Los Angeles group The Americans craft a sound that is both unique yet familiar. Here’s a fave from Stand True, their most recent album. I love how it is both sparse and raucous, the music setting a gritty foundation for singer Patrick Ferris’ impassioned vocals.
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2023 (So Far), the Songs
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) Amidst an album of dark and sobering ballads, de la Cour proves that he can rock with the best of ‘em. Simple Things, The Band of Heathens (from the BOH Records release Simple Things) Getting by on simple things, letting go […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2023 (So Far), the Albums
Stand in the Joy by William Prince Stand in the Joy is the kind of album that you can get lost in – Prince’s voice and songs are as soothing as they are poignant. Best listened to with your eyes closed. Sweet Anhedonia by Ben de la Cour Sweet Anhedonia is richly textured and darkly […]
Parker Ferrell – Love Runs Through
Spending time early in adulthood to find oneself has become a bit cliche. Frequently it’s code for delaying acceptance of responsibility and purpose. For Tulsa musician Parker Ferrell, though, it cemented his perspective on the importance of love and compassion while remaining rooted in the daily requirements of the present. Those values inspired the songs […]
William Lee Ellis – Ghost Hymns
William Lee Ellis plays roots music in its purest form. An acoustic master named after his godfather, legendary bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe, Ellis plays bluegrass, folk and blues in a straightforward, intimate way. His music is a throwback to the days before computers, before television, even before radio, when music was always live and personal. […]
JD Graham on Exercising Moderation and Working Towards a Goal
Oklahoma singer-songwriter JD Graham talks about playing in a speed metal band and sharing his story of redemption.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring, Part 3
Broken Heart of Mine, William Prince (from the Six Shooter Records release Stand in the Joy) “Is the moon shining bright where you are? Is it even shining at all?,” asks William Prince at the start of the outstanding “When You Miss Someone”, the lead track from his latest album. The song wistfully chronicles the […]
Brennen Leigh on Leaning Vegan and the Mandatory Part of Learning to Write Songs
Country musician Brennan Leigh talks about noshing like a trash panda and saying yes to one’s self.
JD Graham Premiere – Sidewalk Bobby
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.