One of the most intense – and wonderful – performances that I saw at SXSW a few weeks back was from Allison Russell. The hour was late and the crowd was thin but Russell, backed by a trio of talented musicians and harmony vocalists, threw herself into the songs as well as sharing the stories […]
The Kentucky Gentlemen on Showing Up and Working Hard
Brandon and Derek Campbell – the Kentucky Gentlemen – talk about the surprise guest at their first gig, the early song that they wrote for their godmother, and the value of good friends.
Monday Morning Video – Dave Alvin, David Hidalgo, and Friends
Dave Alvin, David Hidalgo, and Flaco Jimenez are music institutions. What happens when you bring them together with one another and a group of other talented musicians? You get one heck of a party, as this raucous take on Alvin’s “Marie Marie” demonstrates.
“Sick of This Town” – a Premiere from Michael McDermott
Everyone is from somewhere. The question is how many of us, after leaving, want to go back. It’s a topic that Michael McDermott explores on the forthcoming St. Paul’s Boulevard, and most notably on lead single “Sick of This Town”. “Be careful of the past, don’t let it drag you down, there’s no shame in […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival – Preview
Every year about now I make a pilgrimage to Austin for a few days of listening to music. It’s not for SXSW. Instead I head out to Tilmon, about an hour southeast of town, for Old Settler’s Music Festival. It’s just the right size to where it’s easy to navigate, but there’s still enough of […]
Elliah Heifetz – First Generation American
Listening to, or reading about, someone’s journey of personal discovery can be, well, a slog. The constants tend to be emotionally draining feelings of fear, uncertainty, doubt, hatred, oppression, repression. Uplifting things like that. So imagine my surprise upon discovering Elliah Heifetz’ first full length album, First Generation American, is actually pretty joyful. Heifetz, son […]
Derek Vanderhorst – Wildflower
Come for the headline, stay for the story. That old saying couldn’t be truer as it relates to the new album from Derek Vanderhorst. The headline is that the go-to sound designer and mixer for hundreds of films, including The Eyes of Tammy Faye and No Country For Old Men, was diagnosed with stage 4 […]
Introducing Parker Twomey – A Twangville Premiere
Releasing a new single is always an exciting time for an artist. Releasing the debut single from your debut album, however, is truly a special moment. And Parker Twomey’s moment has arrived. Although he’s only a couple years removed from high school, Twomey is already a seasoned musical veteran. He has spent the past several […]
Embla and the Karidotters’ “Home” – a Twangville Premiere
After 13 years behind the drum kit for Norwegian indie popsters Razika, Embla Karidotter has not only stepped out on her, she’s forging a path in a new musical direction. The forthcoming Hello, I’m Embla hearkens back to the no nonsense country of the 1970’s. “Home”, Karidotter’s latest single, opens with enticing pedal steel and […]
Joshua Rilko on His Collapsible Kettle and the Inspiration for an Early Song He Wrote
Nashville-based Joshua Rilko talks about touring in a shuttle bus that ran on straight veggie oil and winning his high school talent show.