Gonna be a long MondaySittin’ all alone on a mountain by a river that has no endIt’s gonna be a long MondayStuck like the tick of a clock that’s come unwound again and again As we mourn the loss of the wit, wisdom, and humanity of John Prine, here’s a collection of artists paying tribute […]
Music With a Purpose – Revived and Revitalized
Several years back I did a series about music released with an eye towards social impact or change. Called Music With a Purpose, it was one of the more enjoyable series that I’ve written. The starting point was some great music, made all the more significant given the underlying meaning. Well, the time has come […]
Monday Morning Video (and Audio) – Willin’
“Willin’,” by the late Lowell George, is one of those songs that many may not know by title but is immediately recognizable when it’s heard. It’s also a song to which many artists have gravitated over the years. Here is a video playlist of wonderful cover performances, starting with Uncle Tupelo and working through Tom […]
Peace, Love and Twang at the Philadelphia Folk Festival
The Philadelphia Folk Festival, which has been around for 54 years, isn’t your grandfather’s folk festival. While there is still a smattering of venerable acoustic solo folksingers on its program like Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Cockburn and Tom Paxton, the festival has become a great platform for Americana artists of all flavors as well as for […]
Monday Morning Video — Shakey Graves Sings About “The Perfect Parts”
One thing was immediately clear when Austin’s Shakey Graves passed through Boston a few weeks ago — he’s come a long way from his one-man band roots. Sure, he did a couple of songs solo but he quickly invited his two bandmates to the stage (drummer and guitarist/bassist). The three proceeded to whip the crowd […]
Mayer’s Picks – More Favorites from 2014
Here, in no particular order, are a few more favorites from 2014. And the War CameShakey Graves The Shipwreck From the ShoreAnthony D’Amato HealStrand of Oaks Parker MillsapParker Millsap All or Nothin’Nikki Lane Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill BroonzyDave Alvin and Phil Alvin Eli Paperboy […]
Mayer's Playlist for October 2014, Part 2
ALBUMS OF THE MONTH And the War Came, by Shakey Graves Austin-based Alejandro Rose-Garcia — Shakey Graves — makes a mighty fine racket. His live performances, generally just him on the stage playing guitar and percussion, are captivating. And the War Came is the rare studio album that captures this energy while simultaneously showcasing the […]
Twangville Fall Release Preview
Yup, the fall release calendar is shaping up quite nicely, thank you. Here are just a few that we at Twangville are excited to hear. SWIMMIN’ TIME by SHOVELS AND ROPE(25 Aug on Dualtone Records) SINGLE MOTHERS by JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE(9 Sept on Vagrant Records) RYAN ADAMS by RYAN ADAMS(9 Sept on Pax Am/Blue Note […]
Monday Morning Video: Shakey Graves
Austin’s Shakey Graves is a one-man band extraordinaire, crafting a sound that is raw yet refined. Here’s the evidence.
Wednesday Morning Video: SXSW 2013 Highlights, Part 3
We wrap up our SXSW 2013 coverage with a final set of videos. This collection features several up-and-comers that we’ll be hearing great things from in the years to come. Dawes performing their brilliant song “When My Time Comes” You Won’t playing a song whose title I don’t know (can someone help me and Shazam […]