There is a long list of associations promoting music and providing resources to artist members and guests, from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (the Grammy people) down to local bluegrass organizations in the hollers of Appalachia. Most of them have some sort of festival or event as a fund-raiser, not only to […]
“The Sun” – a Premiere from Beth // James
It seems like there is a tremendous amount of pain and suffering in the world these days. In times like these, music can offer a welcome salve. The latest single from Austin’s Beth // James – the husband/wife duo of Mikaela Beth and Jordan James Burchill – provides such a musical moment. “The Sun” starts […]
Wesley Dean on Meeting Locals and Walking Many Roads
Nashville by way of Adelaide, Australia singer-songwriter Wesley Dean talks about taking a break from music, being patient, and carving his own way.
Monday Morning Video – The HawtThorns
Nashville’s The HawtThorns passed through NYC a few weeks ago to promote Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars, their latest release. The collection is a wonderful blend of roots and soul that is centered around KP Hawthorn’s powerful voice and Johnny Hawthorn’s magical guitar. Here’s “Let’s Get Together”, a fave from the album, performed live in […]
Don McCloskey – The Chaos And the Beauty
If you’re a regular reader you know we cover more than just twangy music. Whether it’s rock or blues or folk, the thread that ties them to country or bluegrass is their rootsy foundation. So when I read that Philadelphian Don McCloskey took a lot of inspiration from 80’s musical icons Peter Gabriel and Paul […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022
Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions) Oklahoma’s Wood Willow – the duo of Becca Herrod and Joel Parks – introduce themselves in fine fashion with Southern Intentions, Wood Willow (from the self-released Southern Intentions). Their debut’s ten tracks shift effortlessly between between sweet (“You’ve Got Me”, “Birds”) and brooding (“On With the […]
John Doe on Guitar Strings, Ballpoint Pens, and Intuition
Musician, songwriter, and actor John Doe talks about giving away his tour van and finding coffee, cigarettes, and beer on the road.
Monday Morning Video – Rosie Flores
Over the weekend I was reminded of our interview with Rosie Flores. It’s one of my favorites, filled with stories of a career more than four decades long – and one that’s still rollin’. Here’s Flores performing “You Tear Me Up” for Ditty TV back in 2019.
Zach Willdee – Heart That Ain’t Tame
The paths and circumstances leading a musician to record their first album are as varied as life itself. Frequently, they work years so they’re prepared to take full advantage of whatever break presents itself. There’s also a contingent that gets there through sheer perseverance and gutting it out. The debut record from Nashville artist Zach […]
Stanhope – Static
Static is a funny thing. Mathematically it’s noise, typically random. The purists abhor it because it wasn’t there at the source. Yet it’s been shown to increase the perception of how real or genuine the recording is because, you know, nothing’s perfect. Chris Rawlins, the real-world name of Chicago musician Stanhope, applied that idea by […]