Behind The Eight/Count Your Blessings, Michael McDermott (from the Pauper Sky Records releases East Jesus and Lighthouse on the Shore) For nearly a decade, Michael McDermott has been on a creative tear, releasing more albums in that period than many artists create during their entire careers. And apparently he’s not interested in slowing down; rather, […]
Monday Morning Video – Randy Newman
It’s been a while since we paid tribute to one of America’s greatest songwriters. Let’s remedy that. Here’s Randy Newman from his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony performing “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today.” And just for fun, two bonus videos featuring Newman alongside Bonnie Raitt (“Feels Like Home”) and Mark Knopfler […]
Jeremy Dion – Bend In the Middle
It’s not unusual for musicians to have day jobs while they’re getting established, and frequently continuing it throughout their careers. You can read about many of them in our Why It Matters column. This is the first time, though, I’ve heard about the day job being a mental health therapist. Such is the case with […]
Lindi Ortega on Side Hustles and Being Grateful
Singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega talks about the ghost that haunts her rehearsal space, touring in a self-described clown car, and how her prom dress inspired the first song that she wrote.
Monday Morning Video – Justin Currie
Strings make pretty much any song better. Here’s proof to the point: Justin Currie of Del Amitri performing his classic “Be My Downfall” with the Royal Conservatoire Scotland Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2024 Celtic Connections Festival.
Monday Morning Video – Twangville NYC Showcase Tonight!
Last call for tonight’s Twangville showcase in NYC! Hannah Aldridge, Kellen Asebroek, and Trapper Schoepp will share the stage for a stellar evening of songs and stories. Here are a trio of videos – one from each artist – to get you ready. First up is Hannah Aldridge performing “Dream of America”, the title track […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2024
Give It To Me One Last Time, Jeremie Albino (from the Easy Eye Sound release Our Time in the Sun) Canada’s Jeremie Albino traveled to Nashville to record an album steeped in Memphis and Muscle Shoals soul. In Nashville, Albino teamed with Dan Auerbach to create an outstanding album that has a retro feel without […]
Kelley Mickwee on Ramen Bowls and Her Path to Songwriting
Austin by way of Memphis musician Kelley Mickwee talks about touring with her tour companion and shares the full circle moment behind one of the songs on her new album.
Elegy – a Premiere from Susan Cattaneo
“My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty” sings Susan Cattaneo in her latest single, but her reference to the patriotic anthem is anything but celebratory. Rather, as her song title suggests, it’s a statement about the decline of discourse and civility in America. More to the point, Cattaneo isn’t optimistic. “Once a beauty, […]
Garrett Owen – Memoriam
The words “surprising” and “folk music” rarely appear together in the same sentence. There are plenty of good reasons for that. Perhaps the most common is just that people like what’s familiar. Most artists are trying, at some level, to perform music their fans like. So picking up where you left off the last time […]