I make lots of lists. Mostly lists of things I have to get done. It calms me to do this and makes anything seem possible if I put it on a list. It’s even more satisfying when I get to scratch something off the list.  In keeping with that, here’s my Best of 2014 list, […]
The Twangville 2015 Release Preview
There is already an impressive collection of releases on the docket for 2015, with plenty more sure to follow. Here are a handful that the Twangville crew are eagerly anticipating. What albums, whether on this list or not, are you most excited to hear? ABSENT FATHERS by JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE(13 January on Vagrant Records) Earle […]
Chip’s Best of 2014
As usual it was a tough year to pick the top albums. This year was particularly tough; in that there were a number of top notch releases, but no clear standouts. Thus the conundrum, how to separate albums that are all deserving and uniquely their own. Here is an attempt to rank my top ten. […]
Danny Benair of the Three O’Clock On Lessons Learned About Picture Sleeves and Non LP B-sides
Danny Benair, drummer for legendary LA band The Three O’Clock, reflects on the drum sticks broken per rehearsal ratio and the evolution of his view on the relative importance of money and non-album b-sides.
Monday Morning Video – Joe Cocker
We lost a legend when Joe Cocker passed away on 22 December. Cocker possessed one of the quintessential voices in rock and roll, a singer who quite literally took ownership of every song he sang. Dave Mason wrote a wonderful piece about Cocker on his Facebook page: When I wrote Feelin’ Alright, it had a […]
Celebrate the New Year with Slaid Cleaves and Matthew Grimm
Let’s ring in the new year with Slaid Cleaves’ classic “One Good Year,” plus a bonus rocker from Matthew Grimm that highlight’s Woody Guthrie’s list of New Year’s resolutions from 1942.
Mayer’s Playlist for December 2014
THE PLAYLIST I Can’t Do Crazy (Anymore), Willie Nile (from the River House Records release If I Was a River) Nile has been letting his guitar do the talking for the past several years, throwing down rock records that should be the envy of musicians a fraction of his age. This one is a little […]
Reckless Serenade Talk Their Rehearsal Space and Driving to New Hampshire
Reckless Serenade talk the keys to a great rehearsal space and paying the bills.
Monday Morning Video – A Little Big Star
December boy’s got it bad…
Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2014
I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2014 back in July (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this the continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. An Anthem for the Broken and A Song to Learn and Sing (Until Kingdom […]