Certain Circles, the latest release from Austin musician Chase Gassaway, should be listed as a treatment for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Â Although he writes about typical songwriter topics like love and angst, he manages to put an optimistic sound to them. Â And then add to that a few of his songs are just unabashedly happy […]
Monday Morning Video: Chris Mills
Brooklyn (by way of Chicago) singer-songwriter Chris Mills passed through Boston yesterday. It had been awhile since I’d seen him but it took only one song to remind me why I enjoy his songwriting. Mid-set he pulled out this older tune that has long been a favorite. Yes, it’s a bit maudlin. but damn if […]
The Twangville 2014 Release Preview, Boston Edition
This is shaping up to be a great year of music in Boston. All the albums below will be unleashed to the world in January and February. Here’s hoping the following ten months are just as fruitful. RADIO SWEETHEART by SARAH BORGES If there’s such a thing as a rock star quality then Sarah Borges […]
Monday Morning Video: A Tribute to Brown Bird
While on tour last spring, Dave Lamb of Providence, RI-based duo Brown Bird fell ill and was ultimately diagnosed with leukemia. Although he lacked insurance at the time, he was able to get treatment and is on the path to recovery. Of course, the mounting health costs combined with the lack of income — Brown […]
The Twangville 2014 Release Preview
If the releases below are any indication, 2014 is shaping up to be a musical embarrassment of riches. What releases, whether on this list or not, are you most excited to hear? HARD WORKING AMERICANS by HARD WORKING AMERICANS(21 January on Melvin Records/Thirty Tigers Records) What happens when a group of musicians — Todd Snider, […]
Honeylark – Heavy
This time of year the shadows stretch long across the frozen landscape, adding a lightly brushed undercurrent of foreboding to everything. Â It’s always there, lurking, feeding the darker human emotions, even when the event of the moment is a totally enjoyable holiday celebration. Â When you put that feeling to music, you get what Honeylark calls […]
Monday Morning Video: a Double Dose of Robbie Fulks
Here’s the affable Robbie Fulks performing a longtime favorite, the title track from his 1998 release Let’s Kill Saturday Night. I’m not sure why the video title reads “Sometimes the Grass Is Really Greener,” a track from last year’s Gone Away Backward. In honor of the mistake, however, here is Fulks performing that song in […]
Photos that ROCK! Best of 2013!
Photos that ROCK! Best of 2013! I am INSANELY lucky that I get to listen to amazing music AND take pictures- 2 of my favorite things. Here are some of my favorite shots from various venues around Boston in 2013. What a year! Tom McBride @ Lizard Lounge, March 2013 Josh Ritter & The Royal […]
Monday Morning Video: Foy Vance Serenades With the Theme From “Cheers”
We’ll end our year with a fun one, Foy Vance covering the theme song from the television show “Cheers.” Happy New Year everyone!
Mayer’s Picks: Best Songs of 2013
I posted a best songs list for the first half of 2013 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. Closed Hand, Full of Friends, Foy Vance (from the Glassnote Records release Joy of […]