Back in May, we made Lindi Ortega’s “Little Lie” our Jam of the Day, and since, the tune has been featured in USA Today’s playlist, and been talked about all over the blogosphere. We aren’t surprised. Ortega’s a sassy and talented artist, one that is going to win over plenty of fans in 2011. The … Read more
“Take a walk with me, you know which way I’m going,” sings Jill Andrews on “Sound of the Bells,” the opening song on her full-length solo debut, The Mirror. Andrews’ 2009 self-titled EP started with a declarative statement (“Take your hands out of your pockets and hold me”); The Mirror is more like a gentle … Read more
I’m not sure I can take it I’ve nothing strong to hold to I’m way too old to hate you My mind is full of razors To cut you like a word if only sung But this is my song Those are lyrics from “My Song,” the first Brandi Carlile song I ever heard live, … Read more
Photo by Erin Preston Gregory Alan Isakov will release his third album, The Weatherman, on Tuesday, July 9th, which also marks his return to St. Louis at The Old Rock House ($12-15, 7 PM). Geoff Koch (from St. Louis, now via Nashville), another fine songwriter, will open the show. Let’s have a listen to Isakov’s … Read more
I don’t love you, but I always will. It’s the lyric that Joy Williams and John Paul White of The Civil Wars will never escape. The stabbing lyric at the heart of their breakthrough song, “Poison and Wine.” The one moment where truth bites beautifully and leaves an immediate scar. It’s the lyric that you … Read more
If you believe the notion that a song, or album, for that matter, is supposed to make you a believer during its first twenty or so seconds, then The Barr Brothers have struck gold in 2011. Their self-titled debut album is stunning from the start, leading with a song that should be on many “Best … Read more
Arguably one of the best bands in South Africa (if not the best), The Parlotones are searching for something more. And that’s not easy, considering their mighty résumé. Multi-platinum records? Sure. Opening for Coldplay in front of 60,000? You bet. World Cup performers? No problem. U.S. stardom? That’s next on the list. And I wouldn’t … Read more
On Saturday, you’ll have two opportunities in Saint Louis to catch the phenomenon known as Lights. At 3:30, the Canadian sensation will be performing a special acoustic set at Vintage Vinyl, and later that evening, she’ll be doing a full electro-pop set at The Firebird. The latter should sound something like “Banner,” her latest single. … Read more
Last August, Amy LaVere took part in our 10 to Spin series. Her theme? The road. Well, “Planes, Trains, and Automoblies,” to be exact. And guess what? LaVere’s on the road again, back in Saint Louis tomorrow night at the Old Rock House, opening for Rich Robinson (8 PM). We’re big fans of LaVere’s 2011 … Read more
Photo by Katie Guymon You and I, we’re the same Live and die, we’re the same These days, there are a few songs by The Avett Brothers that are hard for me to listen to, only because they hit too close to home. “I and Love and You” is one of those, and their new … Read more
All photos by Lauren Ross You should listen to your heart it’s gonna tell you what you need Take care of yourself and don’t you worry about me Last September, we were given a demo of one of Tristan Prettyman’s new songs called “Say Anything,” and naturally, we wrote about it. What we didn’t know … Read more
Photo by Shervin Lainez I’ve been a Mynabirds fan since the band’s inception, doting on singer-songwriter Laura Burhenn more than sporadically on this here blog. I’ll keep this interview introduction simple: after talking with her, I think I’m in love. A whip-smart, creative, grounded/groundbreaking woman is, of course, not an anomaly, but I still feel … Read more
Photo by Jo McCaughey My favorite Bob Dylan album is, and always will be, Desire. (And yes, I’ve played the wonderful Time Out My Mind and Blood on the Tracks to death.) As a lover of music, its songs first taught me the difference from being angry and being confident, and that telling the truth … Read more
Photo by Steve Gerrard I was feeling so lost for so long I didn’t know what to do It was 2008 at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room in Saint Louis, and Kathleen Edwards and her band had just finished playing her songs with such fire, such enjoyment that, really, she sounded nothing like she did on … Read more
From the moment I first heard Fyfe Dangerfield’s “When You Walk in the Room,” I knew I had made a friend for life. This song just cannot be denied; its spirit is infectious. Ten years from now, it’ll be a great day when this pop gem randomly plays on my iPod. That is, if I … Read more
