BALTO I was sold on Balto as soon as I heard the blistering slide on “Black Snake, Mojave Blues”, the sample track that they shared on their SXSW profile page. Seeing them live provided an exclamation point – I caught two exceptional raucous and greasy outdoor sets in the afternoon sun. The LA-based quartet were […]
SXSW 2019 – The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,000 bands and more than 20,000 attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even […]
Michael McDermott On the Spinal Tap Stonehenge Set and a Career’s Worth of Tour Vehicles
Singer-songwriter Michael McDermott talks about the improvised guitar strap at his first gig and his secret for eating well while on tour.
Steve Poltz Shares a Dirty Little Secret and Explains What “Eff” Means
Steve Poltz, troubadour, talks about being an opportunivore, touring like a millennial and why goats don’t play guitar.
Mayer’s Playlist for January/February 2019, Part 2
Jingle and Go, Ryan Bingham (from the Axster Bingham Records release American Love Song) Ryan Bingham stretches out on American Love Song, offering up a roadhouse full of of songs about on love, political commentary and boisterous escapades. Opener “Jingle and Go” kicks things off playfully, recalling Little Feat with its intertwined piano and slide […]
Trapper Schoepp on Getting Creative With His Merch and A Tour Van Called “Dick Van Dyke”
Milwaukee singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp shares a tip for touring and talks about celebrating Christmas with sad bastard songs.
Dallas Days and Fort Worth Nights – A Special Dallas Playlist
Burn It, Joshua Ray Walker (from the State Fair Records release Wish You Were Here) Texas has a rich tradition of extraordinary storytellers. Writers who weave exceptional stories filled with colorful characters that find themselves in situations both trying and humorous. With Wish You Were Here, his debut release, Joshua Ray Walker firmly establishes himself […]
Carsie Blanton On Two Lessons Learned and The Time She Almost Quit Music
New Orleans singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton talks about her storied rehearsal space called “The Watermelon”, sampling local cuisine while touring and making $50 at her first paid gig when she was 13.
Shawn Mullins on Why He Tours in a Minivan and a Fun First Job
Shawn Mullins talks about the loneliness of the road and the part of his job that he really enjoys.
The Twangville Early 2019 Release Preview
If the albums scheduled for release over the next few months are any indication, there’s a great year of music ahead of us. Here are just a few forthcoming long-players that we are eagerly anticipating in 2019. WHAT WILL YOU DO by LULA WILES(25 January on Smithsonian Folkways)The Boston trio have taken their time […]