It’s easy to forget that being a professional musician is about more than music. This is even more true for the independent artist who will spend the day doing everything from stuffing merch envelopes and hanging show posters to trying to coordinate tour logistics from behind the wheel of the tour van. With that as […]
The Waifs – Ironbark
Soul is the incorporeal essence of a living being, by one definition. In the case of Ironbark, the latest from Australian music stars The Waifs, it’s the incorporeal essence of 3 living beings; sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, plus long time musical partner Josh Cunningham. The Waifs have been together 25 years now, and […]
Bill & Joel Plaskett – Solidarity
Joel Plaskett is well known to Canadian music fans; his father probably less so, but a defining character of the eastern Canada folk scene nonetheless. Â So when they decided to do an album together, the odds were stacked in their favor. Â What was targeted as a musical project they could unite on, hence the title, […]
Beth Bombara – Map & No Direction
What is it about electricity that so irritates the traditional folk music crowd? Â Dylan practically caused a riot back in 1965 when he plugged in at Newport. Â The acoustic crowd wanted nothing to do with Fairport Convention or It’s A Beautiful Day when they displayed some rock and roll showmanship and musical direction. Â As late […]
Monday Morning Video – I’m With Her
How’s this for a talented of boundless talent – Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan harmonizing beautifully on “Cross Muddy Waters.”
Quiles & Cloud – Shake Me Now
Quiles and Cloud originally formed as a duo. Maria Quiles (Vocals and Guitar) and Rory Cloud (Vocals and Guitar) began playing together in the Bay Area in 2011. Since then they have added Upright Bass player Oscar Westesson. Their new album “Shake Me Now†is being released this week and will hopefully be the launching […]
John Craigie – No Rain, No Rose
There will never be another John Prine. Â But like the jam bands that came after the Grateful Dead, if you’re open to the sprouts that come up in the field they plowed, you can experience some delicious flavors that may not be the original, but they’re tasty nonetheless. Â John Craigie is one such Prine varietal. […]
Taarka – Fading Mystery
About an hour north of Denver sits Lyons, Colorado, on the banks of the St. Vrain river. Â It’s the home of the Planet Bluegrass organization, Rockygrass, Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, and other smaller festivals and events. Â Â Which is to say it’s one of the epicenters of Americana music. Â The Enion Pelta-Tiller and David Tiller […]
Rhiannon Giddens – Freedom Highway
Freedom Highway may be the album that followers of the Carolina Chocolate Drops have been waiting for in the fledgling solo career of Rhiannon Giddens. The second of Giddens’ solo efforts, Freedom Highway showcases her songwriting talents in a tour de force demonstrating her ability to move nimbly between roots genres from the primitive, folky jug-band and […]
Monday Morning Video – Rose Cousin’s “Grace”
Although she lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rose Cousins has spent enough time in Boston to become an honorary member of the local folk family. The singer-songwriter has just released Natural Conclusion, an album both graceful and poignant. Cousins worked with producer Joe Henry who, as he had done with others, takes a restrained approach […]