Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat by Fantastic Cat The sum is greater than the part with this collective of four singer-songwriters. Each of the four brings their own personality and songwriting style to the group, but they compliment one another beautifully. The songs crackle with intelligence and humor, all the better when the […]
Alice Wallace – Here I Am
Back in the day, the normal way to make an album was for the vocalist to go into the studio with musicians that did little else besides play on recordings being made for the name on the cover. Whether or not they knew the singer didn’t matter: they were musical craftsmen punching a time clock. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2024
So Glad You Made It, Fantastic Cat (from the Missing Piece Group Records release Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat) Fantastic Cat showcase their humor by maintaining a countdown clock until they’re eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, prominently displayed at their shows. Yet, it’s not entirely a joke – if […]
Monday Morning Video – Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle was taken from us at the much too young age of 38. He left behind an incredible catalog of songs striking and profound. Later this summer New West Records will release a double album of rarities that include demos, live performances, and covers. In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite Earle […]
Cosmic Guilt – Palace of Depression
A friend of mine noted earlier this year there has developed a tiny silver lining to the Cat 5 hurricane of the pandemic. He observed that anyone still in the music business now is in it because they can’t live without it. The people who were doing it because they could, or because of peer/family […]
Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival Preview
Back in the early 70’s there was something in the air in the music industry. Well, besides that. Multi-band shows were evolving away from several bands crammed into a 3 hour schedule in a ballroom or dance hall. In particular, the acoustic music scene was embracing longer sets and extended solos, no doubt influenced by […]
Matthew Milia of Frontier Ruckus on Tour Van Names and His Dad’s Guitar
Matthew Milia of indie folk band Frontier Ruckus talks about working in advertising, winning a battle of the bands, and making salsa in a hotel sink.
Hannah Connolly – Shadowboxing
Making mixtapes for friends was an active hobby for those of us working in college radio back in the day. Turns out hoping to broaden someone else’s musical horizons wasn’t unique to FM DJ’s, and the mixtape, albeit no longer a tape, is still thriving. So it’s kind of heartwarming that even musicians find inspiration […]
My Black Country – The Songs of Alice Randall
What do you get when Allison Russell, Rhiannon Giddens, Valerie June and others get together to sing songs by an underappreciated black songwriter on John Prine’s label? My Black Country – The Songs of Allice Randall. Alice Randall has been writing country music songs for decades. Though hers isn’t exactly a household name, she’s been […]
Jake Trevor Song Premiere – Coffee and Wine
I’ve always admired talented buskers. I can’t imagine a harder audience than a bunch of people who just view you as an obstacle to getting where they’re going. And yet, there is almost always a music fan or two who delay their plans to just stop and enjoy the song. Sometimes you see a few […]