Tumbleweed, Jeremie Albino (from the Good People Record Co. release Tears You Hide) While Jeremie Albino may tease with 30 seconds of old-time pickin’ on album opener “Dance With Me”, he very quickly brings out the good time – and rowdy – fun that defines Tears You Hide. “Angeline”, the first full track, finds the […]
Cry Me a River – a Premiere from My Sister, My Brother
There’s something special when independent artists collaborate. I’m not talking about two songwriters sitting in a room to write a song together but rather when they weave their talents together to create a cohesive and collaborative piece of work. The results can be magical. Such is the story of Garrison Starr and Sean McConnell – […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2023 (So Far), the Songs
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) Amidst an album of dark and sobering ballads, de la Cour proves that he can rock with the best of ‘em. Simple Things, The Band of Heathens (from the BOH Records release Simple Things) Getting by on simple things, letting go […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2023 (So Far), the Albums
Stand in the Joy by William Prince Stand in the Joy is the kind of album that you can get lost in – Prince’s voice and songs are as soothing as they are poignant. Best listened to with your eyes closed. Sweet Anhedonia by Ben de la Cour Sweet Anhedonia is richly textured and darkly […]
Monday Morning Video – James Maddock and the Waterboys
Here’s a fun one to start the week. Back in 2012, New York-based James Maddock was joined by Mike Scott and Steve Wickham of The Waterboys for a rollicking – and epic – version of that band’s “Fisherman’s Blues”.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring, Part 3
Broken Heart of Mine, William Prince (from the Six Shooter Records release Stand in the Joy) “Is the moon shining bright where you are? Is it even shining at all?,” asks William Prince at the start of the outstanding “When You Miss Someone”, the lead track from his latest album. The song wistfully chronicles the […]
Jeremie Albino on His Tour Van “Marisol” and Time Spent Working as a Farm Laborer
Singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino talks about the racoons at his rehearsal space, playing weddings and wineries, and his approach to changing broken guitar strings.
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 […]