Your Front Row Seat To Americana Music
One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is kindness; You never truly know the extent of someone's personal struggles, what someone might be dealing with at a given time, or what sort of day a person might be having. A word of encouragement or a simple gesture like a smile can do to... Continue Reading →
Micky Braun first climbed on stage to join his father's family band when he was about five-years-old, and since then, Braun and his brothers never stopped. Big brothers Cody and Willy started Reckless Kelly, and Micky and brother Gary left their Idaho home for Austin and started Micky & The Motorcars, a road-dogging favorite whose... Continue Reading →
With his new album, Dirty Wonder, Tennessee-by-way-of West Texas troubadour K Phillips embodies the diverse sounds and styles of his Lone Star state upbringing. The album, released on March 10th via Rock Ridge Music, features "Nobody Does It," a frank conversation between soon-to-be ex-lovers framed up inside an easy-going groover. We met up with K and... Continue Reading →
Sunny Sweeney--Trophy Sunny Sweeney is unafraid to tackle heaviness in her finely-crafted classic country-style songs—in the grand tradition of women like Loretta Lynn, who weren’t afraid to take someone to “fist city,” Sweeney sings of the choice to make a career instead of a family, drunken naughtiness, and substance abuse. In the title track (and... Continue Reading →
Aaron Watson - Vaquero For the uninitiated, there's country, and then, there's Texas country. Veteran music-maker Aaron Watson's latest release, Vaquero, is a beautiful example of just that; between the radio-friendly tracks on the ambitious 16-song stunner are the real gems--songs like "They Don't Make'Em Like They Used To" and the album's title track that brim with life... Continue Reading →
Brigitte DeMeyer & Will Kimbrough - Mockingbird Soul These two were born to sing together, and this collaboration proves it. Though it's not their first rodeo together, these best friends and longtime music-makers have knocked it out of the proverbial park with Mockingbird Soul; by mixing acoustic stylings with straight out of the swamp harmonious blues,... Continue Reading →
Alt-country outfit Vandoliers blend Texas two-stepping country rock with touches of Tejano and mariachi—and throw a little rowdy punk rock in for added flavor. “The punk is my fault,” laughs frontman Joshua "Fireball" Fleming. “I was in a punk band for a long time. When you’re in a three-piece band, it can get a little volatile,... Continue Reading →
Upon experiencing Shane Smith & The Saints' live show earlier this year, I was completely blown away; their expansive brand of Texas country is made even richer through their assortment of stringed instruments, stellar harmonies, and the power of Smith's vocals; when reviewing their show, I wrote: "Smith’s deep and gritty voice is unexpected and enormous; ... Continue Reading →
Alt-country artist Jeremy Nail's new album, My Mountain, produced by the iconic Alejandro Escovedo, is an excellent addition to his catalogue; the heart of a classic Texas troubadour beats strongly in this masterpiece. The title track, with its hint of blues and loads of soul, is an exceptional way to begin the album's journey. Nail has established a signature... Continue Reading →
Dale Watson doesn’t mince words. “Mainstream country all sounds the same, it has no roots, it sounds like boy bands gone country. It’s all about money, what appeals to teenagers and to people who are easily programmed,” says the Texas-based honky-tonk legend. “It’s whatever the flavor of the month is with a little country twang.”... Continue Reading →