After gaining much acclaim on his previous release, “High on Tulsa Heatâ€, John Moreland has released a new album of tunes that raises an already high bar even further. This time around he eschewed the solitary acoustic Folk style of previous work that put full focus on the lyrics. His new effort, “Big Bad Luvâ€, […]
Heather Horton – “Boomerang” Song Premiere
I was fortunate enough to have lived in Chicago in the early 90’s, when acts like Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair were putting sonic variety and higher production values on the grunge assault coming out of Seattle. Â When I first listened to the latest album from Chicago native Heather Horton, Don’t Mess With Mrs. Murphy, […]
Monday Morning Video – A Double Dose of Blackfoot Gypsies
Some weeks just call for a blast of some good ol’ rock and roll. How about we get this week started with a pair from Nashville’s Blackfoot Gypsies. The boys are celebrating the release of To the Top, their new long-player. Here are two tracks that will give you a taste of what is to […]
Mike Errico’s Sinking Ship – A Twangville Premiere
I still remember, and have previously written about, my introduction to Mike Errico. I, along with a room full of holiday revelers, were relegated to a stunned silence as Errico performed solo with his acoustic guitar at a NYC show. With one song, Errico secured a spot on my top ten list of concert experiences. […]
Monday Morning Video – Brent Cowles
Brent Cowles has lived a musical lifetime in his 27 years. The Denver-based singer-songwriter tasted some success with You Me & Apollo before that group’s demise in 2014. A few years down the road he has returned with Cold Times, his solo debut. The ep finds him exploring new ground, trading his acoustic guitar for […]
SXSW 2017, The Sounds – Part 3
MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ The former (?) Delta Spirit frontman sure likes to rock. I caught him a few times over the week and it he fired up the crowd each time. He suffered from poor sound at one show, but the energy carried him through. Like many an artist, he was showcasing songs from the […]
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 2
AUSTIN LUCAS Lucas snuck into Austin to play a single afternoon solo acoustic show. To say that he attacked his guitar wouldn’t be an overstatement. He alternated between channeling Johnny Cash in his fiery moments and Blaze Foley’s mellow stylings. It was a powerful performance from start to finish. RON GALLO Gallo was a contender […]
Monday Morning Video – Drive-By Truckers “Gimme Some Truth”
I caught the Drive-By Truckers over the weekend and, true to form, they delivered an epic guitar-driven onslaught. The setlist leaned heavily on their most recent album, the politically charged American Band, alongside more than a few fan favorites. Among the highlights was this searing take on John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth.”
SXSW 2017 – The Sounds, Part 1
LANGHORNE SLIM This was the best of the best, my favorite musical moment of the week. Langhorne Slim sitting in a chair on the floor, the audience arrayed cross-legged on the floor around him. A campfire festival without the campfire. His late-night performance was a freewheeling gem that included a few impromptu requests, all delivered […]
Monday Morning Video – Chuck Berry
Count me among the many whose earliest experience with music was courtesy of Chuck Berry. I think it was “Roll Over Beethoven.” Perhaps it was my personal rebellion against the symphony performances that my parents dragged me to attend. I’ve come to enjoy the symphony in the years since but, at the time, the lyric […]