Artists who cover Smokey Robinson’s “The Tracks of My Tears” have a tendency to slow it down. I’m partial to the more upbeat original, which more accurately captures the song’s tale of hiding heartbreak behind a veneer of happiness. People say I’m the life of the party‘Cause I tell a joke or twoAlthough I might […]
Afton Wolfe – Kings For Sale
It’s burned in my memory, the exact moment I first heard Afton Wolfe. Coming down out of the mountains on an impossibly bright day in southern Utah, I hit play on his new album, Kings For Sale. Like when you flip down a pair of polarized lenses after squinting into the sun, the textures hidden […]
Paul Givant of The Contraptionists on Pepsi, Fred Meyers, and the Band’s LA Industrial Loft
The Contraptionists’ Paul Givant talks about an early slacker day job and touring in a converted airport shuttle bus (and the associated breakdown stories).
Graham Young of Michigan Rattlers on CCR and Gas Station Wasabi Almonds
Graham Young of Michigan Rattlers talks about the “hammering jackass” style of guitar playing and an old day job delivering platters of corned beef and pastrami for a delicatessen.
Monday Morning Video – Ben de la Cour
Ben de la Cour’s 2020 album Shadowland overflowed with stark tales and flawed characters, none the more so than “Anderson’s Small Ritual”. De la Cour has just announced a planned follow-up, no doubt as dark – and wonderful – as the last. Learn more about the album here.
Megan Palmer on Avoiding “Hangry” and Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Megan Palmer talks about tacos, working as a nurse, and breaking even.
Todd Snider on Busking, Ruminating, and Dip Shit Open Mic Talk
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider talks about the lower middle of the folk circuit, a tour bus fire, and Hayes Carll.
Monday Morning Video – Amy Ray
Our recent interview with Amy Ray sent me back into her solo catalog. Here’s “Sure Feels Good Anyway” from 2018’s Holler.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2021, Part 2
The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram (from the Vanner Records/RCA Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) Lambert, Randall, and Ingram. Kind of sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it? In this case it’s a trio of songwriters who have just released some intimate recordings from their writing retreats in Marfa, […]
Pine Hill Haints – The Song Companion of a Lonestar Cowboy
When you have been traversing your region of the country as a band of troubadours for over twenty years you can’t be called an overnight success. However, they have been successful none the less. Now finally the band as delivered an album that should be their breakout to a wider audience. On the new album […]