They say alt-country is country music played with a punk aesthetic. Stephen Flatt has a slightly different idea; it’s southern rock with a bluegrass aesthetic. On his latest album, Cumberland Bones, Flatt leads with the Southern rock stories and anthemic, pump-your-fist sound. The bluegrass comes in via him recording this record not with a longstanding […]
Eli West – Tapered Point Of Stone
For much of the country, spring is upon us. Not just because of the date on the calendar, but the warmth of the sun on increasingly longer days, the gentle breeze bearing the scent of blooms (and pollen!), and at least where I grew up the sudden change of Mother Nature’s heart with the arrival […]
Griffin Sherry (The Ghost of Paul Revere) on “Skyship Mkll” and Learning from the Lean Years
Griffen Sherry, guitarist for The Ghost of Paul Revere, talks about building custom children’s playhouses, rehearsing in public parks, and brief moments of forgiveness
Joe Funk of Kitchen Dwellers on Hotel Room Noise Complaints and a Litany of Van Names
Joe Funk, bassist for progressive bluegrass band Kitchen Dwellers, talks about tour meal strategies, moonlighting as a structural engineer, and the band’s hourly wage.
The Bodarks – Side Effects
The English language has some very captivating words. A friend of mine likes “shenanigans”. I’ve always been partial to “gobsmacked”. Then there’s “hootenanny”. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s sort of like open mic night at the square dance. Think string bands and dancing; raw, fast-paced, and open to anyone. That’s the spirit […]
The Avett Brothers – The Third Gleam
I have loved the “Gleam” series that the Avetts occasionally put out. It is the band in its most simple form. Let’s face it, the Avett Brothers have become more able than anyone in Americana to write Anthemic ballads. As they have grown, their lineup and live shows have also become bigger. They are in […]
Wood & Wire – No Matter Where It Goes From Here
Polish is an under-appreciated art form. For a few years of my misspent youth I was enamored with old cars. As part of that I learned that while the most beautiful paint job was just a combination of wax, pigment & resin, the right artist could create a depth and dimensionality that belied the simplicity […]
Golden Shoals on Bathroom Rehearsals and the Psychology of Christmas Tree Shoppers
Amy Alvey (fiddle, guitar) and Mark Kilianski (guitar, banjo) of Golden Shoals talk about their custom tour van and the time they turned a street corner rehearsal into a profitable busking outing.
Billy Bright of Wood & Wire on Sacrifice, Propaganda, and Distorted Silence
Billy Bright of Wood & Wire talks about an elephant’s birthday party and the ancient traveling techniques of the early minstrels and cowboys
Golden Shoals – Golden Shoals
One of the best things about travel is the occasional chance to just sit there and observe the people around you. Not being held to a schedule opens your mind to different perspectives. Musical duo and long-time friends Amy Alvey and Mark Kilianski were afforded probably a lot more of that perspective than most while […]