This week we’ll celebrate the late Karl Wallinger, who would have turned 68 yesterday. As the creative force behind World Party, Wallinger had a gift for writing songs that were simple and sublime yet deeply moving. “She’s the One” is a perfect example: a love song that builds into something transcendent, carried by his distinctive […]
The Grahams – The Bridge
When we last checked into our Americana travelogue protagonists, Alyssa and Doug Graham, they had just finished the third segment in a 3-part journey across the landscape. It was a motorcycle ride down Route 66, and was preceded by a train tour of the country and a Mississippi riverboat cruise. For their newest release, The […]
John Stirratt of The Autumn Defense on Borrowed Tour Vans and Avoiding the “New String” Sound
John Stirratt of The Autumn Defense and Wilco talks about why music has thrived when the music industry has collapsed and compares working in a restaurant kitchen to being in a band.
Chestnut Vibes on a Saturday Night – A Boston Playlist
Promised Land, Ward Hayden and the Outliers (from the Faster Horses Recordings release Little By Little) On Little By Little, Ward Hayden and the Outliers take on Bruce Springsteen’s songs with both respect and imagination, reshaping them in their distinctive country style. Hayden’s expressive vocals and the band’s warm, rootsy sound give these classics new […]
AmericanaFest 2025, Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
SOPHIE GAULT Sophie Gault kept busy at AmericanaFest this year. I managed to catch her three times—solo, with the SiriusXM house band, and with her own crew—each performance more electrifying than the previous. There’s something about an artist finally making music on her own terms, and the new songs she previewed suggest her 2026 album […]
AmericanaFest 2025, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
kirby baby Two sets from Brooklyn’s kirby baby meant double the proof that his razor-edged indie rock songs are built for live performance. Whether solo or with his full band—I saw both—the material from his new album crackled with the same intensity. JADE BIRD Bird’s magnetic presence commanded Third Man Records’ legendary Blue Room as […]
Monday Morning Video – Crowded House
What does it sound like when upwards of 200,000 people sing along with the band? Something like this. Here’s Crowded House singing their nearly 40 year old classic “Don’t Dream It’s Over” at Glastonbury in 2022.
Twangville Sunday Social: October 19th in Dallas
We haven’t said much about it, but Twangville is turning 20! For two decades, we’ve been shining a light on the musical artists who inspire us – from up-and-comers to familiar favorites. Along the way, we’ve built a tradition of presenting live shows in backyards and music venues that bring that same passion to life. […]
Monday Morning Video – Harry Nilsson
We’re gonna travel back 50 years for this week’s Monday Morning Video. In 1975 legendary songwriter Harry Nilsson appeared on The Smothers Brothers tv show to talk about songwriting – “song construction” in his words – and play a few songs. He kicks things off with “I Guess the Lord Must Live in New York […]
Monday Morning Video – Michigander
Michigander, the nom de plume of singer-songwriter Jason Singer, have been plying the trade for a decade yet only released a debut album earlier this year. The self-titled release remains one of the best power pop albums of the year. Here are two songs from said album performed acoustic style (“I’ll Be OK” and “Giving […]