Brooklyn (by way of Chicago) singer-songwriter Chris Mills passed through Boston yesterday. It had been awhile since I’d seen him but it took only one song to remind me why I enjoy his songwriting. Mid-set he pulled out this older tune that has long been a favorite. Yes, it’s a bit maudlin. but damn if […]
Readers’ Pick: STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, Wig Out at Jagbags
You picked Portland, Oregon’s “STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, Wig Out at Jagbags†as your favorite album for the week of January 7, 2014. Readers’ Top Picks (last 4 weeks) STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, Wig Out at Jagbags (9) PETER GABRIEL & VARIOUS ARTISTS, And I’ll Scratch Yours (7) Don’t forget to vote in […]
The Twangville 2014 Release Preview, Boston Edition
This is shaping up to be a great year of music in Boston. All the albums below will be unleashed to the world in January and February. Here’s hoping the following ten months are just as fruitful. RADIO SWEETHEART by SARAH BORGES If there’s such a thing as a rock star quality then Sarah Borges […]
David Wax Museum at the Sinclair
When one thing ends, another begins. Suz Slezak had her baby 6 weeks ago and suddenly she was back on tour in the limelight. She talked about how relaxing her life as a pregnant woman was compared to hotel rooms and tour buses. I suppose that coming back to Boston (where they started and Wax […]
Tom’s Picks: Best of 2013
Album of the Year: Jason Isbell – Southeastern Jason Isbell is quickly establishing himself as one of the greatest singer/songwriters alive today. He’s cleaned up, remarried, and recording without the 400 Unit (his backing band from the last few years). Southeastern is one of those albums I imagine we’ll look back on some day as […]
Monday Morning Video: A Tribute to Brown Bird
While on tour last spring, Dave Lamb of Providence, RI-based duo Brown Bird fell ill and was ultimately diagnosed with leukemia. Although he lacked insurance at the time, he was able to get treatment and is on the path to recovery. Of course, the mounting health costs combined with the lack of income — Brown […]
The What Happened Talk with John Murry
Ever wanted to know what life is like as a musician? Curious about how they got their start and where they find inspiration? Interviewer Teddy Goldstein gets the in-depth story from singer-songwriters on his What Happened podcast. Teddy’s guest for this edition is Oakland-based, Mississippi-raised singer-songwriter John Murry. Murry was in New York for the […]
Best of 2013 – Chip
Here is my Top Ten for 2013: Feel free to cast stones and insults if you disagree. 1. Patty Griffin American Kid The combination of Griffin’s vocal elegance along with Luther and Cody Dickinson’s backup, made this album stand above all others. The ethereal duet with Robert Plant was also a high impact song. 2. […]
The Twangville 2014 Release Preview
If the releases below are any indication, 2014 is shaping up to be a musical embarrassment of riches. What releases, whether on this list or not, are you most excited to hear? HARD WORKING AMERICANS by HARD WORKING AMERICANS(21 January on Melvin Records/Thirty Tigers Records) What happens when a group of musicians — Todd Snider, […]
Honeylark – Heavy
This time of year the shadows stretch long across the frozen landscape, adding a lightly brushed undercurrent of foreboding to everything. Â It’s always there, lurking, feeding the darker human emotions, even when the event of the moment is a totally enjoyable holiday celebration. Â When you put that feeling to music, you get what Honeylark calls […]