Oregon-based singer-songwriter Melissa Ruth talks about her Honda Fit, bringing water bottles on tour, and the importance of teaching music in public schools.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 2
Suicide of Town, Ben de la Cour (from the Julian Records release Sweet Anhedonia) There isn’t a lot of sunshine in Ben de la Cour’s music and Sweet Anhedonia is no exception. Heck, the album is titled after the condition of not being able to experience pleasure. But that’s part of the Nashville singer-songwriter’s magic […]
Vance Gilbert – The Mother of Trouble
When I got the press release for Philadelphia native Vance Gilbert’s upcoming album, The Mother of Trouble, it noted the project contained “4 bullies, 4 deaths (3 of them murders), 3 moms, 2 accidents, 2 Black people, 2 dogs, 1 dog ball, and one missed flight due to gas station sushi.” I mean, who’s not […]
Shift – A Premiere from Lauren Calve
Change is inevitable. Sometimes we don’t see it coming, but other times there are early hints that it is occurring. That’s the premise behind the lead single from Lauren Calve’s forthcoming album. “Found a gray hair on my sweater, tectonic plates slip underwater”, she opens the song, “I feel a shift”. The singer-songwriter’s thoughts then […]
Matt Sucich on Tom Petty and What’s Required to Cut Through the Noise
Singer-songwriter Matt Sucich talks about rehearsal space distractions and how he got a first-hand education on the inner workings of the music industry.
Brian Beken – New Geography
You know, something you don’t hear as much about these days is fiddle contests. They’re certainly still around, but it used to be that every county fair and Town Founders Days celebration had a fiddle contest alongside the animals-raised-by-kids judging and best pie battle. That (mostly) friendly musical competition environment and heritage nurtured a young […]
Mike Donello – Rendezvous
With spring finally arriving in most of the country and summer just around the corner, it’s time to lighten up your playlist. The world is less about introspection in front of the fireplace and more about sunshine and flip-flops. Austinite Mike Donello, and his band The New Essentials, are genius at pulling off that casual […]
Doug Levitt on Theme Parks and Traveling by Greyhound Bus
Singer-songwriter Doug Levitt talks about a co-write from his middle school years and his last proper, full-time gig.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2023, Part 1
Rockaway, Brian Dunne (from the Kill Rock Stars release Loser on the Ropes) Brian Dunne sets a clear tone for his latest album with its title. Loser on the Ropes chronicles life in a troubled world, focused on the personal rather than the geo-political. The characters in his songs are often taking stock of their […]
David Garza on His Tour Diet Closer and The Best “Job” Ever
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer David Garza talks about playing his 7th grade talent show and “PB&J”, the song.