Twangville

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

Indie Pop Rocks SXSW 2010 with Stereo Skyline, the Downtown Fiction, and the Ready Set

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Some of you may recall the thrillingly eye-opening experience that seeing Totally Michael at South-by was for me last year. Well, if you’re willing to indulge me, I think I’m about to test the patience and credulity of the Twangville audience like never before. (Bear with me though, for as with my South-by blogging of […]

With One Night Only & the Crookes, Yorkshire Gets my Vote as the Hottest Scene at SXSW 2010

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Of the 15 bands I saw on Wednesday at SXSW this year, the one that stood head and shoulders above the rest was One Night Only from Yorkshire, England. I’ve had their debut album for a couple of years now, and like it quite a bit, but the band that I saw onstage for the […]

Confederate Fagg

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While we here at Twangville mostly focus on the country/alt-country/hillbilly side of things, some of us have a soft spot for metal…gay metal. And there is no better gay metal band than South Carolina’s own Confederate Fagg. This past weekend, the boys got together to play a rally organized by City of Columbia mayoral candidate […]

Who Should The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induct in 2011?

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I finally got around to watching the broadcast from last week’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 inductions. The ceremony — honoring inductees ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and Iggy Pop & Stooges — was, well, rather tame. Even Iggy Pop, in fine Stooges form, struggled to get a reaction from the crowd. […]

Win Big: Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Friends

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Last week we profiled the recent tribute to New Orleans’ Preservation Hall. Recorded over the past year in New Orleans historic landmark, the album features the legendary jazz band performing with artists ranging from Tom Waits to Jason Isbell to Brandi Carlile. Did I say win big? I meant really big. Thanks to our friends […]

Klausner Music Newsletter 2009, Year-End Musings by Bobby K

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EDITOR’S NOTE: I couldn’t let this newsletter sit in my inbox any longer. Twangville guest author Bobby K offers yet another fine selection of annual picks from the previous year. Enjoy! -Tom Hey Everybody, As always, the following is a link to iTunes to download a playlist containing songs from many of the records I […]

Win Big: Elvis Costello’s Spectacle

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If you haven’t been watching the second season of Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… on the Sundance Channel, you’ve been missing some incredible music television. A storied songwriter in his own right, Costello is able to speak as a peer with a diverse range of musical guests. He deftly explores their musical history and approach to […]

Mayer’s Best of 2009 (the songs), Part 2

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Arms & Legs and Flowers, Ian Hunter (from the New West Records release Man Overboard) It’s no accident that Ian Hunter gets two mentions on this list. The legendary singer-songwriter is a true rock and roll poet, writing magnificent songs that combine simplicity with depth. “Arms & Legs” is an inspirational tribute to love built […]

Mayer’s Best of 2009 (the songs), Part 1

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Give Me Tomorrow, Willie Nile (from the River House Records release House of a Thousand Guitars) Nile’s eternal optimism reigns supreme, most notably on this spirited testament to change and opportunity. “I’ve seen poison in the waters, heard the crying of the sea, I have heard your sons and daughters say what’s to become of […]