As a writer, I suppose it’s natural for me to have a soft spot for well-written lyrics. I was gobsmacked, though, at some of the turns of phrase on the latest record from Oregonian Kristen Grainger. For instance, “outside the traffic clattered, like a sky full of geese drawing fire.” Does that draw you a […]
Nate Sipe of Pert Near Sandstone on Good Veggie Burgers and Pure Midwestern Gibberish
Nate Sipe talks about AAA membership, a record-breaking night of broken guitar strings and an uncashed million dollar check.
Turkeyfoot – Promise Of Tomorrow
With the festival season cancelled this year I’m discovering my longing for live music is taking twists and turns in its desire. Recently, no doubt partly due to summer settling in on the central California coast, I was having acute pangs for some hardcore bluegrass. Fortunately, out of the blue the Postal Service delivered the […]
Pharis & Jason Romero – Bet On Love
When we last checked in with our intrepid heros, musicians and banjo builders Pharis and Jason Romero, they were celebrating the release of a new album two years after losing their shop and cabin to a fire. The trauma had helped them appreciate some of the simpler things in life and they put that feeling […]
Dave Wilson of Chatham County Line on Youthful Exuberance and Profitable Band Rehearsals
Dave Wilson of bluegrass band Chatham County Line talks about how the band won the 2004 Rocky Grass Band Competition, rehearsing in an abandoned tire factory, and the tax benefits of buying guitars.
Laurie Lewis on Spatial Relationships and Finding Banjo Strings in Hawaii
Bluegrass artist Laurie Lewis talks about playing a biker bar and the environmental impact of touring.
Western Centuries on Picking, Grinning, and Down-Home Cooking
Western Centuries talk about repairing their van with junk yard parts, finding roadies while on tour, and maintaining a balanced diet.
Trout Steak Revival – The Light We Bring
For me, a certain style of bluegrass instantly brings back random memories of sunny, summer days outside listening to music. Many call that style front-range, or Colorado bluegrass. I suppose that all makes sense since, aside from John Hartford, much of my early bluegrass influence came from Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. That, in […]
Danny Barnes on Comic Books, Motorcycles, and Kitchen Table Rehearsals
Self-proclaimed “legacy cat” banjoist Danny Barnes talks about the words of “encouragement” that he received from a former day job boss and talks about why he still plays shows.
Larry Keel on Bird Feeders and Learning the Music Business from the Ground Up
Guitarist Larry Keel talks about writing his first song while sitting in a corn field, the time that his van transmission went out, and the weekly pickin’ jams that took place in Fauquier County, VA.