If you’re a musician in California, you can feel a bit cloistered. Between Palm Springs and Lubbock there’s a lot of not much. So faced with an 8+ hour drive to the next gig east of the Mojave, or picking up 4 gigs in the 400 miles from LA to San Francisco or Sacramento, it’s […]
American Aquarium – Fear of Standing Still
By the time most bands have released a dozen or so albums, they are past their prime. They may still be releasing solid material, but the zenith is clearly in the rear view. Thankfully American Aquarium isn’t most bands. BJ Barham’s band is scarred, and road worn for sure. Lineups have changed and morphed over […]
Exene Cervenka of X on Quiet(ish) Rehearsals and the First Song That She Wrote
Exene Cervenka of legendary punk band X talks about the many day jobs that she’s had and what motivated her and her bandmates over the years.
Hermanitas in the Rain – a Premiere from Lisa Morales
Music has been a constant in Lisa Morales’ life, dating back to childhood days singing mariachi songs with her sister Roberta at Mexican restaurants in Tucson, Arizona. From those precious beginnings, she’s gone on to a tremendous career. The core of her musical journey has been Sisters Morales, a collaboration with her sister Roberta, who […]
Monday Morning Video – Lucinda Williams “Passionate Kisses”
While it was Mary Chapin Carpenter’s cover that ultimately earned Lucinda Williams a Grammy award for the song, I’ve always been partial to the grittiness of Williams’ original version. Here’s a performance by Williams from Austin City Limits.
Readers’ Pick: Johnny Blue Skies – Passage du Desir
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.