LA popmeister Bleu doesn’t release a lot of his own music these days — he’s too busy writing and producing for television, film, and other artists. But personal experience provided the impetus for his new album: a tribute to two close friends he lost, longtime studio partner Ducky Carlisle and college best friend Alex Scutro. […]
Chris Pierce on His Old Ford Bronco and His “Lone Wolf” Years
Singer-songwriter Chris Pierce recalls landing his first gig at age 7 or 8 after spotting a classified ad in the L.A. Times, and later working as a music professor during the pandemic. He also talks about stocking up on water while on tour, and the value of building and nurturing relationships in the music business.
Monday Morning Video – William Matheny
William Matheny’s new album, Material Witness, was released earlier this month. It’s great songwriting with real rock and roll grit. The title track gets the live-in-studio treatment for this week’s video — just Matheny and his band, no overdubs to hide behind. Matheny played NYC last night, a show I appropriated as my birthday party. […]
Effie Zilch – Higher Calling
Back in the middle of the 20th century, the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper had a legendary columnist, Herb Caen, who wrote about the issues of the day affecting the working and middle class families that called the City home. To make sure he didn’t veer off into pedantic topics of interest only to insiders or […]
The Mike Jacoby Electric Trio – Welcome to the Family
In this day and age of social media, where influencers constantly woo sponsors and opinions are carefully crafted to enrage, it seems the willingness to not take oneself too seriously is becoming a lost art form. Southern California’s Mike Jacoby is a light in that darkness. From an album cover shamelessly imitating Elvis and The […]
The Twangville 2026 Album Preview-Side B
Here are some albums that we’re looking forward to hearing in the back half of 2026… Material Witness by William Matheny (10 July) William Matheny brings pure rock and roll spirit to Material Witness, leaning heavy on electric guitars and hearty, driving rhythms. His lyrics crackle with authenticity and a wisened view, proving there’s still […]
The Hooters’ Eric Bazilian on Inflation and Street Gum Wisdom
Eric Bazilian, guitarist and singer-songwriter of The Hooters, recalls how the band’s early rehearsal space, a warehouse in a then-rough part of Philadelphia, became the birthplace of the band’s name and its first songs. He also reveals who between the band and crew gets the nicer tour bus when the Hooters are on the road.
Monday Morning Video – Austin Plaine
Some songs meet you exactly where you are — and then lift you somewhere better. Austin Plaine has a gift for that kind of winsome, quietly uplifting songwriting, and “Rise Above It” is a perfect example. It sits with the weight of hard-won experience before arriving at something that feels like grace. “Looking at the […]
Still in the Groove: Martha Reeves Keeps Searching
Photo courtesy Martha Reeves Martha Reeves has spent more than six decades giving people reasons to dance. Her voice powered Motown landmarks like “Dancing in the Street,” “Heat Wave,” “Jimmy Mack,” and “Nowhere to Run,” songs that still spill from radios and playlists with enough spark to lift a room. Now, as she approaches her […]
Ma Rainey – The Complete Paramount Recordings, 1923-1928
Editor’s Note: We invited Nashville artist and blues devotee Sophie Gault to dig into Ma Rainey’s Paramount recordings, arriving as a new box set on July 24. Sitting in the kitchen one summer night, you hear the sound of a muted trumpet leading into a song. It’s accompanied by a slight lingering static. While listening, […]