James McMurty may not be the most prolific songwriter – he’s released two albums in the past 11 years – but he sure is consistent. His catalog is rock solid, a songwriter’s songwriter who tells brilliant character-driven stories that accompany well-crafted melodies. And don’t forget that he is one heck of a guitar player – […]
Everett Wren – Porchlight
Surfing the satellite TV currents the other day I briefly landed on a food show about making the Mexican treasure, mole sauce. About the only thing in common the virtually infinite versions have is they all use a boatload of different spices that come together forming a flavor unique to every family. I realized mole […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022, Part 2
Westcoast Rain, Jesper Lindell (from the Rootsy Music release Twilights) I’ll say it up front – Jesper Lindell’s latest plays like a long lost album by The Band. It’s more – much more – than the fact that he covers that group’s wonderful “Twilight” or that Amy Helm makes a guest appearance on the album. […]
Mike Stevens – Breathe In the World, Breathe Out Music
At the next Twangville town council meeting I’m making a motion to adopt “Municipal Harp Day” in honor of the best new recordings by blues and roots harmonica players. Along with Charlie Musselwhite’s new release, Canadian harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens in May released his remarkable Breathe in the World, Breathe Out Music. Stevens has been […]
Monday Morning Video – Dallas House Show Preview
In Dallas-Ft. Worth? Can you get to Dallas-Ft. Worth? If so, come join Twangville next Sunday as we host a backyard concert with a few stellar artists – Alex Wong from Nashville, TN, Wood Willow from Oklahoma City, OK, and DFW’s own Brandon Callies. Here’s a preview playlist that highlights songs from each artist’s latest […]
Bob Marston & the Credible Sources – So Long
Every city has one or two: local bands that are the go-to choice for a weekend party. Bob Marston got an appreciation for being that band when he was asked to re-open one of Birmingham’s clubs after the Covid shutdown. With time for introspection again a few months later when he went through his own […]
“The Sun” – a Premiere from Beth // James
It seems like there is a tremendous amount of pain and suffering in the world these days. In times like these, music can offer a welcome salve. The latest single from Austin’s Beth // James – the husband/wife duo of Mikaela Beth and Jordan James Burchill – provides such a musical moment. “The Sun” starts […]
Wesley Dean on Meeting Locals and Walking Many Roads
Nashville by way of Adelaide, Australia singer-songwriter Wesley Dean talks about taking a break from music, being patient, and carving his own way.
Monday Morning Video – The HawtThorns
Nashville’s The HawtThorns passed through NYC a few weeks ago to promote Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars, their latest release. The collection is a wonderful blend of roots and soul that is centered around KP Hawthorn’s powerful voice and Johnny Hawthorn’s magical guitar. Here’s “Let’s Get Together”, a fave from the album, performed live in […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022
Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions) Oklahoma’s Wood Willow – the duo of Becca Herrod and Joel Parks – introduce themselves in fine fashion with Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions). Their debut’s ten tracks shift effortlessly between between sweet (“You’ve Got Me”, “Birds”) and brooding (“On With the […]