ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Cold Snap by Anthony D’Amato Singer-songwriter Anthony D’Amato stretches out on his latest release, his second for New West Records. An acoustic guitar may still be his instrument of choice but the arrangements are robust and more orchestrated, reminiscent of Josh Ritter’s more recent work. Cold Snap was recorded in Omaha, […]
Monday Morning Video – The Record Company
The Record Company raised the temperature on an already hot day while playing an outdoor festival in Boston last week. They surprised the crowd with a blistering take on the Beastie Boys’ “So What’cha Want,” a treat that sounded mighty tasty alongside their potent originals. Here is said cover along with “Off the Ground” from […]
Hittin’ the Road with Marcus Blacke, Update 5
Australian singer-songwriter Marcus Blacke is currently on his first tour of the United States. He’s checking in with us from the road to share some of his adventures on the American road. Read on for the latest update, plus a featured song from his new self-titled album. July 9th-13th Quite unhappily I say farewell to […]
Ken Stringfellow Compares the Budgets for the Posies First and Second Albums and Reveals Why He Changes His Guitar Strings Monthly
Ken Stringfellow of the Posies explains why he’s cool with the band’s current touring paradigm, reflects on the first song that he wrote (a rock opera about humans developing psychic abilities) and time spent working in a futon warehouse during his younger years.
Monday Morning Video – The Yawpers Have “Suspicious Minds”
Denver-based The Yawpers made their inaugural trip to Boston (well, really Cambridge) last week. They drew a respectable crowd for a late Sunday night set and proceeded to whip the audience into a frenzy with their distinctive blend of punk, rockabilly and bad-ass rock and roll. They even seemed to take in stride (and actually […]
The Silks – Turn Me On
For years the description of Big 10 football was “3 yards and a cloud of dust”. Â It was straight-ahead, grind-it-out, pigskin football. Â Fans in the upper Midwest were proud of their brand of ball, even while the sophisticates on either coast snickered, and it started to reflect not just a sports mentality, but a general […]
The Twangville 2016 Release Preview, Back Half Edition
We’ve already been treated to a number of great new albums in 2016. Read on for some releases expected in the back half of the year. What albums, whether on this list or not, are you most excited to hear? REAL by LYDIA LOVELESS(19 August on Bloodshot Records) It’s hard to believe that it has […]
Austin Lucas on Rehearsing in a Nuclear Bomb Shelter and “Rockin’ with the Dinosaurs”
Austin Lucas talks about a dream that he recently fulfilled, the joys of eating local and riding in a beast.
Monday Morning Video – Let It Go with Cowboy Mouth
There are certain bands that one needs to see live. New Orleans-based Cowboy Mouth are one of those bands. For more than 25 years they’ve brought their hometown party attitude to venues around the world. The band is about to release a greatest hits album called The Name of the Band Is…Cowboy Mouth: Best Of […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2016 (So Far), the Songs Part 2
This has already been quite a year for songs. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2016. Shadow in the Window, Michael McDermott (from the Pauper Sky Records release Willow Springs) McDermott reflects on his father’s recent passing, building the song from a tender acoustic opening to an impassioned […]