Renowned singer-songwriter Glenn Tilbrook recalls a time when a show audience lent him a helping hand and shares the first song that he ever wrote (later recorded by Squeeze on their first EP).
Monday Morning Video – Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg is among the artists who released an album in 2021 and is finally able to support it with a tour in 2022. Bragg is about to hit the road through portions of the US and Canada (dates listed below) to showcase songs from The Million Things That Never Happened and, undoubtedly, others from […]
Moontricks – Currents
Imagine you’re driving through a winding valley deep in the mountains of British Columbia when you happen upon a barn along the side of the road. You stop, open the door to investigate, and it’s a full-on rave; keyboards, synthesizers, flashing strobes, and a bass line threatening to turn your insides to jelly. Oh, and […]
Freedy Johnston on Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” and Lessons Learned at Early Gigs
Singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston talks about regaining the publishing rights to his early albums and quotes Jonathan Richman on his approach to rehearsals.
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022, Part 2
Nobody’s Coming to Get You, Fantastic Cat (from the Blue Rose Music release The Very Best of Fantastic Cat) It takes some chutzpah to call your debut album “The Best Of” but Fantastic Cat darn sure deliver the goods with their first album. The group’s four singer-songwriters, each talented in their own right, come together […]
Monday Morning Video – The Dales
I kicked off my weekend with a fine set from L.A.’s The Dales. The trio’s sound is defined by their immaculate harmonies, which were on full display at the show. The set featured songs from the group’s forthcoming Multi Trick Pony. Among the songs on the album is “Jar of Hearts”, co-written by The Dales’ […]
Monday Morning Video – Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe took advantage of an off night while touring with Elvis Costello (“Elvis has a more leisurely work ethic”, he quipped) to play a small club in Queens, New York City. Backed by the mysterious Los Straightjackets, Lowe reminded why he is a revered pop songwriter. The set list included lots of Lowe classics, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Summer 2022
Clean Getaway, Caroline Spence (from the Rounder Records release True North) Caroline Spence looks at relationships from a myriad of perspectives on her wonderous new True North. “Blue Sky Rain” and “Clean Getaway” focus on their failure with a thoughtful clarity. “You never see it coming, only see it pass,” she sings on “Blue Sky […]
Newport Folk 2022 – the Twangville Recap
The fog seemed to foreshadow Joni Mitchell as it rolled in, surrounding the peninsula housing the War of 1812-era Fort Adams that makes up the venue of the Newport Folk Festival, after a weekend of intense sun and heat. There had been whispers all weekend about special guests; rumors of Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Jimmy […]
Lydia Luce on a Favorite Songwriting Gig and Working as a Session Violinist
Songwriter and musician Lydia Luce talks about touring in a school bus, making smoothie bowls on the road, and growing up in the classical music world.