While we here on the Twangville staff spend a lot of time listening to music with banjos and fiddles, we’re all suckers for a really good power pop song.  A little jangly guitar, a sing-along chorus and great harmonies, and a driving bass and drum beat.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  Coming out of […]
Who Do I Know In Dallas – A Special Twangville Playlist
Saginaw Paper Mill, Ronnie Fauss (from the New West Records release Last of the True) There are some albums that just radiate fun, even when the music and lyrics veer towards melancholy. Take one listen to “Big Umbrella”, a ramshackle ode to love gone wrong on Ronnie Fauss’s new release, and you’ll see what I […]
Monday Morning Video: Richard Edwards
Earlier this year former Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s frontman Richard Edwards released the sublime Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset. Whereas the album itself was immaculately crafted with minimalist pop orchestrations, the solo acoustic versions of the songs from this live performance are hauntingly beautiful. As if to reinforce the understated nature of his […]
Americana 2017: Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances […]
Americana 2017: Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances […]
Monday Morning Video – Colin Hay
It takes a lot – talent and then some – to sustain a nearly 40 year career in the music industry. In a recent performance, Colin Hay illustrated why he is on that list. In fact, I’d argue that he has gotten better. Sure, his classic Men at Work hits are deservedly ubiquitous. Hay didn’t […]
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 2
Climb the Ladder, The Rationales (from the self-released Upstream) I’m a sucker for great power pop and have long enjoyed The Rationales, who have consistently been among Boston’s finest practitioners. Their latest release not only continues that trend, it raises the bar a few notches higher. The band’s line-up has evolved over the past few […]
Well You Heard About The Boston… Playlist, Part 1
Ex-Girlfriends Cost Less Money Than Ex-Wives, Greg Klyma (from the self-released Never Knew Caroline) There are some artists who are tireless students of music, constantly exploring the historical corners of country, blues and folk to better understand the anatomy of song. Greg Klyma is one of them. In fact, for several years he has brought […]
Monday Morning Video – A Premiere from Paul Kelly
I’ve written about Paul Kelly on many occasions and with good reason – he is quite simply one of the greatest songwriters of his generation. Given that he has been releasing albums for more than 35 years, that puts him in some rarified air. Over the past several years, he has been on a particularly […]
Monday Morning Video – Shane Nicholson
Yeah, I know Shane Nicholson has just released a new album. Truth be told, I haven’t heard it yet as I’m still stuck on his previous release. Here are two standouts from 2015’s Hell Breaks Loose, both heartfelt reflections on on life as a parent.