Last week also brought the news that we lost Scott Kempner, co-founder of The Dictators and The Del-Lords. The former are considered punk rock pioneers while the latter was a gloriously unbridled rock and roll outfit. Kempner epitomized the rock and roll ethos, combining a NYC attitude with raucous guitars. Here are The Del-Lords performing […]
Monday Morning Video – Shane MacGowan
Last week brought the news that Shane MacGowan, co-founder and singer-songwriter for Ireland’s legendary the Pogues, had passed away. MacGowan’s songs, not to mention his interpretations of other folk songs, were as stirring as his life was complex. Even though he had only performed sporadically over the last decade, the impact of his music has […]
Readers’ Pick: Best of 2023
It’s the season to ask you, our beloved readers, what your favorite album of 2023 was. To help, we’ve created a poll with over 100 nominations. If you’re wondering where this list comes from, it comes from your contributions to our poll throughout the year. We’ve created this amazing list of the top 25 picks […]
When It’s Twilight in Boston – a Special Twangville Playlist
Bulletproof Man, The Bluest Sky (from the self-released The Bluest Sky) Chuck Melchin first appeared on our radar a number of years ago as the Bean Picker’s Union. Essentially a solo artist surrounding himself with a loose collective of acoustic players, he wrote songs that oozed melancholy and were tied to quiet and captivating melodies. […]
Vinnie Paolizzi – The Vinnie Paolizzi LP
Plenty of people, myself included, have lamented the music Nashville is known for has become a formulaic creation from click-tracks and tailgate party themes. While there’s certainly plenty of that, it’s an exaggeration to suggest that’s all there is. Case in point is Pennsylvania native, now Nashville resident Vinnie Paolizzi. After banging around Music City […]
The Pretty Flowers on Renting Vans from Costco and Not Setting Goals
The members of Los Angeles rock band The Pretty Flowers talk about why they need a new rehearsal space and the sisyphean task of making a living in a band.
Guy Forsyth Video Premiere – Rider
At the risk of mixing metaphors, Guy Forsyth started his journey washing dishes and mucking stalls in the musical kingdom of Austin. From those early days of busking on the UT campus he worked his way up to leading multiple bands and securing a residency at Antone’s, the throne room of Texas blues. Along the […]
Monday Morning Video – Dr. John
The Last Waltz, the all-star farewell concert by The Band on Thanksgiving night back in 1976 is the stuff of legend. As we wrap up the holiday weekend, here’s one of my favorite performances from that show – “Such a Night” by the late Dr. John.
Readers’ Pick: Luther Dickinson – Magic Music for Family Folk
You picked Luther Dickinson – Magic Music for Family Folk as your favorite new release for the week of November 17, 2023. Poll Results New Releases Readers’ Tops Fall 2023 EmiSunshine and the Rain – Sideshow (50 votes) Colin Cutler – Tarwater (30) Robert Finley – Black Bayou (23) The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds […]
Peace, Twang, and Turkey Grease: A 2023 Thanksgiving Toast to Tom Osborne
Here we are again! Thanksgiving 2023, y’all! which means we’re celebrating 19 years of Twangville’s existence. In what has become an annual tradition for us, we raise a toast to thank our contributors, our community, and the artists who give us something to listen to and write about. Without someone to make the music, we’d have nothing to […]