Owning a Guitar Store and Why Musicians Should Be Loud and Proud
James Mastro talked about avoiding restaurants whose names ends in “’s” and reveals who the best customer is at his Hoboken, NJ guitar store.
“Brilliant Disguise” – a Premiere from Ward Hayden & the Outliers
Now this is a great way to start the year. Ward Hayden, a talented songwriter in his own right, is a true student of the craft. We’ve long known Hayden as a well-studied disciple of Hank Williams, but it turns out there is at least one other musical poet about whom he has a considered […]
“Over the Radio Waves” – A Premiere from Paisley Fields
Songs are about the music, yes, but they are also about the storytelling. Great songs capture characters, both real and imagined, as they navigate life’s trials and tribulations. They paint a picture with an eye for detail, emotion, and meaning. The best ones uncover the core significance of the story to make them broadly relatable. […]
Chip’s Best of 2023
I had the same problem with my year end rankings as always. There were at least 35 albums worthy of the top 25. As you can see that math only works for congressmen and poker hustlers. I focused the top 25 on Americana and Roots music. To have included Indie and Alternative would have been […]