Twangville

A music blog featuring Alt-Country, Americana, Indie, Rock, Folk & Blues. Est. 2005.

Monday Morning Video: Josh Ritter

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Josh Ritter is gearing up to release a new album this coming March. While we wait with anticipation, here’s one from the archives. This performance of “Empty Heart” took place in Belfast back in 2009 with an accompanying string trio billed as the “Love Cannon String Band.” It’s hard to tell who was having more […]

Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2012, Part 1

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ALBUMS OF THE MONTH Women & Work, by Lucero Lucero jumped on the major label train for their last release, 2009’s stellar 1372 Overton Park. Things didn’t go quite as planned but Lucero are a band that just won’t give up. Good thing, too, as the band are in peak form with a sound that […]

Stockbridge to Boston: A Special Playlist

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Here’s the latest installment of my playlist series highlighting the latest and greatest in New England music. FEATURED ALBUM C’Mon by Barnstar! There’s a lot to be said for just getting in the studio for a few days and just having fun. Now while I can’t confirm that this was the case with Barnstar, it […]

SXSW 2011: The Video Companion

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I got a bit carried away with the videos, compiling 26 great videos captured live at SXSW. Not surprisingly, we kick things off with the performance that introduced me to Maxim Ludwig & the Santa Fe Seven. From there, a three-fer from Alejandro Escovedo’s special Sunday night gig at the legendary Continental Club. We’ve got […]

SXSW 2011: The Scene, Part 1

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For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Music and Media Conference in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for SXSW. With upwards of 2,000 bands and 13,000 attendees, SXSW is the world’s premiere music conference. Even better, it is one heck of […]

Readers’ Picks: Best Albums of 2010 (Plus a Giveaway)

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Twangville readers rallied to give Paul Thorn‘s ‘Pimps and Preachers’ an overwhelming victory for album of the year. An interesting fact about the album is that Thorn himself painted the album cover. He painted the preacher to be his father and the pimp to be his uncle. You don’t have to look much further to […]

Mayer’s Playlist for Spring 2010, Part 3

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ALBUMS OF THE SEASON: Love on the Dial, by Stone River Boys From the depths of tragedy springs a new beginning. When Chris Gaffney, one half of the Hacienda Brothers, was diagnosed with cancer in early 2008, brother Dave Gonzalez led a tour to raise funds for his close friend. Among those who joined for […]

Josh Ritter Pops

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Last week was a great one for shows here in Boston. Among the best was Josh Ritter and his band performing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, the legendary home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ritter has always been a gracious performer but he was clearly moved by the moment. “This is such an […]

Mayer’s Playlist for March/April, Part 1

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ALBUMS OF THE MONTH: Traveling and Unraveling, by Steve Poltz Poltz proves himself to be a genuine musical instigator across two concurrent releases, blending a comedic wit and biting lyrics with instantly hummable acoustic melodies. Who else would react to life’s frustrations by asking the semi-serious question “What would Ghandi do in this situation, go […]