“We had our first Pitchfork review about an Elliot Smith tribute we did, and they said, ‘One of the more interesting takes came from members of the younger generation who probably grew up after Elliot Smith passed away.’ We were like, ‘What are you talking about? Do you think we’re 15?’ I’m 35 years old!”... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Pokey LaFarge
There was surely something in the water at Wonder Ballroom in Portland, Oregon Tuesday night. I bore witness like a soul being saved to the genre-blending music of Pokey LaFarge. He walked on stage, with his arms wide open, a welcoming host with his merry and mischievous band of story tellers. The night was to... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Andrew Combs
Take me home country roads, for I have never been so homesick for the South as after seeing Andrew Combs last night at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon. After I obsessively listened to his music over the last two months, I was anxiously waiting to see this performance by the man from Nashville that could... Continue Reading →
Bluegrass at Bonnaroo
Since 2013, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has featured a SuperJam dedicated to the appreciation of bluegrass music. The annual showcase is presented by The Bluegrass Situation and headed by Ed Helms who, rumor has it, moonlights as an actor when he’s not picking a banjo. While Helms adds a bit of star power,... Continue Reading →
Live Show Review: Quiles & Cloud
The intimacy of the City Winery listening room was the perfect setting for grassy folk trio Quiles & Cloud to share the moving music from their latest release, Shake Me Now, out in March via Compass Records. Made up of Maria Quiles, Rory Cloud, and Oscar Westesson, the three hail from the temperate climes of... Continue Reading →
Interview: Sarah Siskind
Sarah Siskind is on her way to Nashville from her home in the mountains of North Carolina; the phone reception is iffy through the Smokies, and the line goes silent. “Can you hear me now?” she asks. “Okay, I’ll just keep leaning this way while I talk,” she laughs, and right away, I’m struck—though we... Continue Reading →
Interview: Rose Cousins
“If my guts had a landscape, it would be Prince Edward Island,” Rose Cousins says with a laugh of her seaside Canadian upbringing. “The further I get away from how I grew up, like thinking it wasn’t that interesting, I see how special it was now that I’m older and have been traveling all over,”... Continue Reading →
Grand Finale: Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender at The Opry
Upon entering the Grand Ole Opry, the crowd was met with the sounds of The Cowpokes, who set the mood early with a traditional honky-tonk twang filled set. With a mix of Boogie attendees and country music fans getting in on the action, anticipation was in the air for a night of country legends. The show... Continue Reading →
MCP at The Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender, Part 2
With the echoes and memories of the prior day still in mind, I was excited to see what a new day would bring at the 2017 Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender. Saturday’s lineup included a mix of legends and up-and-comers in the rockabilly scene. First, I popped in on Nashville Lower Broadway favorites, Brazilbilly. Lead singer JesseLee... Continue Reading →
Review: Hillbilly Casino at The Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender
I have heard their music. I have watched their videos. I was still not prepared for the hard-rocking frenzy of Hillbilly Casino at the 2017 Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender. With a loyal legion of fans pressed against the Ryman Garage Stage at Opryland Hotel, the band was ready to throw down from the first note—and the energy never let... Continue Reading →