kirby baby Two sets from Brooklyn’s kirby baby meant double the proof that his razor-edged indie rock songs are built for live performance. Whether solo or with his full band—I saw both—the material from his new album crackled with the same intensity. JADE BIRD Bird’s magnetic presence commanded Third Man Records’ legendary Blue Room as […]
Twangville Sunday Social: October 19th in Dallas
We haven’t said much about it, but Twangville is turning 20! For two decades, we’ve been shining a light on the musical artists who inspire us – from up-and-comers to familiar favorites. Along the way, we’ve built a tradition of presenting live shows in backyards and music venues that bring that same passion to life. […]
Shawn Camp on Staying in the Moment and Touring in His Customized Mercedes Sprinter
Country and bluegrass virtuoso Shawn Camp talks about leading tours at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the type of guitar strings that he currently uses, and his approach to rehearsals (hint: he doesn’t).
Monday Morning Video – Harry Nilsson
We’re gonna travel back 50 years for this week’s Monday Morning Video. In 1975 legendary songwriter Harry Nilsson appeared on The Smothers Brothers tv show to talk about songwriting – “song construction” in his words – and play a few songs. He kicks things off with “I Guess the Lord Must Live in New York […]
Tift Merritt – Time & Patience
Some 21 years after Tift Merritt’s breakthrough album Tambourine, she returns with “Time & Patience: Tambourine Kitchen Recordings.” The original Tambourine highlighted both Tift Merritt’s voice and a classic blue-eyed soul sound. The demos have stripped back the embellishments and allowed the songs to stand on their own. It turns out that they have taken […]
Dar Williams – Hummingbird Highway
Over the years I’ve heard many singers comment about how to write good songs. Frequently it’s a variation on the theme of “live the life you want to write about.” In the case of Hudson Valley, NY, resident and folk music icon Dar Williams, that’s a life of traveling troubadour and social crusader. In addition […]
Grant-Lee Phillips – In the Hour of Dust
I looked up the word “cinematic” and, not surprisingly, all the definitions center around visual elements. Yet, it’s one of the first words that came to my mind as I listened to the new record from Grant-Lee Phillips, In the Hour of Dust. The album’s title is taken from an 1800’s painting of cattle being […]
Murry Hammond on Tour Sandwiches and Playing Three Year Old Guitar Strings
Murry Hammond of Old 97’s talks about the paranormal activity in his old rehearsal space and the importance of saving money and feeding your interests, especially if they’re musical.
Hillary Reynolds – Changing Seasons
Life happens, as the saying goes. Angeleno Hillary Reynolds can attest to that. What started as a project 6-ish years ago got waylaid by the pandemic, pregnancy, and raising a child. While she could have dropped making the album, and was at times tempted to do so, it became important to finish. Unlike many of […]
KP Hawthorn – Til the Glitter End
Over a decade ago, KP Hawthorn and a few of her friends/musicians decided to put together CALICO the band, a vehicle for their love of the California Country sound. KP, Jaime Wyatt, and Manda Mosher co-wrote several songs and the band’s debut, Rancho California, came out in 2014. Fast forward those ten years and KP […]