Breaking a Heart/The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, and Jon Randall (from the Sony Music Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) If you thought their song “Tin Man” was achingly beautiful, they’ve got a few more from their time in Marfa that just might make your eyes a little misty. I couldn’t decide […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2021 (So Far), the Albums
J.T. by Steve Earle & The Dukes Steve Earle’s moving tribute to his late son Justin Townes Earle is an emotional gut punch. Yet beyond the tragedy of the younger Earle’s passing, the elder Earle’s performances of his son’s songs highlight their shared gift of songwriting and storytelling mastery. Be warned, though, that the closing […]
Nobody’s Girl – Nobody’s Girl
Back in 2017 three friends (BettySoo, Grace Pettis & Rebecca Loebe) decided to do a tour together as set of singer-songwriters, you know, just a few weeks, a one-time shot. Long story short, they had so much fun the trio decided to temporarily set aside their personal projects and form a group, Nobody’s Girl. They […]
Quit Breaking My Heart – A Premiere from Chris J. Norwood
Chris J. Norwood has been known to tackle some serious and personal topics in his songs. He takes a slightly different tack on the latest single from his forthcoming I Am Not Cool. Well, sort of. “I Need You (To Quit Breaking My Heart)â€, a duet with his wife Carrie, captures the back and forth […]
Tommy Dunbar of the Rubinoos on The Blue Whale and the Importance of Pre-Production
Rubinoos guitarist Tommy Dunbar talks about empty Dannon yogurt containers and dissects the first song that he wrote.
Monday Morning Video – Hothouse Flowers “Give It Up”
Long-time readers may recall that I like to listen to my iPod on shuffle. I love the surprise when it randomly reminds me of a favorite song from years gone by. Last week it pulled out this gem from Ireland’s Hothouse Flowers. I’m particularly enamored with this live version circa 2014, complete with a horn […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2021, Part 2
The Wind’s Just Gonna Blow, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall, and Jack Ingram (from the Vanner Records/RCA Nashville release The Marfa Tapes) Lambert, Randall, and Ingram. Kind of sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it? In this case it’s a trio of songwriters who have just released some intimate recordings from their writing retreats in Marfa, […]
Justin Currie of Del Amitri on the Difference Between the Possible and the Probable
Justin Currie of Del Amitri talks about train ticket vouchers, working as a poisoner, and buffing guitar strings.
Paula Cole on Rock ‘n’ Roll Minivans and Seeking Truth in Song
Singer-songwriter Paula Cole talks about local health food stores, making music with an experimental, fluid mindset, and the most important life decision.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2021, Part 1
Deep End, Joe Pug (from the Nation of Heat Records release The Diving Sun) What began as a collection of archival material emerges as a full-fledged album, complete with some wonderful new compositions. All flow with the grace and melodic charm that are Pug hallmarks. The Diving Sun is a mix of quiet acoustic and […]