“Heaven is right here, if you’re doing it right.” Â Those words lead the chorus of Black Grace, a song that won Melody Walker the songwriting contest last year at Merlefest. Â She and partner Jacob Groopman have just released We Made It Home that includes Black Grace and number of other treasures. Â Produced by bluegrass virtuoso […]
Song Premiere: “Shady Grove” by Whiskey Shivers
Are you ready for a holiday weekend? I’m more than ready. And, well, I can’t think of a better way to ease into the home stretch than with some fine new music from Austin’s Whiskey Shivers. The bad-ass bluegrass quintet recently visited San Diego’s Lost Ark Studios to record a track for the Studio’s singles […]
David Bromberg – Only Slightly Mad
Music enthusiasts at the 2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival got to see some great moments. They got to see Fairport Convention folker Richard Thompson rock out as if making a statement that he can shred with the most aggressive electric guitar slingers in the land. They also got to see a young ukelele virtuoso from Hawaii, Jake […]
Jonas Friddle & the Majority – Use Your Voice
I once heard a comment, that I agree with, at a Calexico concert that anytime there’s both a trumpet and a slide guitar on the same stage it’s going to be a good show. Â Having listened now to the latest from Jonas Friddle & the Majority, Use Your Voice, I’m going to say that the […]
Eastbound Jesus – Northern Rock
Click, whirrr. Â Click, whirrr. Â Like some aural Polaroid the recently released third album from upstate New York band Eastbound Jesus spits out snapshots of life in northern rural America that quickly take on the patina of nostalgia even when they’re new. Â Northern Rock is as much about stories set to music as it is songwriting. […]
Monday Morning Video: Barnstar! Takes on “Handle With Care”
This week’s video finds Twangville faves Barnstar! in the studio recording their bluegrass cover of the Traveling Wilbury’s “Handle With Care.” The song appeared on their spirited 2011 release C’mon!. As a special bonus, here’s Barnstar! taking on the Dawes gem “When My Time Comes.” An enchanting performance of a magical song.
Old Settler’s Music Festival 2013
In the middle of April, a few weeks after the madness of SXSW, one of the more under appreciated events on the Austin music scene happens about 30 miles southwest of town; The Old Settler’s Music Festival. Â Here are some of the highlights from this year’s festivities. Who Was That Band? Festivals like this always […]
Monday Morning Video: Live from the Living Room
New York City’s The Living Room has long been recognized as a music lover’s paradise. The venue has been a musical home to artists like Norah Jones and a place where artists like the Punch Brothers can comfortably explore new material. As recently as a few weeks ago, the Lumineers talked in the New York […]
Wood & Wire – Wood & Wire
Here it is Friday afternoon before a long weekend for most, and spring break for many (or Ski Week, as it’s called here on the left coast). Â For lots of people that means a road trip of some kind, and I can’t think of anything better for a long drive than some bluegrass. Â Fortunately the […]
John Hartford – Aereo Pain/Morning Bugle
Normally a reissue of an old record isn’t such a big deal, but the December 2012 reissue of John Hartford’s Aereo Plain/Morning Bugle CD was a big deal for bluegrass fans because Aereo Plain, one of the most important records of the bluegrass – or “New Grass” – revival in the 1970s, had been almost impossible […]