When You’re Gone, Lydia Loveless (from the Honey You’re Gonna Be Late Records release Daughter) Daughter isn’t an easy album. Sure, the album has some strong and engaging melodies, not to mention the wonder that is the singer’s commanding voice. Yet it is also a lyrically and musically dense album, one that finds Loveless continuing […]
John Perrin of NRBQ on Tympani Repairs and Believing That Something Will Happen
Drummer John Perrin of NRBQ talks about getting banned from Enterprise rentals, bothering his parents, and double espressos.
Alright Alright – Crucible
Several years ago I voted for Jason Isbell’s Southeastern as #1 in our annual album poll. I kind of surprised myself at the time, because as awesome as the record was, the subject matter of many of the songs was dark. I found myself having to steel up a little before I hit play. I […]
A Twangville Premiere from John Pedigo’s Magic Pilsner
I’ve been waiting patiently for John Pedigo to release the follow-up to 2018’s self-titled release. Pedigo, with his Magic Pilsner compadres, have been taking their time on their sophomore release, in part due to Pedigo’s “side gig†as a producer extraordinaire for the likes of Joshua Ray Walker and others. And then pandemic. Without the ability to […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 2
Fine, Bonnie Whitmore (from the Aviatrix Records release Last Will & Testament) Bonnie Whitmore lulls you in with a chorus of harmonies on the opening track to her latest album. But before one can settle into the lushness, a fuzzy bass, quickly joined by ominous strings and a resonating electric guitar, interrupts to create a […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2020, Part 1
Remember It, The Northern Belle (from the Die With Your Boots On Records release We Wither, We Bloom) You’d never know from their music that The Northern Belle hails from Norway. Their brand of Americana is bathed in Southern California sunshine in more ways than one. This is music warm and lavish, not to mention […]
Tanya Donelly on “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Control Center” and Three Lessons Learned
Tanya Donelly talks about being rescued by Radiohead while touring in the midst of a blizzard and recalls some favorite day jobs.
Stine Andreassen on Working in a Record Store and Asking For Help
Stine Andreassen of The Northern Belle talks about playing a goat cheese festival, upgrading the band’s rehearsal space, and living in a country that supports the arts.
Monday Morning Video – Linda Ronstadt
I don’t often post full concert videos but this one is so, so worthy of it. Linda Rondstadt captured live at New Jersey’s Capitol Theater back in 1975. Sure, she plays a bunch of her many hits but Lowell George/Little Feat’s “Willin’” into Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross” into the Paul Anka-penned/Buddy Holly recorded […]
Tawny Ellis – Love Life
On pretty much any night of the week on network television, you can find a show featuring contestants with incredible vocal talents. What most of them are missing is soul. Not literally like soul music, but spiritually like the non-physical essence of someone. If you don’t know what that sounds like, you can hear it […]