I’m not sure the debate over nature versus nurture will ever get resolved, but there’s no doubt you absorb some of the culture of anywhere you live for an extended period of time. My proof point to that is the title track from Oakland’s Jill Rogers and her band Crying Time’s latest album, Many Worlds […]
Eric Bibb – Ridin’
Eric Bibb isn’t trying to impress anyone. As one of the world’s preeminent living bluesmen, he doesn’t have to. But he does want you to know what he thinks, what he values. And he does just that with Ridin’, the powerful follow-up to his open letter to all of us, Dear America, which was released […]
Chickasaw Mudd Puppies on Rehearsal Space Hootenannies and Their Approach to Tour Vehicles
Athens, GA’s Chickasaw Mudd Puppies talk about the first songs that they wrote, harmonica inflation, and how the band got its name.
Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello On Guitar String Sculptures and His Approach to Songwriting
Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz talks about the time the band’s tour bus starting sliding backwards off a hill, the Hütz Superfood Roadside Café, and the reviews from his first gig.
Monday Morning Video – Guy Clark’s “Hell Bent on a Heartache”
I was looking for a video of Clark performing his brilliant ode to heartbreak but, alas, I couldn’t find one. Of the covers that I did find, this one by Korby Lenker and Betsy Phillips best captured the longing and loneliness of Clark’s song.
Austin Gilliam Premiere – A Little Dirt
Growing up in a musically-inclined family in south Texas, Austin Gilliam was probably exposed to every genre and sub-genre of music that falls under the Americana umbrella. It wasn’t until he moved to New Braunfels and fell in with a singer-songwriter crowd that he found his voice and style. That voice is perfect for heartfelt […]
Marc Broussard – S.O.S. 4, Blues for Your Soul
If a tornado came through and took my home and all my possessions, and all that the wind had decided to leave me was the shirt on my back, I’d be alright. That’s the feeling I got from the sounds of Marc Broussard’s S.O.S 4, Blues For Your Soul. This album is a potpourri of […]
Larry & Joe – Nuevo South Train
One of the most amazing things I heard at this year’s Folk Alliance was a performance from Larry & Joe. Comprised of Larry Bellorin, a legendary Llanera musician from Venezuela, and Joe Troop, of Che Apalache fame, they created a new mashup of bluegrass and South American traditional folk music. Both currently residents of North […]
Darren Jessee on his J45 Guitar and Living Room Rehearsals
Darren Jessee talks about touring as a freelance drummer and his first sole songwriter credit for an official release.
Monday Morning Video – Lucinda Williams
I referenced this song in my SXSW coverage last week so figured that I’d share the video this week. This is Lucinda Williams performing “Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings”.