This year, Twangville made it’s first trek to Nashville for the annual Americana Music Conference and the 10th Annual Americana Music Awards. Over the next week I’ll be highlighting some the moments, musical and otherwise, from this year’s event. WHAT’S IN A NAME? The running joke all week was how to define Americana. The context […]
Monday Morning Video: Peter Wolf and Butch Walker
This past weekend was a big one for music in Boston with both Peter Wolf and Butch Walker teaching clinics in how to deliver a high energy show. Don’t believe me? See below for the evidence. Wolf serves up a version of “Love Stinks” tailor made for Twangville while Walker and his band the Black […]
Laurie Lewis – Skippin’ and Flyin’
Timeless. Â That’s the single word that best describes the latest release from Berkeley, CA-based songstress and multi-instrumentalist Laurie Lewis. Â Skippin’ and Flyin’ is a sort of tribute album to Bill Monroe. Â The tribute is an abstract though, that includes Monroe songs, songs from others that were inspired by Monroe, and even songs that just evoke […]
The Jayhawks – Mockingbird Time
It is time for another collaborative review here at Twangville. So here are a few perspectives on the Jayhawks new release Mockingbird Time: Eli – I am surprised by how much I like Mockingbird Time. Now you may be asking yourself “surprised? really? what’s wrong with this sap—it’s the Jayhawks—the original line-up with Louris and […]
Monday Morning Video: Buddy Miller
Simply brilliant.
Southern Culture On the Skids – Zombified
Finally, Halloween is getting its musical due. Â OK, OK, technically the latest album from Southern Culture On the Skids, Zombified, is a tribute to all the awesome grade B horror movies that used to come to the drive-ins and dollar theaters when I was mis-spending my youth. Â But a tribute album is generally music that […]
Mark W. Lennon – Home of the Wheel
Listening to Mark W. Lennon’s new release Home of the Wheel, I felt as if I was transported back to depression era America without leaving 2011. At times it is the music that takes you there, and other times it is the lyrics. Lennon draws the parallels between the Modern and the past with a […]
Stockbridge to Boston: A Special Playlist
Here’s the latest installment of my playlist series highlighting the latest and greatest in New England music. FEATURED ALBUM C’Mon by Barnstar! There’s a lot to be said for just getting in the studio for a few days and just having fun. Now while I can’t confirm that this was the case with Barnstar, it […]
Monday Morning Video: Ian Hunter
I was singing the praises of Ian Hunter to a friend a few weekends ago. This song is from his outstanding 2009 release Man Overboard and was one of my favorites from that year. The anger and indignation of the lyrics is somehow inspiring — it is a song so good that I had to […]
Win Big: The V-Roys!
There are some bands that were destined for greatness but somehow got derailed along the way. Unfortunately for all of us, Knoxville, Tennessee’s V-Roys fall into that category. Formed in 1994, the band released a scant three albums before bidding farewell in epic fashion with a show on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Fast forward twelve […]