There are many paths a band can take between inception and the first album (assuming they make it that far). The 40 Acre Mule chose to follow a simple formula. First they decided to kick ass and do it loudly. Second they played anywhere and everywhere people would listen, and made it a party. Third […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2019, Part 2
All Some Kind of Dream, Josh Ritter (from the Pytheas Recordings release Fever Breaks) Josh Ritter is one of the most literate songwriters of these times, waxing poetic as easily as unleashing fiery commentary. He sets the tone early on the newly released Fever Breaks with “Ground Don’t Want Me”, a somewhat jubilant melody and […]
Gary Nicholson on Avoiding Rehearsals and Not Chasing Trends
Gary Nicholson describes his early gigs playing at the legendary Ft Worth Cellar and time spent welding fins on bombs.
My Mind Must Be Back in Boston – A Special Playlist
Reckless Heart, Todd Thibaud (from the self-released Hill West) Singer-songwriter Todd Thibaud decamped to rural Vermont to craft his latest album. He returned to Boston with a collection of songs somber and introspective, no doubt reflective of the environment in which it was born. Stark but nuanced arrangements play into the pensive nature of the […]
Mitch Woods Shares Stories from More Than 40 years as a Professional Musician
Piano man Mitch Woods recalls hiding from the cops at his first gig, the car that inspired his first song and the time they filmed a movie in the studio where he had just finished a session.
Monday Morning Video – The Texas Teens
There’s a talented group of young musicians establishing themselves in Dallas. Their choice of musical genre may vary but they share a determined commitment to craft that shines bright in their music. If they are any indication, our musical future is in good hands. Have a listen to Parker Twomey, Remy Reilly, Frankie Leonie and […]
Matt Andersen on Mid-Rehearsal Naps and the Definition of Done
Canadian soul-bluesman Matt Andersen talks about a day-job working in a factory, his record for the number of strings broken in a night and the uncertain future economic value of music.
Manx Marriner Mainline – Hell Bound For Heaven
I heard Harry Manx a few years back and instantly dug his performance, which was concert footage from Australia. Manx’s rich slide guitar playing had a powerful enchantment. Steve Marriner, of the raucous swamp blues outfit MonkeyJunk, is a frequent Manx collaborator, and judging from Hell Bound for Heaven, the duo’s first album release, I […]
Taylor Scott Band – All We Have
Taylor Scott is a relatively new artist who has already done some remarkable things. He, along with Warren Haynes, laid down guitar licks on Otis Taylor’s groundbreaking Hey Joe Opus: Red Meat, which wired a web of varying music pieces into a symphonic whole. That experience placed Denver-based Scott in good company. Perhaps a blues player […]
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 […]