Twangville

A music blog featuring Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.

2024 Folk Alliance International Conference

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There are many organizations set up to serve the music industry, from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the Grammy people) and their non-profit, MusiCares, to industry organizations for various segments, to local music societies. I’m certain none of them come close to the broad offerings of Folk Alliance International. FAI is a […]

Todd’s Tops of 2023

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Another year, another “Best Of” list. I think in the 80s/90s I could tell what I listened to the most that year by the drag of the tape on the cassette. Enter the late mid-90s/2000s, the skips in the CD. Now, it’s a Spotify list of the most played artist. And while yes, Taylor Swift […]

Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2023

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Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2023.

Mayer’s Picks – Best Songs of 2023, Part 2

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I posted my list of favorite from the first half of 2023 back in June (here). Rather than replicate that list for my full year review, consider this a continuation — the best songs from the second half of the year. Whatever Helps You Sleep, Abby Hamilton (from the Blue Gown Records release #1 Zookeeper (of the San […]

Mayer’s Picks – Best of 2023, the Albums

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11. Somebody’s Child by Somebody’s Child Not the typical Twangville fare but I can’t get enough of the infectious and electrifying rock anthems from the debut album by Somebody’s Child, the Ireland/UK group founded and led by Cian Godfrey. (More coverage) 10. End of the World by Wild Child End of the World is an […]

Shawn’s Favorite Albums of 2023

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2023 was a good year for new records. It seemed like themes and topics were no longer dominated by pandemic-induced experiences, and writers felt free to explore the entirety of their experience again. There was a good mix of new and old, both in terms of songs and artists. There’s the usual caveat that what […]

Tom’s Faves: 2023

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Best Album of 2023: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Weathervanes I really didn’t want to do it. It’s just too easy. Jason Isbell has come out on top time after time in Twangville’s Best of Year lists. Yet, here I am again. At first, it was a tough call. Chris Stapleton is always […]

Monday Morning Video – Shane MacGowan

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Last week brought the news that Shane MacGowan, co-founder and singer-songwriter for Ireland’s legendary the Pogues, had passed away. MacGowan’s songs, not to mention his interpretations of other folk songs, were as stirring as his life was complex. Even though he had only performed sporadically over the last decade, the impact of his music has […]