I’m not exactly sure how I stumbled upon Texas Piano Man, the recent release from Robert Ellis. I’m thinking it was the monsters at Spotify that put him in my queue or something. Whoever or whatever it was, I owe them a pat on the back, as for the last 2 weeks I’ve been playing […]
Newport Folk Festival 2019 – New Faces
Even though Twangville has been lucky enough to cover many Newport Folk Festivals in the past, the lineup this year has made some great choices to get new faces in front of music fans. The lineup is filled with both new acts garnering critical buzz and underappreciated gems. It’s that dedication to amazing and innovative […]
Rod Picott on The Decline of CD Sales and His Definition of Hell
Singer-songwriter Rod Picott on getting stranded in Scranton, PA, the benefit of breaking his Starbucks habit and why artists need to work twice as hard and then again.
Avi & Pat from Goodnight Texas on Pat’s Superpower and the 5 Points of the Eastern Star
Avi Vinocur and Patrick Dyer Wolf of Goodnight Texas sing their tour van’s praises – literally – and discuss their new approach to releasing music.
Monday Morning Video – Johnny Clegg
Anyone who says that music can’t be an instrument of social change has clearly never heard of Johnny Clegg. The South African artist put together a multi-racial band in response to – and defiance of – Apartheid, creating music that blended traditional Zulu street music (and dancing) with Western pop and rock. The result was […]
Readers’ Pick: The Steel Wheels – Over the Trees
You picked The Steel Wheels – Over the Trees as your favorite new release for the week of July 19, 2019. 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 Summer & Fall 2019 The Steel Wheels […]
Lasers Lasers Birmingham – Warning
The dog days of summer have hit most of the U.S. now, with the heat and humidity encouraging a laconic approach to just about everything. Lasers Lasers Birmingham, the musical progeny of L.A.-based Alex Owen, has dropped the perfect soundtrack to it, Warning, with wry observations on everything from ambition to intuition, all to the […]
Newport Folk Festival 2019 – Big Names
This year’s Newport Folk Festival boasts many big name acts and lean towards a jam band atmosphere. Both Phil Lesh and Trey Anastasio will be playing sets. Phil with the Terrapin Family Band (which includes his son Grahame and others based around Phil’s own music venue Terrapin Crossroads in Marin County, California. Trey Anastasio will […]
Say What?! Winter/Spring 2019 Edition
One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from winter/spring 2019. I was dating a girl for a long time and she wondered why she didn’t have any songs about her. We broke up. […]
Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison On A Duct Taped Tour Van and Starting a Label
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison explain why to avoid the captain’s chair behind the driver in their tour van and why being a duo is better than being a solo act.