Los Angeles-based Calling Cadence have been a pleasant earworm for my this year. The songs on their debut album are acoustic-based but with an inherent funkiness that comes from smooth organ and electric piano and plenty of bass grooves. And then there are the vocals of band leaders Oscar Bugarin and Rae Cole, each strong […]
A Little Boston in Your Attitude – A Special Boston Playlist
Follow, Susan Cattaneo (from the Jersey Girl Music release All Is Quiet) It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that Susan Cattaneo taught songwriting at Berklee School of Music for many years. Her songs are wonderfully crafted, filled with meaning and musical grace. Her latest album may be stripped down in terms of arrangements, […]
The Twangville Summer/Fall 2022 Release Preview
All This Life by Parker Twomey (15 July) Parker Twomey’s debut has a freewheeling and airy vibe, not to mention a maturity that belies his age. Lava Lamp by Jonah Tolchin (15 July) Tolchin steps away from his more restrained and often acoustic-based previous work to serve up one heck of a rock album. Nation […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2022 (So Far), the Songs
Meant to Be, BER & Charlie Oriain (from the self-released And I’m Still Thinking About That) A wonderful discovery at this year’s SXSW… and one of my favorite songs so far this year. But I think you’re the one for someone else And that shit’s hard to say It’s okay, you feel the same and I can […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2022 (So Far), the Albums
Twilights by Jesper Lindell Sweden’s Lindell makes true Americana that channels the spirit of the Band, a point he emphasizes with a great cover of that group’s “Twilight”. It’s Lindell’s own compositions and the arrangements that bring the songs to life, however, that make Twilights such a memorable experience. How Long Will It Take Them […]
Box O’ Wine – A Premiere from Wood Willow
Fresh from dazzling the crowd at the Twangville Sunday Social in Dallas earlier this month, Wood Willow are back to premiere the latest video from Southern Intentions, their debut album. The song, with its jazzy vibe, demonstrates the band’s versatility while also showcasing the interlaced vocals of Joel Parks and Becca Herrod Parks. The video, […]
Shanna In A Dress – Robot
There’s one in every high school class. The kid that’s smart enough to talk to the geeks, hip enough to be accepted by the cool kids, and sincere enough to be liked by the parents. I’m pretty sure Shanna Hoar, musically known as Shanna In A Dress, was one of those kids. She just released […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2022, Part 2
Westcoast Rain, Jesper Lindell (from the Rootsy Music release Twilights) I’ll say it up front – Jesper Lindell’s latest plays like a long lost album by The Band. It’s more – much more – than the fact that he covers that group’s wonderful “Twilight” or that Amy Helm makes a guest appearance on the album. […]
Monday Morning Video – Dallas House Show Preview
In Dallas-Ft. Worth? Can you get to Dallas-Ft. Worth? If so, come join Twangville next Sunday as we host a backyard concert with a few stellar artists – Alex Wong from Nashville, TN, Wood Willow from Oklahoma City, OK, and DFW’s own Brandon Callies. Here’s a preview playlist that highlights songs from each artist’s latest […]
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 […]