BABY SAID I saw sisters Veronica and Jess Pal deliver two blistering sets of rock and roll, sweetened by their catchy pop melodies and perfect sibling harmonies. Even those two times was not enough – here’s hoping they return soon for a proper tour. JOELTON MAYFIELD My favorite Americana discovery was Nashville by way of […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 1
JOHN FOGERTY “I just got my songs back and I’m gonna play every one of them,” said Fogerty at the start of his show, celebrating the return of his song publishing rights. He wasn’t kidding. He and his band cranked through hit after hit, culminating with a bruising “Fortunate Son”. The icing on the cake? […]
Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters – Good Morning, Sunshine
Organizing an album around a theme is, of course, nothing new. It’s easy to cite examples from as far back as the 60’s, and I have no doubt the historically astute can point to even earlier projects. What’s far less common is organizing a band with a theme. That’s just what Portland, Oregon’s, Ashley Flynn […]
Olivia Ellen Lloyd on Apples, Joni Mitchell, and Monel Guitar Strings
County singer Olivia Ellen Lloyd talks about avoiding the toxic feedback loop of the music business, the time she out guitar-guyed a guitar guy, and the story behind the first song that she wrote.
Pug Johnson – El Cabron
As a rule I believe you don’t have to grow up with a style of music in order to write it and play it well. I’ve heard great Americana music out of Scandinavia; some authentic country music from people who lived their whole life in Los Angeles; Bela Fleck grew up in that hotbed of […]
Kira Annalise of The Waymores on Gas Station Pizza and Touring in Wheelie Nelson
Kira Annalise of Atlanta-based The Waymores talks about the pro and the con of how music distribution works today and shares a favorite line from the first song that she and partner Willie Heath Neal wrote together.
Dustin Brown – Dustin Brown
I’ve heard many musicians, from Todd Snider to Warren Haynes to Kris Kristofferson, advise aspiring songwriters to write about what they know. I have no idea if Texan Dustin Brown heard someone tell him that firsthand, but somewhere along the way he picked up the skill. He grew up the kid where both parents had […]
Monday Morning Video – Wade Bowen
This is a favorite song from a few years back, courtesy of Texas singer-songwriter Wade Bowen. I love the blend of pop and melancholy of “Everything Has Your Memory”.
Joe Larson of TopHouse on Working as a Landscaper and Covering Rusted Root
Singer, guitarist, and banjo player Joe Larson of TopHouse talks about a song called “Teddy Bear” and being willing to laugh at oneself.
American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh 2025
Every year the first weekend of February B. J. Barham hosts American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh. In fact, this year was the Tenth anniversary of Road Trip. As usual it was held at Lincoln Theater in downtown Raleigh. It was the second time I attended, with last year being my first. One thing for […]