Austin-based singer-songwriter David Ramirez passed through Boston last week as part of his “Bootleg Tour,” for which every audience members gets a digital recording of the show). Standing alone on stage (save a coffee table with a lamp and a framed Bill Murray promo picture from the movie “Stripes”), Ramirez mesmerized the crowd with a […]
Boston’s Best Kept Festy – Saturday
I have to admit, I was surprised to see the lineup at such a relatively unknown festival called Festy this year. Where else can you see Americana stalwarts Josh Ritter and Justin Townes Earle on the same day? And when my wife and I waltzed in to the show at a hair past noon, I […]
Daro Behroozi of Lucky Chops Dishes on Cooking on a Tour Bus and Why the Band Rehearses in Front of Mirrors
Daro Behroozi, saxophonist for Lucky Chops, recalls the band’s early tours via the NYC subway, discusses the connection between nourishment of appetite and soul and a day, or rather night, job guarding against fires in empty buildings.
Americana 2016: The Sounds, Part 2
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. SHANNON MCNALLY It’s become something of an annual tradition to close […]
Americana 2016: The Sounds, Part 1
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. SHANE NICHOLSON I caught Australian singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson three times over […]
Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up Shares a Cure for Tour Anxiety and Sums Up His First Gig in 4 Words
Dinosaur Pile-Up singer-guitarist Matt Bigland describes life touring in a van that is on its last legs and recalls a memorable night mopping the floors at the bar where he was working. He also talks about the balance between being poor and finding job security.
Reckless Kelly – Sunset Motel
Reckless Kelly is releasing their ninth album, “Sunset Motelâ€, on September 23rd. Even more significant, they are doing so as they log their 20th year as a band. It is a rare achievement for any band to make it this far. For Reckless Kelly it is even more significant given the transition of the industry […]
Jonas Parmalee of The Silks on That Time Their Tour Vehicle Blew Up and What the Term “Sellout” Really Means
Jonas Parmalee of the Providence, RI-based power trio The Silks recalls being rescued by the Low Anthem when their tour vehicle exploded and why the band orders the most expensive thing on any restaurant menu.
Monday Morning Video (and Audio) – Willin’
“Willin’,” by the late Lowell George, is one of those songs that many may not know by title but is immediately recognizable when it’s heard. It’s also a song to which many artists have gravitated over the years. Here is a video playlist of wonderful cover performances, starting with Uncle Tupelo and working through Tom […]
September Playlist
Here’s a few tunes I’ve been digging from recently released and soon to be released records. Butch Walker/Stay Gold – Hands down Butch is one of my favorites whether it be live, recording or producer. He’s just rock and roll. His newest lives up to the hype. Shovels & Rope/I Know – Snarky and confident […]