All Some Kind of Dream, Josh Ritter (from the Pytheas Recordings release Fever Breaks) Josh Ritter is one of the most literate songwriters of these times, waxing poetic as easily as unleashing fiery commentary. He sets the tone early on the newly released Fever Breaks with “Ground Don’t Want Me” a somewhat jubilant melody and […]
Mayer’s Playlist for Fall 2017, Part 2
No Heart Left Behind, Hannah Aldridge (from the Rootsy Music release Gold Rush) “I take my heartache with a little bit of ice,” announces Muscle Shoals-raised Hannah Aldridge on “Burning Down Birmingham,” one of several stand-outs from her latest release. Electric guitars lead the charge, sometimes chugging with an insistent stoicism and other times unleashing […]
Monday Morning Video – The Yawpers Have “Suspicious Minds”
Denver-based The Yawpers made their inaugural trip to Boston (well, really Cambridge) last week. They drew a respectable crowd for a late Sunday night set and proceeded to whip the audience into a frenzy with their distinctive blend of punk, rockabilly and bad-ass rock and roll. They even seemed to take in stride (and actually […]
Mayer’s Playlist for November 2015, Part 1
Wonderin’ Where, Joe Ely (from the Rack ‘Em Records release Panhandle Rambler) Joe Ely is a one of the great American musical storytellers. His latest album finds him in a rather reflective mood, casting a thoughtful eye on the characters and landscape of his beloved Texas. Whether he is painting a picture of the lonesome […]
Nate Cook of the Yawpers on Being Stranded In Bakersfield and What It Means to Have a Favorite Job
Nate Cook of Denver’s the Yawpers talks about sampling the local fare while on the road (and the trade-off between eating and sleeping when touring) and his first gig playing to an unappreciative audience.