It’s not that unusual for roots artists (blues, rock, bluegrass, country) to develop their sound and hone their chops in America before finding a strong audience in Europe. What’s much rarer is for a musician to find their musical calling in Europe before coming to the US to build their career. That’s just what Cristina […]
Ron Pope – American Man, American Music
There’s a famous lyric from Hank Williams, Jr., that asks “why must you live out the songs that you wrote.” In the case of Nashville’s Ron Pope, his signature move is the reverse: to write songs about the life he’s lived. You can argue that’s what many songwriters do, but in Pope’s case he has […]
Monday Morning Video – Jellyfish
I’m fortunate to have gotten to see many of my favorite artists perform live. Of course there are a few that slipped through the cracks. One of them was Jellyfish. The group crafted perfect pop songs, all enriched by their glorious harmonies. They only released two albums – Bellybutton and Spilt Milk, both of which […]
“Can You Feel It?” – a Video Premiere From DB Edmunds
Sometimes one needs an escape from reality and what better way to do it than by losing oneself in a glorious power pop song. It’s a sentiment that North Carolina-based DB Edmunds apparently took to heart with his latest video. It finds Edmunds and his band blasting into the future with spaceships and a landscape […]
Bonus Monday Video – Jeremie Albino
Jeremie Albino released one of my favorite albums in 2024 and he’s taking it on the road in 2025. I caught night two of his US tour and it lived up to the high expectations set by the record… and then some. Albino and his band delivered a show that was raw, raucous, and a […]
Monday Morning Video – Garth Hudson and The Band
We lost a giant last week with the passing of Garth Hudson, the last surviving member of The Band. The group The classically trained multi-instrumentalist was a quiet force within the group, one whose contributions helped define their sound. Here are a few choice Garth moments. First, “The Genetic Method/Chest Fever” where Hudson’s expansive solo […]
Johnny Hickman of Cracker on Renting Tour Vans and the “Steely Dan” Method
Cracker co-founder Johnny Hickman talks about his strategy for avoiding overpriced breakfasts while on tour, why he enjoyed his last non-music day job, and the song that he wrote for Elvis.
The Twangville Early 2025 Preview
Astrovan: The Love Song Vignettes by Humbird (10 Jan) Humbird’s slow trickling of singles over the past couple months has us primed for their newest full length. Landing somewhere musically between Bjork and Neil Young, these short tunes showcase Siri Undlin’s sweet vocals. (Todd Mathis) Bloom by Larkin Poe (24 Jan) Megan and Rebecca Lovell […]
Tommy Castro on Protein Shakes and a Favorite Non-Music Day Job
Soul-blues rocker Tommy Castro talks about playing for beer at his first gig and reflects on what blues music has become.
Monday Morning Video – Lucero Unplugged
Memphis’ Lucero personify fortitude and commitment to craft. For more than two decades, the group has delivered a steady mix of boisterous rock songs and heartbreaking ballads, much to the delight of fans who turn their live shows into high octane sing-along affairs. At the core, however, are the songs. And what better way to […]