Steve Earle is back. He may have never really left, but “So You Wannabe An Outlaw” stands beside his best albums (and there are many). It sounds like his classic period from the 80s up through his classic Transcendental Blues in 2000 (without the early 90s records during his descent into drug addiction). Earle has […]
Emerging Artist – Courtney Marie Andrews’ Honest Life
Catching up on missed music is not what I thought that a newborn would allow me to do this summer. But the late nights, and the missed sleep between feedings, seemed only like a time when I would just wish I could sleep through the night. But there I was, 3:30 AM on a Tuesday, […]
Monday Morning Video – The Texas Gentlemen
Ready to get your jam on? Although they’ve only formally been a band a few years, The Texas Gentlemen have already proven themselves to be musicians of the highest order. Just ask folks like Leon Bridges, Nikki Lane, Paul Cauthen and Kris Kristofferson. They are just a few of the artists who have enlisted the […]
Monday Morning Video – The Vandoliers
I’ve been slowly exploring the Dallas music scene but I can say that the Vandoliers, my first local discovery, remain a favorite. Here’s a pair of videos to wet your whistle. The first selection showcases their punk rock roots while the second unleashes their penchant for Texas Red Dirt party music. What doesn’t quite come […]
Slaid Cleaves – Ghost On the Car Radio
I first saw Slaid Cleaves back in the 90’s at the Cactus Cafe in Austin.  That’s back when Grif was still booking the acts and it was a live music institution going back to Dylan and Baez in the 60’s.  I remember being blown away by the richness of the stories Slaid sang about.  Not just the […]
Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires – Youth Detention
There is only one way to listen to a Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires album…. LOUD!!! Don’t worry about disturbing the neighbors. Just crank it up and wake up the whole neighborhood. On their new album, Youth Detention, the band combines their power chord driven Southern Rock and Blues influences with a Punk […]
Monday Morning Video – Sean Rowe
I’ve heard some of Sean Rowe’s songs over the years but never had the opportunity to see him live, something which I corrected last week. Now I’m not sure whether to regret what I’ve previously missed or look forward to the next time I can see him perform. I’m going with the latter. Anyone who […]
Rachel Baiman – Shame
Woody Guthrie famously wrote “This Machine Kills Fascists” on his guitar. He and his protege, Pete Seeger, composed and sang protest songs that wore their emotions on their sleeve. Â There’s not much confusion about Woody’s views in This Land Is Your Land. Â And don’t get me started about Old Man Trump. Â The other kind of […]
Monday Morning Video – Rod Melancon
Los Angeles-based singer/guitarist Rod Melancon likes to write songs about his formative years growing up in Louisiana. These are richly colorful tales, or more to the point vivid characters, often based on real people and occurrences. If his debut album from focused on the youthful innocence (and exuberance), his sophomore release takes on much darker […]
A Twangville Premiere: Celebrating Father’s Day with Matthew Logan Vasquez
I don’t have any kids of my own but, from what I’ve heard from those that do, there’s a certain irony to the title of Matthew Logan Vasquez’s new album entitled Does What He Wants. The idea that a new-ish parent, rock musician or not, can do what he or she wants when there is […]