At this point, Tinsley Ellis is pretty much recognized as a blues master. Usually a hard blues-rocker of the Stevie Ray Vaughn school, now with The Naked Truth he has released his first all-acoustic blues album – and it’s fantastic. A native Georgian who spent much of his childhood in Florida, Ellis played in Atlanta […]
Stoll Vaughan on Def Leppard’s Generosity and His Mentor’s Advice
Singer-songwriter Stoll Vaughan talks about building a home for his music and shares advice on rehearsing for tours.
Monday Morning Video – Brandi Carlile
Let’s start the week with “The Story”, one of a growing list of Brandi Carlile classics. The switch from acoustic to electric guitar, the voice, the song – it doesn’t get much better.
The Montvales – Born Strangers
Fate can be an interesting topic. You can accept it as the reason things happen, or question whether you can change it. In the case of lifelong friends Molly Rochelson and Sally Buice, both viewpoints feature in their sophomore album, Born Strangers. The pre-ordained side comes to bear as the Knoxville-raised women went their separate […]
Emanuel Casablanca – Strung Out on Thrills
Emanuel Casablanca’s billing says he’s an “outlaw-bluesman.” Whether he’s an outlaw or not, he certainly has a knack for aggressive blues-rock. (Note to self: resist the temptation to include a reference to the movie Casablanca.} The Brooklyn-based Casablanca is a painter, actor, and singer-songwriter who released his debut album, Blood on My Hands, in August […]
Louien on Matpakke and a Youthful Act of Defiance
Norwegian artist Louien talks about changing guitar strings, wonderful moments in her rehearsal space, and keeping on keeping on.
Monday Morning Video – Wayne Kramer & the MC5
You’d be hard-pressed to think of a rock band from the past 50 years that didn’t draw at least some influence from Detroit’s MC5. As a start, you can put any punk band in that category but their impact stretched far beyond the genre that they helped define. Wayne Kramer, the band’s co-founder, passed away […]
Crow and Gazelle Song Premiere – Take It Away
Chrislyn Lawrence and Mike McClure first met in 2003. Although they had an instant, soulful connection, life happened, and they continued on parallel paths. Mike gained considerable music credibility as the producer for such Red Dirt acts as Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Chrislyn’s path, besides developing her talent as a poet, […]
Trent Wagler of The Steel Wheels on Office Clutter and His Favorite Day Job
Trent Wagler of Virginia-based The Steel Wheels talks about a first song that prioritized rhyme over meaning and the importance of inner motivation.
Monday Morning Video – Dan Bern
As long-time readers know, I do like me a good kiss-off song. A literal read of the lyrics to Dan Bern’s “Baby Bye Bye” finds it more closure than kiss-off adjacent but I’d like to think there’s a hint of sarcasm in there. And you’re gone, it was time to flyAnd all that’s left is […]