Here’s a gem from Fruition – an incredible blend of song, performance, and setting. The band just wrapped up an East Coast tour celebrating How to Make Mistakes but don’t worry, there are plenty more tour dates ahead. Their performances are high energy and captivating, spontaneous yet with a road-hardened presence. And with three singer-songwriters […]
Fruition – How To Make Mistakes
It’s an interesting idea, being a prisoner to your own success. You start out with your dreams, work your tail off, and then find out what got you to where you are is what’s holding you back from your future. Portland, Oregon’s Fruition found themselves with a little bit of that happening when the pandemic […]
Americana 2023, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
Every fall, The Americana Music Association gathers members, artists and music fans together in Nashville for its annual conference. Starting with the Americana Music Awards and continuing through several days of showcases and panel discussions, it is a tremendous celebration of Americana music. Here are but a few of my favorite performers and performances from […]
Monday Morning Video – Fruition
The great Fruition did a stripped down trio tour late last year. It was a wonderful showcase of the beauty of their songs and harmonies. Here’s “Wild As the Night” from 2019’s album of the same name.
Mayer’s Picks – The Best of 2022 (So Far), the Songs
Meant to Be, BER & Charlie Oriain (from the self-released And I’m Still Thinking About That) A wonderful discovery at this year’s SXSW… and one of my favorite songs so far this year. But I think you’re the one for someone else And that shit’s hard to say It’s okay, you feel the same and I can […]
Monday Morning Video – Fruition
Let’s start the week with the glory that is Fruition. I saw the group in NYC on Friday and it was a typical outstanding show, including a killer cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Walk and Talk”. Here’s the band a few weeks ago in Denver rehearsing Crosby, Stills, and Nash’s classic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Feb/Mar 2022, Part 2
Not Ready Yet, Jamie McDell (from the ABC Music release Jamie McDell) I’ve been not so patiently awaiting the latest release from New Zealand’s Jamie McDell. Her 2019 EP was a tremendous introduction to her songwriting talent, especially the pull no punches “Botox” and the raw emotion of “Worst Crime”. Both songs are featured, alongside […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2020
Here, in no particular order, are more favorites from 2020.
Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2020, Part 1
FEATURED ALBUM Trouble Don’t Follow Me, Christopher Paul Stelling (from the Anti- Records release Best of Luck) Christopher Paul Stelling has never been much of a conformist. While many artists are expressing anxiety and frustration with the state of the world, Stelling has decided to celebrate harmony and contentment. It’s all the more noteworthy for […]
The Twangville Early 2020 Release Preview
If the albums scheduled for release over the next few months are any indication, there’s a great year of music ahead of us. Here are just a few forthcoming long-players that we are eagerly anticipating in 2020. BROKEN AT THE BREAK OF DAY by FRUITION (17 January) Fruition are releasing their third album in just […]