ST. VINCENT It’s hard to beat a surprise set by St. Vincent, all the more so when it takes place at a Rivian showroom. The set was short but potent, including a few from her most recent album. And thanks, Rivian, for the limited edition vinyl of said release. WILLI CARLISLE Although he’s been on […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 2
BABY SAID I saw sisters Veronica and Jess Pal deliver two blistering sets of rock and roll, sweetened by their catchy pop melodies and perfect sibling harmonies. Even those two times was not enough – here’s hoping they return soon for a proper tour. JOELTON MAYFIELD My favorite Americana discovery was Nashville by way of […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 1
JOHN FOGERTY “I just got my songs back and I’m gonna play every one of them,” said Fogerty at the start of his show, celebrating the return of his song publishing rights. He wasn’t kidding. He and his band cranked through hit after hit, culminating with a bruising “Fortunate Son”. The icing on the cake? […]
SXSW 2025: The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW conference and festival in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for the annual event. With upwards of 1,000 artists and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music […]
Shane Alexander on European Hotels and Being Entrepreneurial
Los Angeles musician Shane Alexander talks about the song that he wrote for his grandmother, the robbery at his old rehearsal space, and time spent shaping Christmas trees.
Monday Morning Video – Levon and Friends
Ok, so the occasion was really Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band but it’s hard not to think that Levon Helm didn’t steal the show with this one. Here’s Levon singing The Band’s classic “Up On Cripple Creek” backed by Ringo Starr, Clarence Clemons, Rick Danko, Dr. John, Jim Keltner, Nils Lofgren, Billy Preston and Joe Walsh.
Readers’ Pick: Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter
You picked Charley Crockett – Lonesome Drifter as your favorite new release for the week of March 14, 2025.
Ashleigh Flynn & the Riveters – Good Morning, Sunshine
Organizing an album around a theme is, of course, nothing new. It’s easy to cite examples from as far back as the 60’s, and I have no doubt the historically astute can point to even earlier projects. What’s far less common is organizing a band with a theme. That’s just what Portland, Oregon’s, Ashley Flynn […]
Olivia Ellen Lloyd on Apples, Joni Mitchell, and Monel Guitar Strings
County singer Olivia Ellen Lloyd talks about avoiding the toxic feedback loop of the music business, the time she out guitar-guyed a guitar guy, and the story behind the first song that she wrote.
Monday Morning Video – Andy Frasco and the U.N.
Ain’t no party like an Andy Frasco party… I caught Frasco and company in NYC a few weeks ago and the crew put on one hell of a show. Here’s a clip of the band performing “Dancin’ Around My Grave” from their Boston show a few nights prior. The sound quality is not pristine but […]