What’s the deal with surfer-turned-musicians lately? There’s Jack Johnson, Tristan Prettyman and now Matt Costa. Well, diverging slightly, Costa is skateboarder-turned-musician. Regardless of the subtle difference, it seems that he is closely associated with the aformentioned Johnson. You’ll find him on Brushfire Records home of Johnson and pal G. Love. Costa’s “Songs We Sing” mostly […]
Mayer’s Playlist for February & March 2006
Sure, I know that March is nearly over. Between my day job and my preparations for SXSW, however, time got away from me. Stay tuned for the complete SXSW recap… Feb. 14, Drive-By Truckers (from the forthcoming A Blessing and a Curse) A fine preview that proves the band’s legendary triple guitar attack remains intact. […]
Party Like It’s 1899
In the 200 years since Irish-Scots settlers crossed the broad Atlantic, their instruments, tunes and stories have dramatically affected the music of the Appalachian region, an antecedent of many of the rootsy styles we lovingly call “Twang.” Irish Folk and traditional Celtic music is a proud living tradition, rich in history, poetic, entertaining, and intensely […]
Album Review: Bruce Springsteen – Hammersmith Odeon London ’75
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Hammersmith Odeon London ’75 Rock / Pop / Soul The legendary, oft-bootlegged Odeon concert was finally “officially” released in DVD form as part of the Born to Run: 30th Anniversary 3-disc box. Though the box also included the long-awaited Born to Run remaster and a DVD about the […]
Notable Releases: March 7, 2006
Its a big week for releases and here are a few top picks… Centro-matic, Fort Recovery Will Johnson could be rock’s most prolific songwriter. He has consistently put out several albums each year under his own name and with the bands South San Gabriel and Centro-Matic. Its the last incarnation that is behind this new […]
Listen to KT Tunstall’s “Eye to the Telescope”
Check out up and coming folk pop star KT Tunstall’s full release “Eye to the Telescope” on ARTISTdirect.com. Its so refreshing to see someone new to the pop scene that carries some solid songwriting, outstanding acoustic guitar and bluesy vocals. For her, I’m going to start an early campaign for Best New Artist of 2006. […]
Check Out Jon Nicholson’s “Stereo”
They say that we all benefit from artists’ pain and sacrifice. Well here’s one tale that proves the point. A few years back, the drummer in Jon Nicholson’s former band broke into the band’s storage locker, stole all the gear and pawned it for cash. Nicholson took the tale and turned into this great track. […]
Check out The Minus 5
The Minus 5 released their seventh full length album this week. The self-titled album is being referred to as “The Gun Album” due to the handgun pictured on the cover (or is it the gunpowder laden tracks?). Already loaded with talent, guest appearances include Peter Buck, Jeff Tweedy, John Wesley Harding and more. Give the […]
Check out City-State
Every now and then I run into someone I work with living my own dream, to play in a band. This time around its John Mahlinha drummer of DC act, city-state. The band lists The Cure, Interpol, Joy Division, Radiohead, Versus, British Sea Power and Coldplay as influences on their MySpace page. I can’t help […]
Notable Releases: February 7, 2006
I second Tom’s recommendation on the Peter Case Tribute disc. The following releases are also hitting your local and online record stores are worth considering: Will Hoge, The Man Who Killed Love At long last, Will Hoge releases a new studio album. Hoge has been previewing a track a week on his mySpace and PureVolume […]