After my recent outing to the NX35 Conference in Denton Texas, I was able to more fully understand why so many people feel that Denton has become quite the scene. So many quality bands that call Denton home playing in the clubs that truly are their homes made for a great weekend of discovery for […]
Kiss Off! A Special Twangville Playlist, Part 3
In the words of the guy in the Verizon ad, “Can you hear me now?” If not, try these gems from the classics edition of our special Twangville playlist: Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright), Bob Dylan So long, honey, babe Where I’m bound, I can’t tell Goodbye’s too good a word, babe So I’ll just […]
Elvis Perkins, midnight church, and redemption
Elvis Perkins just restored in my faith in the hot-blooded beating heart of music, in a cavernous church sanctuary in the middle of Austin tonight. Playing a midnight set with his impassioned band Dearland, he left me reeling in the front pew as he wailed and pounded and jangled through his heartbreaking song catalog. I […]
Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
When I was growing up back in the 70’s, it wasn’t unusual for an artist to have a Concept Album. They would take some idea or theme and write a number of songs at least vaguely in line with the concept. Of course all those records can really be traced to Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts […]
Kiss Off! A Special Twangville Playlist, Part 2
Here’s the second installment of our special “Kiss Off” playlist, country and folk edition: So Long Baby Goodbye, The Blasters There was a cold wind blowing on the night we met, The leaves fell from the trees, You made a lot of promises I ain’t seen yet, And I ain’t gonna ask you please. You […]
Riverboat Gamblers – Underneath the Owl
Austin, TX by way of Denton, TX rockers Riverboat Gamblers have built a reputation for being raucous performers who don’t mind bleeding a little during their frenetic live-set. The spirit of their live-performance ways are captured brilliantly in their new record, Underneath the Owl (Volcom). The band will be spending a great deal of time […]
Kiss Off! A Special Playlist, Part 1
At one point or another we’ve all been on the wrong side of a break-up. So why not celebrate it? Every Tuesday for the next few weeks I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite break-up songs in a special Twangville playlist. And its all dedicated to you, ___________ (INSERT NAME HERE). See You Around, Javier […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2009, a Video Companion
We book-end this month’s video playlist with Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys), opening with a rocking take on “My Last Mistake” and closing with a special acoustic performance of “Trouble Weighs a Ton.” In between we’ve got live performances from Alex Dezen (The Damnwells), Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Justin Townes Earle, Sam […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2009, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, by Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit There’s something satisfying about watching a performer mature before your eyes. Though Jason Isbell has long been a Twangville favorite, his latest showcases his tremendous growth as a songwriter and performer. Exhibit A is “Soldiers Get Strange,” the […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February 2009, Part 1
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: One Last Century, by The Damnwells “Somewhere between nothing and something is everything,” sings Alex Dezen about halfway through the band’s latest release. It seems an apt, if cryptic, explanation for his decision to make the album freely available on the internet. Freed from music industry obligations but still possessed by […]