Mike Zito is dependable. If you’re looking for searing, intense blues-rock guitar solos, he’s definitely your guy. Zito, a St. Louis native now based in Beaumont, Texas, is a self-taught guitar player whose career, until recent years, was largely a do-it-yourself project. He self-released several albums, including Superman, America’s Most Wanted and Slow It Down, before gaining exposure to a wider […]
A Premiere From J. Isaiah Evans and the Boss Tweed
Another week, another great new artist to introduce. This time it’s J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed from Dallas, Texas. If Evans’ name sound familiar, it should – he’s the driving force behind The 40 Acre Mule. With that group Evans gloriously explored the intersection of R&B and rock and roll, kicking up a […]
American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh.
Upon leaving the third and last night of American Aquarium’s Road Trip to Raleigh, one conclusion was obvious. B.J. Barham really knows how to throw a party. In fact, more than a party, it is a festival. Other bands do special weekend events to be sure, but Barham to his credit goes deep into his […]
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).
Monday Morning Video – Brandi Carlile
Let’s start the week with “The Story”, one of a growing list of Brandi Carlile classics. The switch from acoustic to electric guitar, the voice, the song – it doesn’t get much better.
Emanuel Casablanca – Strung Out on Thrills
Emanuel Casablanca’s billing says he’s an “outlaw-bluesman.” Whether he’s an outlaw or not, he certainly has a knack for aggressive blues-rock. (Note to self: resist the temptation to include a reference to the movie Casablanca.} The Brooklyn-based Casablanca is a painter, actor, and singer-songwriter who released his debut album, Blood on My Hands, in August […]
Monday Morning Video – Wayne Kramer & the MC5
You’d be hard-pressed to think of a rock band from the past 50 years that didn’t draw at least some influence from Detroit’s MC5. As a start, you can put any punk band in that category but their impact stretched far beyond the genre that they helped define. Wayne Kramer, the band’s co-founder, passed away […]
The Twangville Early 2024 Preview
Halfsies by Lizzie No (19 Jan) Brooklyn’s Lizzie No showcases the breadth of her talent on her forthcoming album. From folk to rock to pop – there’s a little bit of everything, all with an engaging indie vibe. Letting the Lions In by Dinty Child (19 Jan) Dinty Child is a mainstay of the Boston […]
James Mastro on Owning a Guitar Store and Why Musicians Should Be Loud and Proud
James Mastro talked about avoiding restaurants whose names ends in “’s” and reveals who the best customer is at his Hoboken, NJ guitar store.
Monday Morning Video – A Tribute to Nirvana
Thought we’d kick off the week with a great memory from last year. Back in September 2023, along with NYC musician (and friend of Twangville) Elisa Winter, we produced a tribute to Nirvana. Centered around the 30th anniversary of their classic In Utero, the show also featured other songs from their legendary catalog. Making the […]