I realized recently that I think maybe a duo is the optimum configuration for a “band”. I’m sure some psychologist could explain it, but it just seems the shared sound comes through more purely. Bands tend to have a leader and it’s generally obvious who that it is. With a duo, everything just seems more […]
Monday Morning Video – A Long Monday Without John Prine
Gonna be a long MondaySittin’ all alone on a mountain by a river that has no endIt’s gonna be a long MondayStuck like the tick of a clock that’s come unwound again and again As we mourn the loss of the wit, wisdom, and humanity of John Prine, here’s a collection of artists paying tribute […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2020, Part 1
FEATURED ALBUM Trouble Don’t Follow Me, Christopher Paul Stelling (from the Anti- Records release Best of Luck) Christopher Paul Stelling has never been much of a conformist. While many artists are expressing anxiety and frustration with the state of the world, Stelling has decided to celebrate harmony and contentment. It’s all the more noteworthy for […]
Rose Cousins Talks About Club Passim and Eating Well While Touring
Mark Erelli on a Big Annual Expense and Why He Missed His First Gig
Mark Erelli talks about the future of artist incomes and what he most remembers when he gets home from touring.
Monday Morning Video – John Prine Duets
John Prine’s family shared the news yesterday that John is in critical condition battling the Covid-19. I’m certain that all here join Twangville in sending him best wishes for a speedy recovery. Here’s Prine singing with some friends, including “Angel From Montgomery” with Bonnie Raitt, “In Spite of Ourselves” with Iris DeMent, and “The Speed […]
The Nields on Chocolate, iPhone Reminders, and Making an Impact on Their Community
Nerissa and Katryna Nields share some memorable tour van names (“Moby Juan Van Kanobe”), rehearsing in the car, and how they spent the money that they earned at their first gig.
Avi Kaplan – I’ll Get By
Sometimes a voice comes along that has the potential to carry an entire album. No instrumentation needed. Avi Kaplan has such a voice. This probably shouldn’t be a surprise given his background in the uber-popular acapella group Pentatonix. I must admit to not being much of a fan of them or acapella groups in general. […]
Pi Jacobs – Two Truths And A Lie
“Divorce…whiskey…legal problems…cheaters…lies. I’m a pro at what not to do.” Whatever story comes next, it’s going to be a good one. That line comes from Broken Cup, the opening cut on Pi Jacobs’ latest release, and what comes next is indeed good. Two Truths And A Lie is collage of stories about female characters that […]
Glenn Jones – Ready For the Good Times
Some songwriters have a sort of osmosis whereby they can synthesize wonderful stories from the lives of people they meet, or sometimes just read about. Others are destined to write about the life they live and live the life they write about. Glenn Jones seems to be cut from the cloth of the latter. He […]