Hat tip to NPR and their current fundraising drive for reminding me of Roy Orbison’s greatness. Just take a look at the artists who came together to honor Orbison back in 1988. The background vocalists included Bonnie Raitt, kd lang, and J.D. Souther. The band included Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, and T Bone […]
Bonus Monday Morning Video – Wait, There’s Another Dallas Show?!
What’s better than one show in Dallas? How about two! Yup, before we gather in the back yard on April 28th, we’re gonna meet up at Double Wide, a Dallas institution, on the 24th for a big ol’ rock show. Tickets and info here. How’s this for a line-up: Here’s a video playlist to get […]
Bridget Kearney on Macrobars, Paul McCartney, and Working at Fenway Park
Bridget Kearney, solo artist and founding member of Lake Street Dive, talks about a good omen ahead of her band’s first show at Madison Square Garden, her evolving view on making music videos, and the time she broke the windshield of a taxi in Shanghai, China.
Mira Goto – Before
Humans have always spent a lot of energy trying to outdo each other, and social media has supercharged all the motivations causing that. So it’s a nice change to run across someone who’s comfortable with just who they are. Santa Cruz, CA, native Mira Goto acknowledges “there are always going to be better guitar players […]
SXSW 2024: The Sounds, Part 3
The Lottery Winners My last official SXSW set was delivered by one of my fave new artist discoveries – England’s The Lottery Winners. The band’s energy, combined with the positivity of their songs, made for a cathartic experience. Ben Kweller Kweller treated a Friday night crowd to a set filled with rockin’ fan favorites. Power […]
SXSW 2024: The Sounds, Part 2
Alejandro Escovedo I’d like to say that Escovedo is the elder statesman of SXSW, which he undoubtedly is, but it really doesn’t do him justice. He rocked SXSW as hard, arguably harder, than musicians a fraction of his age. I caught him three times through the week, each appearance unique. The stand-out was a small […]
SXSW 2024: The Sounds, Part 1
Kathleen Edwards I don’t recall this ever happening before, but this year I kicked off SXSW with one of my favorite sets of the week. Kathleen Edwards performed solo (save a brief appearance by Lauren Morrow on harmony vocals), highlighting songs from throughout her illustrious career plus a new one. Attitude, charm, and great music. […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Early 2024
The Heartbreak Store, Lizzie No (from the Thirty Tigers / Miss Freedomland release Halfsies) Lizzie No’s remarkable Halfsies is warmly fulfilling, even as it explores the depth of heartbreak. No sets the tone with the powerful and percussive title track, declaring: Even your love is a one lane roadIt’s honor among thievesDive in head first, […]
Introducing Golden Everything: A Twangville Premiere
Golden Everything give new meaning to the term passion project. The brand new group is the Nashville-based husband and wife duo of Zach Schmidt and Jackie Berkley. So it’s fitting that the group’s debut single is an unabashed – and wonderful – love song. Says Schmidt about the song: I wrote this song while Jackie […]
Phil Hurley on Deep Dish Pizza and Breaking Strings on Borrowed Guitars
Austin singer-songwriter Phil Hurley talks about working in guitar stores in Austin and LA and talks about the reason to get into music (and a reason not to get into music).