There’s a long tradition of dark stories, darker personalities, and black-hearted endings in Americana and folk music. They range from the myriad of circumstances highlighted in the plethora of murder ballads to the teary ending of an outlaw motorcycle rider, or a fervent prayer to not have one’s last minutes be in a cheap motel. […]
Meris Gantt – Forced Revival
There’s a fine line between being in a rut and addiction. Sometimes you think it’s the former and in your attempt to get out you realize there’s more to it. That’s the position North Carolinian folk singer-songwriter Meris Gantt found herself in. A two-year journey to shape her new life became the basis for her […]
Joanna Connor – Best of Me
When I saw Joanna Connor tear it up at a blues festival awhile back I swore I would never neglect work her again. She’s great. Go see her and buy her music, including her new release, Best of Me. Connor is known for her commanding vocals and brazen guitar licks. Her mastery of the guitar […]
Jeremie Albino on His Tour Van “Marisol” and Time Spent Working as a Farm Laborer
Singer-songwriter Jeremie Albino talks about the racoons at his rehearsal space, playing weddings and wineries, and his approach to changing broken guitar strings.
Laura Cantrell on the “Reward Reflex” and An Early Songwriting Challenge
Country singer Laura Cantrell talks about her shared rehearsal space and getting advice from Eric Ambel after her first gig.
Bonus Monday Video – Willie Nile
I had the pleasure of joining Willie Nile at his 75th birthday show in Asbury Park, NJ over the weekend. We should all be so lucky to have as much energy as he brought to the stage for the celebration. Here are two versions “Heaven Help the Lonely”, a fave Nile song, captured nearly 30 […]
Monday Morning Video – Caitlin Rose
How about starting another week with a great pop song from a Nashville-based artist? This week’s choice is Caitlin Rose and her song “Getting It Right” from her 2022 album CAZIMI.
Readers’ Pick: Bob Dylan – Shadow Kingdom
You picked Bob Dylan – Shadow Kingdom as your favorite new release for the week of June 2, 2023.
Alexander Wren – To Whom It May Concern,
Concept albums aren’t a new thing, of course. You may see them less frequently than you used to but they’re still around. Alexander Wren puts a new twist on them, though, with his debut full length album, To Whom It May Concern,. It’s an open letter to the universe: a combination of love letter to […]
Kiss Off – a Special Twangville Playlist, Part 7
A few times over the years I put together a series of special playlists featuring my favorite kiss off songs. Despite what some may think, I’m really not that cynical. Rather, I just appreciate how some songwriters can tackle the topic with humor and bite. It’s kind of like a genre unto itself. There have […]