2013 was a pretty crazy year for me. Personally, professionally, and music listening habit-wise, it was all over the map. At different points during the year, I obsessed over the back catalogs of The Clash, Emmylou Harris (again), Tom Waits, Kevin Gordon, Superchunk (again), Kanye West (weirdly), Paul Westerberg solo records (again), and finally The Bottle Rockets. […]
Chase Gassaway – Certain Circles
Certain Circles, the latest release from Austin musician Chase Gassaway, should be listed as a treatment for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Â Although he writes about typical songwriter topics like love and angst, he manages to put an optimistic sound to them. Â And then add to that a few of his songs are just unabashedly happy […]
Readers’ Pick: ROSANNE CASH, The River & The Thread
You picked Manhattan-based Rosanne Cash’s “The River & The Thread†as your favorite album for the week of January 14, 2014. Readers’ Top Picks (last 4 weeks) ROSANNE CASH, The River & The Thread (17) BLACKIE & THE RODEO KINGS, South (12) BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, High Hopes (9) STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS, Wig Out at […]
Monday Morning Video: Chris Mills
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 […]