Say “Hallelujah” I never knew ya until now HONEYHONEY will be releasing a new album on this Tuesday, June 9th, and it’s called 3 (you can pre-order it here). 3 was produced by Dave Cobb, who recently worked with Jason Isbell (Southeastern; Something More Than Free) and Sturgill Simpson (Metamodern Sounds in Country Music). Suzanne Santo and … Read more
Oh Honey is Mitchy Collins and Danielle Bouchard, a duo from Brooklyn, whose new release is an EP titled Wish You Were Here. It’s the third of four EPs they’re calling “Postcard Series,” designed to give their fans a steady stream of new tunes. Let’s have a listen to the upbeat single, “Sugar, You,” now. … Read more
We’re ten minutes into our interview talking about Air + Style, the snowboarding/skiing/music event that Shaun White is bringing to Los Angeles — its U.S. debut — on February 21 and 22 (purchase tickets here), and White’s dog isn’t having it. “Sorry,” White says. “He’s outside fuckin’ barkin’ at people.” The Rose Bowl is about … Read more
Photo by Sonya Jasinski Lucie Silvas was raised in New Zealand, but Nashville is her current home. Her body of work is impressive — she’s shared the stage with the likes of Elton John, Lionel Richie, Kacey Musgraves, and Tom Jones — and her latest self-titled EP is fantastic. Let’s have a listen to “Letters … Read more
Photo by Laura Wilson Let’s see where the night takes us Let’s see where the night goes In late April of 2014, Josh Ritter traveled to Chicago to play two shows at the City Winery. In between those dates was an off day, and playing across town at the Chicago Theatre was Neil Young, who … Read more
Photo by Rozette Rago Interview by Elisa Regulski You may not know these fuzzy punk rockers by name, but you’ve almost certainly heard their music. Hit play on their top track on Spotify, and the chorus will instantly perk your memory. These musicians are more than just catchy hook-slingers penning tunes like “Class Historian” and … Read more
Get ready, because this one is an emotional ride. Hello Industry is Nathan and Heather Peterson, and you could say they have a story to tell. They have released a new EP titled When I Was Young, and it is inspired by their daughter, Olivia, who was not supposed to live a week after her … Read more
Photo credit: Rusty Ralston Griffin House is one of the most honest, heartfelt, and talented singer-songwriters making music today. That’s just a fact. Needless to say, I was very excited to chat with House about his upcoming June release, The Learner, and to ask about a bunch of other stuff including, but not limited to, … Read more
You might not know the “name” Sally Seltmann. There is a reason for this. For starters, Seltmann recorded under the moniker “New Buffalo” for years, and gained plenty of fans doing so. As a result, this makes her new album, Heart That’s Pounding, her first project under her real name. Sally who, right? Or maybe … Read more
Photo credit: Andrew Waits Seattle folkies, Jesse Loritz and Kimberly Morrison, comprise the duo that is The Dutchess & the Duke. They’ve spent the winter touring to support their 2009 release, Sunset/Sunrise. This is an album that unequivocally felt like me the moment I listened to it. I was lucky enough to chat with Loritz about … Read more
Feature interview by Jason Gonulsen “It was intentional on my part,” Joy Williams tells me via phone from Venice Beach, California, where she now lives part-time with her husband (and manager), Nate Yetton, and son, Miles. “I felt like it was important to start where I left off, and I’m glad that I did.” Williams … Read more
Ashamedly, two weeks ago, I hadn’t heard of Courtney Jaye’s music. I know, I suck. However, I recently read a blurb on Pitchfork about her cover of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Sometimes Always” (one of my favorite songs of all time…yes, of ALL TIME) with Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, hopped on over to her MySpace to … Read more
When Liz Phair released the song “Bollywood” from her new album, Funstyle, on her website in July, it caused a few Twitter waves. And these waves had teeth. They were “how could Liz Phair rap and release this song?” waves. People were pretty sure Liz Phair had rabies, or something. On first listen, I didn’t … Read more
PHOTO BY RACHEL WATERS Moving Hearts and Hips: Gina Chavez’ Musical Legacy Written by Elisa Regulski “It starts raining on us in the desert, men are screaming for Rhianna, and I’m just like ‘this is totally not what I expected in Saudi Arabia.’” Six days at a massive music festival in Austin was nothing compared … Read more
Photo by Bridgette Aikens Even the darkest hour soon will be over My friend, it will be over For me, 2012 was the best year and the worst year. I’m over the worst; still can’t get enough of the best. It’s the year I discovered Metric, specifically their album Synthetica and the song “Clone,” which … Read more