Jesse Farrar of bluegrass outfit Old Salt Union talks about the group’s less than ideal tour diet and some of the unique day jobs that band members did before pursuing music full-time.
Che Apalache – Rearrange My Heart
So much of the early development of Americana and roots music sprung out of the mountains of Appalachia and the cotton fields of the Delta that we tend forget how popular a lot of it is across the globe. And like any musical style, once musicians learn it they start adding their own influences. Nothing […]
Americana 2019 – Chip’s Picks
Americanafest brings a plethora of artist and showcases together in Nashville each September to celebrate the year that was; and give a preview of the year to come. Here is my attempt to highlight but a few artists that caught my attention this year, although there are too many special performances to recount. The Vandoliers […]
Cory Younts of Old Crow Medicine Show On Tour Bus Mileage and Dragging a Piano to His First Gig
Cory Younts of Old Crow Medicine Show talks about the time that a band rehearsal at his house turned into a neighborhood block party and his early years working at a Boy Scout camp.
Natalie Padilla – Fireweed
I’m convinced the hardest thing to do as a producer is to extract the maximum essence of a musician in a recording session and not allow production sparkle to gloss over the natural talent. Ben Winship produced (he just released a recording of his own, Toolshed, that I recommend) the new album from Natalie Padilla, […]
Wood Robinson of Mipso on Going All-In and Why You Shouldn’t Text and Drive
Mipso bassist Wood Robinson talks about the coolest that he’s ever felt at a gig and the rehearsal space that forced them to take breaks when it rained.
Quick Hits – Small Town Therapy and The Popravinas
LA-based The Popravinas are going to bust out of their self-described confines as one of the best SoCal party bands if they aren’t careful. Guitarist and producer John Adair has added some pretty sweet country licks to lead singer and writer Eddy Sill’s blue collar, roots rock compositions. Almost Sick has a classic, honky tonk […]
Austin Thompson of The Way Down Wanderers on Coffee and Selling Out Their First Show
Austin Thompson of Chicago quintet The Way Down Wanderers talks about brewing coffee while on the road, their movable rehearsal space and where the most important band work happens.
SXSW 2019 – The Sounds, Part 1
BALTO I was sold on Balto as soon as I heard the blistering slide on “Black Snake, Mojave Blues”, the sample track that they shared on their SXSW profile page. Seeing them live provided an exclamation point – I caught two exceptional raucous and greasy outdoor sets in the afternoon sun. The LA-based quartet were […]
Mayer’s Playlist for January/February 2019, Part 2
Jingle and Go, Ryan Bingham (from the Axster Bingham Records release American Love Song) Ryan Bingham stretches out on American Love Song, offering up a roadhouse full of of songs about on love, political commentary and boisterous escapades. Opener “Jingle and Go” kicks things off playfully, recalling Little Feat with its intertwined piano and slide […]