There are a thousand examples of country music artists who didn’t grow up anywhere near anything “country”. That doesn’t make them any less good at their craft. Occasionally though, you hear someone whose weary optimism reflects a lifetime of making do in rural America. That’s the case with Austinite Jonathan Terrell on his upcoming EP, […]
Rachel Sumner on Her Band’s “Wellness Wizard” and The Importance of Having Quality Live Videos
Singer-songwriter Rachel Sumner talks about her band’s sweet customized tour vehicle and Kiki the love bird, who occasionally sings along during band rehearsals.
Sarah Vos of Dead Horses on Tour Vehicles in Covid Times and Being DIY
Sarah Vos from Milwaukee duo Dead Horses talks about their supportive fan base and recalls the various rehearsal spaces that they have used.
Shemekia Copeland Is All About the Blues
Even when Shemekia Copeland was a student at Teaneck High School in New Jersey, she was already committed to the blues. Born into Blues royalty (her father was blues guitarist Johnny Copeland), Copeland has become perhaps the most prominent woman performing blues and roots music today. “It was always going to be the blues,” she […]
Mariel Buckley on Pre-Tour Food Shopping and Steadily Improving Profit Margins
Canadian singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley talks about her ‘08 Dodge Grand Caravan, shitty gas station decisions, and working as a cook.
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022
Clean Getaway, Caroline Spence (from the Rounder Records release True North) Caroline Spence looks at relationships from a myriad of perspectives on her wonderous new True North. “Blue Sky Rain” and “Clean Getaway” focus on their failure with a thoughtful clarity. “You never see it coming, only see it pass,” she sings on “Blue Sky […]
Newport Folk 2022 – the Twangville Recap
The fog seemed to foreshadow Joni Mitchell as it rolled in, surrounding the peninsula housing the War of 1812-era Fort Adams that makes up the venue of the Newport Folk Festival, after a weekend of intense sun and heat. There had been whispers all weekend about special guests; rumors of Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Jimmy […]
Brittany Collins – Things I Tell My Therapist
While out hiking in the woods in her native Pacific Northwest, Brittany Collins started composing a tune telling someone how she was coming to terms with a childhood best left behind. She was determined to forge her own path and not be defined by her family. On further reflection it became obvious that little ditty […]
Caroline Spence on Her “Sweet Old Ride” and Achieving Career Goals
Singer-songwriter Caroline Spence talks about her home writing space, recordings of songs she wrote when she was six, and unlearning things learned early in her career.
Three Summer Gems
A lot of good music is coming out this summer. A number of the releases are shorter records or EPs. That sometimes makes it hard to write a full-length review. In no way does that mean you shouldn’t check them out. Three of my favorites are Nick Pagliari, The Early Mays, and Juliana Nash. Nick […]