This has been a great year for music in and around Boston. I hesitate to break these out into a separate regional list as they would all feature prominently on my overall Best of 2013. That said, taken together they make a great statement on the vibrancy of the Boston music scene. KINGSLEY FLOOD, Battles […]
Mayer’s Picks: Best Albums of 2013
This has been a great year in music, a feast for the ears but a challenge when it comes to picking my favorite albums for the year. A good problem to have, I suppose. Without further ado…. #1. JASON ISBELL, Southeastern The demons in these songs are no match for a songwriter of Isbell’s talent. […]
Photos that ROCK! Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds The Sinclair, Cambridge MA: December 2013 My friend Josh Myers started playing bass in a band that I had recently started hearing buzz about and he informed me that they were playing near by. I showed up at The Sinclair in Cambridge on a Friday night not knowing what […]
Best of 2013?
It’s that time of year we start our Readers’ Pick poll to let you tell us what your favorite album of the year is. This year, we’re going to do something a little different. We’ll get the poll started, but we want you to help us add to it. If you don’t see your favorite […]
Monday Morning Video: Charlie Chesterman
The Boston music scene recently lost one of our favorite sons. Charlie Chesterman earned his stripes in Scruffy the Cat back in the 1980’s before settling in as a solo artist, ably backed by a band known as the Legendary Motorbikes. His songs always had a classic 1950’s vintage rock sensibility, compact three minute pop […]
Win Big: Shonna Tucker Sends You Vinyl and a Case of Old Milwaukee
This ranks high on the list of the coolest give-aways that we’ve done. To celebrate the release of A Tell All, Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy are offering one lucky Twangville resident a special test pressing of the album on vinyl. Even better, the vinyl is packaged in an (empty) case of Old Milwaukee that […]
Monday Morning Video: Lou Reed
We lost a legend over the weekend. Lou Reed passed away on Sunday at the age of 71. From his early years with the Velvet Underground to his later solo career, Reed has inspired countless musicians and left a treasure trove of influential recordings. Here is a complete Reed performance from New York’s Bottom Line […]
Americana 2013: 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. Lets cut the small talk, I got a new record out. It’s already a million seller. I got a million of ’em in the cellar. Scott Miller You’re […]
Americana 2013, the Sounds, Part 2
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. LUCINDA WILLIAMS The Americana Conference instituted a new tradition this year: […]
Americana 2013: The Sounds, Part 1
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the annual Americana Music Awards and continuing through four days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. PATRICK SWEANY Sweany delivered what was, hands down, my favorite showcase […]