Nashville-based duo Ida Mae talks about a memorable “disco load outâ€, musician day job cliches, and touring in vans, trucks, and sedans.
Paul Givant of The Contraptionists on Pepsi, Fred Meyers, and the Band’s LA Industrial Loft
The Contraptionists’ Paul Givant talks about an early slacker day job and touring in a converted airport shuttle bus (and the associated breakdown stories).
Monday Morning Video – Ben de la Cour
Ben de la Cour’s 2020 album Shadowland overflowed with stark tales and flawed characters, none the more so than “Anderson’s Small Ritual”. De la Cour has just announced a planned follow-up, no doubt as dark – and wonderful – as the last. Learn more about the album here.
Megan Palmer on Avoiding “Hangry” and Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Megan Palmer talks about tacos, working as a nurse, and breaking even.
Todd Snider on Busking, Ruminating, and Dip Shit Open Mic Talk
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider talks about the lower middle of the folk circuit, a tour bus fire, and Hayes Carll.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2021, Part 2
The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram (from the Vanner Records/RCA Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) Lambert, Randall, and Ingram. Kind of sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it? In this case it’s a trio of songwriters who have just released some intimate recordings from their writing retreats in Marfa, […]
Pine Hill Haints – The Song Companion of a Lonestar Cowboy
When you have been traversing your region of the country as a band of troubadours for over twenty years you can’t be called an overnight success. However, they have been successful none the less. Now finally the band as delivered an album that should be their breakout to a wider audience. On the new album […]
Monday Morning Video – Goodnight, Texas “Dearest Sarah”
Back in 2014, Goodnight, Texas released the album Uncle John Farquhar, a series of stories set in the Civil War era. Among them was a song based on a letter that soldier Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife Sarah shortly before his death at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861. Sarah my love for […]
Korby Lenker – Man In the Maroon
Many, many years ago I was gifted a high-end chocolate sampler that ranged from toothachingly sweet, milk chocolate to a bitter, floral 90% sample. It opened my eyes to how wide an experience chocolate could deliver. I had that same observation with Korby Lenker’s new album, Man In the Maroon. Yes, it’s all roots, folkie […]
Desert Hollow on Milkshakes, Farmers Markets, and Being Tiny Space Dwellers
Acoustic duo Desert Hollow talk about touring in a Toyota Dolphin named “Dolly” and the balance of chemistry in a music group.





