A few times over the years I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. There have […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 2
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) There isn’t a lot of sunshine in Ben de la Cour’s music and Sweet Anhedonia is no exception. Heck, the album is titled after the condition of not being able to experience pleasure. But that’s part of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s magic […]
Shift – A Premiere from Lauren Calve
Change is inevitable. Sometimes we don’t see it coming, but other times there are early hints that it is occurring. That’s the premise behind the lead single from Lauren Calve’s forthcoming album. “Found a gray hair on my sweater, tectonic plates slip underwater”, she opens the song, “I feel a shift”. The singer-songwriter’s thoughts then […]
George Gekas of The Revivalists On Managing Tour Food Costs and Building the Right Team
Bassist George Gekas of New Orleans’ The Revivalists recalls the moment that he decided to become a musician and earning a “masters in psychology” while working as a bartender.
Monday Morning Video – Anthony Da Costa
Anthony Da Costa spends much of time as an in-demand side man, performing with everyone from Sunny War to Yola to David Wax Museum. Left to his own devices, however, he is quite the singer-songwriter. Here’s “Everybody Want’s Their Person”, captured live in Nashville last year.
Brian Beken – New Geography
You know, something you don’t hear as much about these days is fiddle contests. They’re certainly still around, but it used to be that every county fair and Town Founders Days celebration had a fiddle contest alongside the animals-raised-by-kids judging and best pie battle. That (mostly) friendly musical competition environment and heritage nurtured a young […]
Monday Morning Video – Roanoke
Another of my favorite SXSW discoveries this year was the band Roanoke. “If You’re Gonna Leave” – from 2022’s Wolf Motel is a particular favorite. If you’ve seen it, tell me that this shouldn’t have been the theme song of the Amazon series “Daisy Jones and the Six”.
Alexander Beggins of Wild Child on Hummus and Getting Stranded in Canada
Alexander Beggins of indie rock band Wild Child talks about the band’s approach to their first album and the importance of appreciating little moments and tiny victories.
Monday Morning Video – Annie Hamilton
Annie Hamilton was one of my favorite discoveries at this year’s SXSW. As this song illustrates, the melodic intensity of her music is captivating.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 1
Rockaway, Brian Dunne (from the Kill Rock Stars release Loser on the Ropes) Brian Dunne sets a clear tone for his latest album with its title. Loser on the Ropes chronicles life in a troubled world, focused on the personal rather than the geo-political. The characters in his songs are often taking stock of their […]