The former DC-based now Nashville-based band Last Train Home comes home to the Capitol City this weekend for a series of CD release shows. I gotta get my priorities straight and hit one of these shows. Its “bound” to be a historic weekend in honor of the decade old band’s fifth full-length release. @ IOTA […]
Bottle Rockets in So. Fla.
Good concerts come to my South Florida town about as often as cold fronts. The dearth of viable venues south of the Carolinas and the unusual length of the peninsula discourage artists from making the long trip. Sure, the major acts fly in from time to time. You can still watch the Billy Joel hit […]
Hem, “Funnel Cloud” Reviewed
On their third studio full-length, New York City’s Hem offer up a thoughtful selection of secular hymns to the lost and broken-hearted. There is a fragile beauty in the delicate arrangements of Hem’s songs, and an often comfortably familiar tone, by turns evoking the melodies and moods of Bruce Springsteen (“Old Adam”), Tom Waits (“The […]
Randy Newman in Defense of our Country
When he’s not composing movie soundtracks and collecting Oscar nominations, Randy Newman writes pop songs filled with biting social and political commentary. So it should come as no surprise to see Newman offer his perspectives on today’s highly charged global political environment. “A Few Words In Defense of Our Country”, by Randy Newman A president […]
Josh Rouse, EP Available
A personal favorite artist of mine ever since my cousin Ken mentioned him to me back in 2003, Josh Rouse released a new EP this week. This time as a duo. He’s partnered up with Spanish native, Paz Suay, who’s smooth vocals you might recognize from his last album, Subtitulo. The new EP is aptly […]
Twangville Recommends: You Am I
Long known in their native Australia, You Am I have found limited success in the United States. With a little luck that is about to change. Months after releasing their latest album, Convicts, in their native country, the band just joined the powerhouse Yep Roc line-up.* Although I don’t find Convicts, their Yep Roc debut, […]
Twangville Live in the OC
Twangville Presents a live and local show Sat. Feb. 17 featuring Mike Stinson, Gina Villalobos and Haymaker at the Blue Cafe in Huntington Beach, CA. Three great LA-area artists bring Twangville live to this local club. Twangville Live presents Americana/Alt-Country once a month at the Blue Cafe.
The Offramps, a Giveaway
The fellas over at The Offramps are offering up to 5 autographed copies of their debut CD, Hate It When You’re Right. I’m tellin’ ya, if you like amped up rock n’ roll, you’re missing a big opportunity by not participating in this. All you have to do is be one of the first five […]
The Offramps, On the Radar
If you are ever looking for relatively unknown bands of high caliber, Miles of Music has a qualification where they stamp albums with an “It’s a Cracker” label. This is a guarantee that if you don’t like the music you can send it back no questions asked. I’ve found that in the space of indie […]
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Album Due
Coming soon to record stores (Feb 6.) and SXSW (March 14-18), check out Seattle-based Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. The album will be called Like, Love, Lust & The Open Halls of the Soul and out on Barsuk Records. Fans of Kristen Hersh and Neko Case will likely enjoy album track “LLL” (MP3), available […]