It’s been a good year for music so far this year (and the rest of the year is looking quite nice, too). Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorite releases from the first half of 2018. HOW TO BE OK ALONE by BRENT COWLES Cowles shares a debut solo full-length that is […]
Speedbuggy USA – Kick Out the Twang
A friend and I were talking the other day about the irony of punk music being 30+ years old. Although I can’t claim to have been a punk rocker back in the day, I did like the country influence that some LA bands were putting on it, notably X, under the nom de plume of cowpunk. […]
Monday Morning Video – The Soulful Side of Langhorne Slim
Langhorne Slim has firmly established himself as one of the leading, albeit criminally lesser-known, lights of roots Americana. The beauty and honesty in his songwriting is captivating; the passion of his live performances, whether solo or full band, is exhilarating. Part of what sets him apart is the soulfulness that infuses his music. Here are […]
Readers’ Pick: The Milk Carton Kids – All the Things…
You picked All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do by folk duo, The Milk Carton Kids, as your favorite new release for the week of June 29, 2018. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, […]
Blue Yonder – Rough And Ready Heart
In the middle part of the last century, most of rural America centered their social lives around their church and the local Grange Hall.  The Grange became the logical choice for Saturday night dances, which weren’t appropriate for a church.  Here, a variety of local and regional touring bands played country waltzes, western swing songs, and […]
E.Z. Shakes / The Wolf
I have to admit when Zach Seibert (singer/songwriter for E.Z. Shakes) told me his newest project was going to record at Mitch Easter’s Fidelitorium I was pretty excited. I’ve always considered Zach one of the best songwriters in South Carolina (and beyond) and I couldn’t wait to hear his first proper full-length since 2009’s excellent […]
Monday Morning Video – Ted Russell Kamp
Bassist Ted Russell Kamp is a mainstay of the Los Angeles Americana community. Check the liner notes of many an album emerging from that vibrant scene and there’s a good chance you’ll find his name. When he is not playing, producing or performing with the likes of Shooter Jennings, Sam Morrow and countless others, Kamp […]
Readers’ Pick: Jeffrey Foucault – Blood Brothers
You picked Blood Brothers by singer-songwriter, Jeffrey Foucault, as your favorite new release for the week of June 22, 2018. Poll Results New Releases Did we miss something? If you feel a new release is missing from our current poll, please let us know in the comments. Readers’ Tops Winter & Spring 2018 JEFF PLANKENHORN, […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2018, Part 3
Easy Ways, Andrew Duhon (from the self-released False River) Andrew Duhon is an old soul. One can hear it both in the warmth of his voice and the captivating charm of his songs. The New Orleans singer-songwriter bridges pop, folk and a touch of jazz into a sound that is gloriously captivating. Some of his […]
Ray Wylie Hubbard – Live at Songbirds
At one point early in his set Ray Wylie Hubbard borrowed a line form one of his songs and said, “Any day my gratitude is above my expectations is a good day. Today has been a good dayâ€. It was indeed a good night. The event took place at Songbirds in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Songbirds is […]