I had the pleasure of joining Willie Nile at his 75th birthday show in Asbury Park, NJ over the weekend. We should all be so lucky to have as much energy as he brought to the stage for the celebration. Here are two versions “Heaven Help the Lonely”, a fave Nile song, captured nearly 30 […]
Monday Morning Video – Caitlin Rose
How about starting another week with a great pop song from a Nashville-based artist? This week’s choice is Caitlin Rose and her song “Getting It Right” from her 2022 album CAZIMI.
Alexander Wren – To Whom It May Concern,
Concept albums aren’t a new thing, of course. You may see them less frequently than you used to but they’re still around. Alexander Wren puts a new twist on them, though, with his debut full length album, To Whom It May Concern,. It’s an open letter to the universe: a combination of love letter to […]
Kiss Off – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 7
A few times over the years I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. There have […]
Kam Franklin of The Suffers on A Freak Pressure Event and Working at an Investment Bank
Singer-songwriter Kam Franklin of The Suffers shares an early lyric and talks about the band’s new rehearsal space.
Melissa Ruth on Suburus in Oregon and People in Flowy Clothing
Oregon-based singer-songwriter Melissa Ruth talks about her Honda Fit, bringing water bottles on tour, and the importance of teaching music in public schools.
Monday Morning Video – Tristen
I’m a sucker for a great pop song and this is a classic toe tapper. Nashville’s Tristen performing “Glass Jar” from her 2017 release Sneaker Waves.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 2
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) There isn’t a lot of sunshine in Ben de la Cour’s music and Sweet Anhedonia is no exception. Heck, the album is titled after the condition of not being able to experience pleasure. But that’s part of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s magic […]
Tim O’Brien – Cup of Sugar
Heading into June, the heart of festival season, I’ve been thinking about some of the pioneers of the progressive bluegrass movement. Robbie Fulks’ excellent new record contributed to that reminisce, as did the arrival of the latest album from Nashvillian, by way of Colorado and West Virginia, Tim O’Brien. It’s called Cup of Sugar and […]
Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies on The Band’s Rehearsal Space and Working at a Record Store
Michael Timmins of Cowboy Junkies shares some notable breakdown stories and the band’s first gig.