Elvis has inspired many a musician over the years, but rarely, if ever, in the way he catalyzed Virginian Karen Jonas. Watching an Elvis biography on the plane home from SXSW she was incited to write 8 songs in 8 days and add a few others pulled off the shelf from a previous writing spurt […]
Blake Christiana of Yarn on Soundcheck Rehearsals and the “Drinkin’ Blues”
Singer-songwriter Blake Christiana of rock band Yarn talks about the demise of several band tour vans and the band’s “all you can drink” first gigs in New York City.
Monday Morning Video – John Mayall, 1933-2024
John Mayall, OBE, died last week at 90. Often called the “Godfather of British blues,” Mayall was so much more than just a pioneer of British blues. By introducing a generation of rock fans to the blues, he arguably had a hand in saving blues as a viable commercial music form at a time in the […]
Readers’ Pick: Melissa Carper – Borned in Ya
You picked Melissa Carper – Borned in Ya as your favorite new release for the week of July 19, 2024.
Solid Gold Stranger – Closer to the Flame
One of my discoveries at this year’s Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival up in Grass Valley was a San Francisco Bay Area band, Solid Gold Stranger. In addition to their sets on both the Main and Pioneer stages, the members sat in individually with various other bands at multiple points in the weekend. All that in-demand […]
Lasers Lasers Birmingham – Mystery Highway
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.