I hit play on the new record from San Diego’s The Sully Band and it was like stepping into the way back machine. It must have been about 1975 or 1976, and I discovered KAAY in Little Rock and its after-midnight programming. Sitting on a tailgate on a sweltering summer night, pulling surreptitiously from a […]
Ben Balmer Song Premiere – Girl With the Dirty Hair
Last fall I wrote about Ben Balmer’s latest record, Honky-Tonk Macbeth. There were a couple of very good, but dark, numbers including the title track. It has the best summary of the Shakespeare classic that I’ve ever heard, “just words that sound pretty, then there’s mostly death.” Most of the album, however, was more in […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2022, Part 2
Not Ready Yet, Jamie McDell (from the ABC Music release Jamie McDell) I’ve been not so patiently awaiting the latest release from New Zealand’s Jamie McDell. Her 2019 EP was a tremendous introduction to her songwriting talent, especially the pull no punches “Botox” and the raw emotion of “Worst Crime”. Both songs are featured, alongside […]
The Weeping Willows on Voltaire, Tropical Cyclones, and “Coolio Iglesius”
Australian duo The Weeping Willows talk about their DIY rehearsal space and the day jobs that they envy.
Monday Morning Video – The Load-Out with Jackson Browne
Let’s start the week with a classic – Jackson Browne’s “The Load-Out” with a segue into Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs’ wonderful 1960 chart-topper “Stay”. People you’ve got the power over what we doYou can sit there and waitOr you can pull us throughCome along, sing the song
Readers’ Pick: Jackie Bristow – Outsider
You picked Jackie Bristow – Outsider as your favorite new release for the week of March 4, 2022. Poll Results New Releases Readers’ Tops Winter & Spring 2022 David Gideon – Lonesome Desert Strum (75 votes) Sarah Borges – Together Alone (44) Jackie Bristow – Outsider (27) The Rave-Ups – Tomorrow (19) Sarah Shook & […]
Cactus Blossoms – One Day
They call it blood harmony. It is that special coherent blend that siblings can attain when they harmonize. In the case of The Cactus Blossoms, comparisons are abundant to the Everly Brothers. However, sometimes the obvious is the most apropos. The blend of their vocals seems effortless and gives each song a comfortable, smooth vibe […]
Erika Lewis Song Premiere – Unsatisfied
Guy Clark said that money won’t buy you love or homegrown tomatoes. He could have added seeing Tuba Skinny live to that list. In case you’ve missed it, Tuba Skinny is a musician collective known for their live performances busking in the streets of New Orleans. Drummer and vocalist Erika Lewis is part of the […]
The Cactus Blossoms on Working Carpentry and Rehearsing By a Fireplace
Jack Torrey of The Cactus Blossoms talk about being underage and having to be snuck into an early gig and dealing with the ups and downs of being a musician.
Suz Slezak on Family Tours, Sardines, and Building a Barn
Suz Slezak of David Wax Museum celebrates her debut solo album by talking with us about about family campout in the band’s tour van, road salads (and a memorable incident at a Kentucky rest stop when they were making one), and why her life is unbelievably rich.