Astrovan: The Love Song Vignettes by Humbird (10 Jan) Humbird’s slow trickling of singles over the past couple months has us primed for their newest full length. Landing somewhere musically between Bjork and Neil Young, these short tunes showcase Siri Undlin’s sweet vocals. (Todd Mathis) Bloom by Larkin Poe (24 Jan) Megan and Rebecca Lovell […]
Tommy Castro on Protein Shakes and a Favorite Non-Music Day Job
Soul-blues rocker Tommy Castro talks about playing for beer at his first gig and reflects on what blues music has become.
Monday Morning Video – Lucero Unplugged
Memphis’ Lucero personify fortitude and commitment to craft. For more than two decades, the group has delivered a steady mix of boisterous rock songs and heartbreaking ballads, much to the delight of fans who turn their live shows into high octane sing-along affairs. At the core, however, are the songs. And what better way to […]
Ian Fisher on His Favorite Regional Foods and The Future of Local DIY Scenes
Singer-songwriter Ian Fisher talks about his philosophy of guitar strings and rehearsing on his family’s farm in Missouri.
Monday Morning Video – Jesse Malin
Some may know the story of Jesse Malin. The longtime cornerstone of New York’s East Village music scene suffered a traumatic spinal stroke in 2023, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The singer-songwriter, who has long preached “positive mental attitude”, persevered through months of medical treatments and physical therapy with the hope of returning […]
Shawn’s 25 Favs of 2024
1) Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well She raised her game to a new level. The insight and emotion in some of the songs on this record really do make me think that cardinal was John Prine. I’m not sure there’s been a better song ever about growing up than the title track. 2) Billy Strings […]
Ben Chapman – Downbeat
Road house, honky tonk, dive bar. It doesn’t matter what you call the place, across rural America they’re the name for a drinking establishment with live music, frequently located near the crossroads of a couple of (sort of) major highways. The music can be from a few different genres, but the characteristics of the set […]
Sarah McCombie of Chatham Rabbits on Venue Merch Cuts, Authenticity, and Touring in “The Rig”
Sarah McCombie of North Carolina folk duo Chatham Rabbits shares the story behind how they found their tour RV and talks about the good old days.
Bonus Monday Video – More on Buddy Holly
Rounding out Buddy Holly Monday, here are Dion, Graham Nash, Paul McCartney, and Ronnie Wood talking about the legendary Lubbock, Texas artist. Dion talks about time spent with Holly and sings “Rave On”. Nash talks about and plays Holly’s guitar, crooning “Peggy Sue”. McCartney and Wood dissect and perform “Peggy Sue”.
Monday Morning Video – Buddy Holly “Not Fade Away”
I fell down a Buddy Holly rabbit hole this weekend. It had been a while, but it was great to remind myself of how impressive a talent Holly was. And how inspirational. Below is a playlist that features a jaw-dropping collection of artists performing just a single song from the Holly catalog – “Not Fade […]