For me, at least, this year has been more about songs than albums. Here are just a few of my favorites from the first half of 2015. If Still It Can’t Be Found, Joe Pug (from the Lightning Rod Records release Windfall) A melancholy ode to perseverance and pursuing one’s dreams. Simply magical. Don’t Let […]
Readers’ Pick: Best of Spring 2015
THE SIDESHOW TRAGEDY, Capital beats out RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, Ruffian’s Misfortune by 28 votes as your favorite for the Spring of 2015. Readers’ Official Top 25 – Spring 2015 THE SIDESHOW TRAGEDY, Capital (50) RAY WYLIE HUBBARD, Ruffian’s Misfortune (22) DWIGHT YOAKAM, Second Hand Heart (21) EILEN JEWELL, Sundown Over Ghost Town (20) THE GRAHAMS, […]
Monday Morning Video – B.B. King (1925 – 2015)
We lost one of the greats last week. B.B. King was an inspiration to generations of musicians, from the weekend warriors who shows up for the sunday afternoon blues jam to the touring musicians who regularly sell out performances in arenas and stadiums. His personality was infectious, able to light up a room with his […]
Dwight Yoakam CD Giveaway!!!
The kind folks over at Yoakam’s digital marketing team (Girlilla) have sent us a copy of Dwight’s latest Second Hand Heart to give away to one lucky Twangville denizen. It’s definitely a killer album. I’ve see advance clips with things such as “Best album from Dwight in years!†etc. etc., but I’m kind of the […]
SXSW 2015 — Say What?!
One of my favorite parts of SXSW is the crazy things you see and hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections. This song is called “I’ll Tell You How It’s Gonna Be.” It’s about you not telling me what to do. Best Coast singer Bethany Cosentino responding to an annoying fan who […]
SXSW 2015 — the Sounds, Part 2
THE STONE FOXES This San Francisco-based rock band added a new drummer since the last time that I saw them. The change enabled original drummer Shannon Koehler to step out as the band’s primary front-man. It’s a role that suits him well as he fired up an afternoon crowd, bounding around the stage and through […]
SXSW 2015 — The Sounds, Part 1
TRAPPER SCHOEPP The Milwaukee-based rocker used a raucous early afternoon set to preview songs from a forthcoming album. With Hold Steady guitarist Steve Selvidge in tow, Schoepp and his band the Shades provided an electric jolt to all those in attendance. Count me among those eagerly awaiting Schoepp’s new release — it’s gonna be a […]
SXSW 2015 — The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,200 bands and more than 20,000 attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even […]
Folk Alliance Conference 2015: Say What?!
One of my favorite things about attending music conferences and festivals are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from this year’s Folk Alliance Conference. Playing for other musicians is not always the greatest experience. ‘I would have done that differently.’ Dan Bern No fucking songs about […]
Folk Alliance Conference 2015 – The Scene and The Sounds
Twangville made its first trip to the annual Folk Alliance Conference a few weeks ago. The event brought hundreds of musicians to Kansas City for four days of music. And more music. And more music. Folk Alliance is unlike any other festival or conference one can attend. Sure, like most conferences it features topical sessions […]