Natalie F-ing Hemby, where have you been all my life?! She first blasted into my consciousness a few years ago as a member of supergroup “The Highwomen”, alongside Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile, and Maren Morris. Now Hemby as emerged as her own powerhouse with this record, which has been playing on repeat in my car […]
Search Results for: photos that rock
Americana 2021: Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Going back through the schedule to consider the highlights is always a frustrating experience. Not only is it tough to feature just […]
Newport Folk Festival – Saturday
In the era of Covid, the seemingly eternal Newport Folk Festival must rise again. Splitting the festival in half (half the people and the acts) and adding a second trio of days was a novel idea. It satisfied the board of health and the desperate fans. It sold out quickly (long before artists were announced) […]
Old Settler’s Music Festival 2019 – The Music
Every year in mid-April I head to Austin for the Old Settler’s Music Festival. Â Here are some of the highlights for me of the 4 day line-up. Kickin’ It Off: Â The first night of music at OSMF is always in the campground and a nice welcome to get things started right. Â The first band was […]
Guster on the Ocean- Friday night at the State Theatre
Written by Jeff McMahon, Photos by Suzanne Davis McMahon On the Ocean, Guster’s very own summer festival, entered it’s second year. The band pulled together a festival for the very specific fan that loves Guster. In Portland, Maine, Guster fans were treated to a fun time among friends. As fans of Guster, we seem to share a […]
Newport Folk Festival 2018: Stars Rising Higher
While this year’s Newport Folk Festival included lots of new acts, it also included those who are dependably brilliant artists for years. Jason Isbell is almost single-handedly elevating country/Americana music to new heights. Sturgill Simpson has brought unabashedly thoughtful country to the discerning listener. Jenny Lewis has a long history of critical acclaim including her […]
Newport Folk Fest 2018: New Arrivals
At Newport Folk Fest 2018, the lineup included both established artists and up-and-coming artists. The up-and-comers were particularly compelling this year. Brand new artists, those coming together as a new band, and those with a totally new sound. This year’s committee did a great job of finding acts coming into their own and all of […]
Newport Folk Fest 2018 Preview
On our previous two trips to cover Newport Folk Fest for Twangville (2014 and 2016), my wife and I were particularly excited to see big draws in the Americana scene (Ryan Adams, Nickel Creek), living legends (Elvis Costello), or big name contemporary acts (Jack White, Alabama Shakes). This year, the slate is packed with rising […]
Jason Isbell – Divine Providence
“How did we not know about this show?” my wife said to me. “I have no idea.” Even though we have two little ones under four and rarely make it out to shows (when we used to attend three or four regularly per week), a Jason Isbell show is an event. His songwriting, particularly since […]
Girls Guns and Glory at the Sinclair
Girls Guns and Glory at The Sinclair Cambridge, MA; January 14, 2017 To see Ward Hayden come out on the stage at the Sinclair, you’d have no idea that he was from Scituate, Massachusetts. His new record, with his face on it, implies a more introspective view of the music. And Hayden’s entrance in a […]