Last week also brought the news that we lost Scott Kempner, co-founder of The Dictators and The Del-Lords. The former are considered punk rock pioneers while the latter was a gloriously unbridled rock and roll outfit. Kempner epitomized the rock and roll ethos, combining a NYC attitude with raucous guitars. Here are The Del-Lords performing […]
Monday Morning Video – Shane MacGowan
Last week brought the news that Shane MacGowan, co-founder and singer-songwriter for Ireland’s legendary the Pogues, had passed away. MacGowan’s songs, not to mention his interpretations of other folk songs, were as stirring as his life was complex. Even though he had only performed sporadically over the last decade, the impact of his music has […]
When It’s Twilight in Boston – a Special Twangville Playlist
Bulletproof Man, The Bluest Sky (from the self-released The Bluest Sky) Chuck Melchin first appeared on our radar a number of years ago as the Bean Picker’s Union. Essentially a solo artist surrounding himself with a loose collective of acoustic players, he wrote songs that oozed melancholy and were tied to quiet and captivating melodies. […]
Vinnie Paolizzi – The Vinnie Paolizzi LP
Plenty of people, myself included, have lamented the music Nashville is known for has become a formulaic creation from click-tracks and tailgate party themes. While there’s certainly plenty of that, it’s an exaggeration to suggest that’s all there is. Case in point is Pennsylvania native, now Nashville resident Vinnie Paolizzi. After banging around Music City […]
The Pretty Flowers on Renting Vans from Costco and Not Setting Goals
The members of Los Angeles rock band The Pretty Flowers talk about why they need a new rehearsal space and the sisyphean task of making a living in a band.
Guy Forsyth Video Premiere – Rider
At the risk of mixing metaphors, Guy Forsyth started his journey washing dishes and mucking stalls in the musical kingdom of Austin. From those early days of busking on the UT campus he worked his way up to leading multiple bands and securing a residency at Antone’s, the throne room of Texas blues. Along the […]
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
The Last Waltz, the all-star farewell concert by The Band on Thanksgiving night back in 1976 is the stuff of legend. As we wrap up the holiday weekend, here’s one of my favorite performances from that show – “Such a Night” by the late Dr. John.
Melissa Ruth Song Premiere – Low-Key Christmas
As we head into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we’re bombarded with reinforcements of the typical Western Christmas by pretty much any and every media outlet we come across. You know them all: a bountiful, picture-perfect family dinner, fashionably wrapped gifts under an impeccably decorated tree, snowfall adding a glisten and sparkle […]
Jacob Sharp of Mipso on Warning Lights in the Band’s Tour Van and His Love of Wine
Mandolin player and vocalist Jacob Sharp of Mipso talks about the most rewarding part of being an artist and what bums him out about the music industry.
Matthew Marcantonio of Demob Happy on The Demobile Mk III and Learning to Relax
Singer-bassist Matthew Marcantonio of UK rock band Demob Happy talks about achieving maximum vibe in the band’s old rehearsal space, taking inspiration from Dave Grohl (and subsequently regretting it), and a tip for eating healthy while on the road.