Three years after the release of his first post Civil Wars album, John Paul White is giving us “The Hurting Kindâ€. His previous release “Beulah†was a dark although very beautiful record. This new release is more sonically diverse and expansive, drawing upon a talented cast of contributors. Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes joined White […]
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 […]
Son Volt – Union
The previous two Son Volt albums explored leader Jay Farrar’s musical groundings in country and blues with Honky Tonk and Notes Of Blue respectively. Â On his latest record, Farrar and his bandmates are showing some of their folk roots. Â That’s not to say Union is a folk record: far from it, this is a return […]
Steve Poltz Shares a Dirty Little Secret and Explains What “Eff” Means
Steve Poltz, troubadour, talks about being an opportunivore, touring like a millennial and why goats don’t play guitar.
The Way Down Wanderers – Illusions
There’s a fine line between disappointment and disillusionment. Â I think some of it has to do with permanence, but whatever the definition the boys in The Way Down Wanderers do a good job of staying on the fleeting side of pessimism on their latest album, Illusions. Â In general, they accomplish that with upbeat instrumental support, […]
Monday Morning Video – Carter Sampson
There are inevitably a few albums that slip by my radar each year. Carter Sampson’s 2018 release Lucky fits into that category. The album is filled with songs that sit on the cusp of folk and country, often determined solely by the arrangements. She passed through Dallas several weeks ago and treated to two shows, […]
Peter Mulvey on His Annual Bicycle Tour and the Beauty of Discovery
Singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey reflects on a series of glorious fleeting moments and the mullet and twelve-string Gibson that powered his first gig.
Hayes Carll – What It Is
By the second song on the new album from Hayes Carll, What It Is, it’s already apparent that he’s moving away from the pensiveness of his last record to something more in line with his earlier work. Â But that’s also not to say he’s not improving his craft along the way. Â The dry wit and […]
Ted Russell Kamp – Walkin’ Shoes
With a resume that includes bass player, lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Ted Russell Kamp could be a contestant on The Most Interesting Man In the World. Â Most of those talents are on display on his latest record, Walkin’ Shoes. The first cut, Home Away From Home, sets the pace properly with a walking, […]
Monday Morning Video – Los Lobos
Let’s start the week with a question. Why aren’t Los Lobos in the Rock Hall of Fame? Over their more than 45 year career, they’ve demonstrated a mastery of broad musical styles alongside a tremendous commitment to artistic creativity and craft. Their live performances bring this range to life with an infectious energy. Here are […]