Strings make pretty much any song better. Here’s proof to the point: Justin Currie of Del Amitri performing his classic “Be My Downfall” with the Royal Conservatoire Scotland Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2024 Celtic Connections Festival.
Yonder Mountain String Band – Nowhere Next
Although the roots go back further, the progressive, jam grass arm of the itself-upstart bluegrass genre really started hitting its stride about 25 or 30 years ago. One of the handful of bands that’s been around since then is Colorado’s Yonder Mountain String Band. Their 11th studio album, Nowhere Next, has just come out, and […]
West Of Texas – Hot Motel Nights
There’s a memorable line in The Blues Brothers movie where Jake asks the proprietor’s wife what kind of music they play and she confides, “oh, we have both kinds, country AND western.” I get that same sentiment from the latest album out of L.A.’s West Of Texas, their sophomore release Hot Motel Nights. Although front […]
Jamie McLean on Tour Van Poker Games and the Importance of Merch Sales
Jamie McLean talks about recording an album in his band’s rehearsal space, playing with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and the inspiration for the first song that he wrote.
Bonus Monday Video – Twangville Showcase Preview, The Covers
Hannah Aldridge, Kellen Asebroek, and Trapper Schoepp – all of whom are performing at tonight’s Twangville showcase in NYC – have been known to sprinkle some fun covers in their sets. We’re not promising that they’ll do so tonight but figured that we’d give you a taste of what might happen. Hard to go wrong […]
Monday Morning Video – Twangville NYC Showcase Tonight!
Last call for tonight’s Twangville showcase in NYC! Hannah Aldridge, Kellen Asebroek, and Trapper Schoepp will share the stage for a stellar evening of songs and stories. Here are a trio of videos – one from each artist – to get you ready. First up is Hannah Aldridge performing “Dream of America”, the title track […]
The W Lovers – For A Day Or A Lifetime
I’ve heard many chefs wax poetically about how their success came not from 10,000-hour-developed technique or an encyclopedic knowledge of the world’s cuisines, but rather from the restraint needed to let really good ingredients showcase themselves. I get that same sense of coaxing the beautiful out of the basics from the latest album from Seattle-based […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2024
Give It To Me One Last Time, Jeremie Albino (from the Easy Eye Sound release Our Time in the Sun) Canada’s Jeremie Albino traveled to Nashville to record an album steeped in Memphis and Muscle Shoals soul. In Nashville, Albino teamed with Dan Auerbach to create an outstanding album that has a retro feel without […]
Loose Cattle – Someone’s Monster
Everyone is someone’s monster. That’s the premise of New Orleans musical duo Kimberly Kaye and Michael Cerveris, and their band Loose Cattle, on their new album. Although it could have been the theme for a Halloween release, the pair focused not on the monsters but on how people deal with them and, sadly, how society […]
Kelley Mickwee on Ramen Bowls and Her Path to Songwriting
Austin by way of Memphis musician Kelley Mickwee talks about touring with her tour companion and shares the full circle moment behind one of the songs on her new album.