Canyon, Joshua Ray Walker (from the State Fair Records release Wish You Were Here) Talk about making a statement on your debut album. Walker’s moving acoustic ballad is both a highly personal reflection on his father’s battle with cancer and his own desire to be a better person. Simply stunning. Full Moon Goodbye, Michael McDermott […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2019 (So Far), the Albums
Orphans by Michael McDermott It speaks volumes about Michael McDermott’s songwriting prowess that the songs that make up Orphans were originally written for his last few albums but were left sitting on the shelf. In some ways this is fairly relaxed record by McDermott standards, but it still packs a powerful emotional punch. Key Tracks: […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2019, Part 2
All Some Kind of Dream, Josh Ritter (from the Pytheas Recordings release Fever Breaks) Josh Ritter is one of the most literate songwriters of these times, waxing poetic as easily as unleashing fiery commentary. He sets the tone early on the newly released Fever Breaks with “Ground Don’t Want Me” a somewhat jubilant melody and […]
Mike Jacoby – Long Beach Calling
What came first, the chicken or the egg. Did Mike Jacoby write songs honoring The Clash and Elvis before he knew about the album artwork connection? Or, did he pen one of the songs after discovering the London Calling and Elvis Presley sleeves? Either way, his latest collection of originals, Long Beach Calling, puts an […]
Dylan LeBlanc Talks About An Awkward Day Job and Driving Without Brakes
Singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc describes the bar in the band’s rehearsal space and the school girl crush that inspired his first song.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2019, Part 1
Waiting For a Sign, M. Lockwood Porter (from the Black Mesa Records release Communion in the Ashes) M. Lockwood Porter is on a quest, longing to step beyond the anguish and misery he sees around him in hopes of finding a better place, personally and for everyone. The opening – and title – track freely […]
Vandoliers’ Joshua Fleming on the Band’s Food Compass and Avoiding “Compare & Despair”
Dallas-Ft. Worth musician Joshua Fleming, singer-songwriter for Vandoliers, talks about trading jerky and Red Bull for fruit while touring, the gig that got him hooked on music and why he feels lucky.
Monday Morning Video – Roky Erickson
It’s been a tough week in the music world with the passing of three notable artists. Shawn wrote about the loss of idiosyncratic old-timey artist Leon Redbone. We also lost harmonica player and rock historian Tony Glover, an influence for Bob Dylan and countless others. Friday brought news of Roky Erickson’s death at the age […]
Gary Nicholson on Avoiding Rehearsals and Not Chasing Trends
Gary Nicholson describes his early gigs playing at the legendary Ft Worth Cellar and time spent welding fins on bombs.
Matthew Logan Vasquez on the Hobo Day Spa and the Importance of Keeping Busy
Matthew Logan Vasquez recalls losing the Delta Spirit band gear in Hurricane Sandy, time spent working with special needs students and the time he extinguished a van fire with Red Bull.