Listening to, or reading about, someone’s journey of personal discovery can be, well, a slog. The constants tend to be emotionally draining feelings of fear, uncertainty, doubt, hatred, oppression, repression. Uplifting things like that. So imagine my surprise upon discovering Elliah Heifetz’ first full length album, First Generation American, is actually pretty joyful. Heifetz, son […]
Derek Vanderhorst – Wildflower
Come for the headline, stay for the story. That old saying couldn’t be truer as it relates to the new album from Derek Vanderhorst. The headline is that the go-to sound designer and mixer for hundreds of films, including The Eyes of Tammy Faye and No Country For Old Men, was diagnosed with stage 4 […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 2
ALLISON RUSSELL Seeing Allison Russell was a transcendental experience. Her songs and performance were glorious in their intensity and emotion. While she brought out the clarinet and banjo for a few songs, she mostly relied on the talented trio of musicians to support her on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and cello. Simply magical. BER One […]
SXSW 2022 – The Sounds, Part 1
DOLLY PARTON What can be said about seeing Dolly Parton for the first time? The hits, the stories, the people weeping with joy around me – it was spectacular. And playing “9 to 5” twice – the second time so the audience could sing it – was tremendous. LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES […]
Drew Cooper Song Premiere – Whiskey And Smoke
There’s a transparency that comes with growing up in a town in the Midwest. First of all, everyone knows you. Or your mama. Second, you have to have a certain amount of self-awareness and honesty about yourself. When a simple trip to the mailbox in winter can be death-defying, miscalculations can carry a heavy price. […]
Ben Balmer Song Premiere – Girl With the Dirty Hair
Last fall I wrote about Ben Balmer’s latest record, Honky-Tonk Macbeth. There were a couple of very good, but dark, numbers including the title track. It has the best summary of the Shakespeare classic that I’ve ever heard, “just words that sound pretty, then there’s mostly death.” Most of the album, however, was more in […]
Cactus Blossoms – One Day
They call it blood harmony. It is that special coherent blend that siblings can attain when they harmonize. In the case of The Cactus Blossoms, comparisons are abundant to the Everly Brothers. However, sometimes the obvious is the most apropos. The blend of their vocals seems effortless and gives each song a comfortable, smooth vibe […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2022, Part 1
The Ballad of Sissy & Porter, The Whitmore Sisters (from the Red House Records release Ghost Stories) There’s a throwback quality to the Whitmore Sisters’ Ghost Stories. Sure, sisters Eleanor and Bonnie have magical familial harmonies that recall The Everly Brothers. It’s the songs and arrangements, however, that hearken back to a bygone era when […]
Sarah Shook on a Tour Game Changer and Staying Hydrated
Sarah Shook talks about avoiding gas station fare, trying not to avoid the neighbors during band practices, and bartending at in Chapel Hill, NC.
Monday Morning Video – The Sadies
We lost another great talent this past week with the passing of Dallas Good, co-founder of Canada’s treasured The Sadies. In addition to the group’s own prodigious output, they have collaborated with countless friends and admirers, including Neko Case, John Doe, Justin Townes Earle, Gord Downie, and countless others. Good’s passing is another tragic loss […]