You picked Johnny Blue Skies – Passage du Desir as your favorite new release for the week of July 12, 2024.
AJ Lee & Blue Summit – City of Glass
Some bands have a birthing moment, a specific date they first played together. Others form in what is probably best described as an organic fashion. The latter is the case with Santa Cruz’s AJ Lee & Blue Summit. Two of the members, mandolinist AJ Lee and guitarist Sullivan Tuttle, first performed together with his siblings […]
“Hand-Rolled” – a Premiere from The Belle Curves
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Delaney Hafener, the mastermind behind The Belle Curves, around New York City a few times over the past year. Each time I’ve been impressed by her ability to blend wondrous power pop with a rocking edge. It’s a sound that is lively and refreshing. Well, it’s finally time for […]
Brian Mackey on WD-40, Pho, and Eddie Van Halen’s Guitar
Singer-songwriter Brian Mackey talks about his first gig – a Holiday Inn in New Jersey – and the plethora of day jobs that he’s done over the years.
Cody Dickinson on Stealing His Brother’s Guitar Strings and Avoiding Tour Buses
Cody Dickinson talks about his home studio in Mississippi, winning his kindergarten talent show, and why he memorizes music rather than using charts.
Monday Morning Video – Tom Waits
Let’s kick off the week with one of the greats singing one of the greats: Tom Waits performing “Ol’ 55”.
Readers’ Pick: The Felice Brothers – Valley of Abandoned Songs
You picked The Felice Brothers – Valley of Abandoned Songs as your favorite new release for the week of June 28, 2024.
Melissa Carper – Borned In Ya
A couple of years ago, at AmericanaFest, one of my highlights was seeing a trio that later called themselves Wonder Women Of Country; Kelly Willis, Brennan Leigh, and Melissa Carper. I was familiar with the beautiful voices of Willis and Leigh, but Carper was new to me. She added an authenticity and balance to the […]
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2024 (So Far), the Songs
Better By Now, Heather Little (from the Need to Know Music release By Now) “I’ve wasted a lot of love being wrong, I learn too late and I stay too long,” in this haunting tale of heartbreak, “I oughta be better by now but I got mixed up with you somehow.” So Glad You Made It/Go All […]
Mayer’s Picks – the Best of 2024 (So Far), the Albums
Now That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat by Fantastic Cat The sum is greater than the part with this collective of four singer-songwriters. Each of the four brings their own personality and songwriting style to the group, but they compliment one another beautifully. The songs crackle with intelligence and humor, all the better when the […]