More than once, my father has mentioned a desire to trace our family tree. I only understand this practice in abstract terms though. The closest concrete example I know of such a family tree comes not from any genetic kinship but rather attempts by friends to detail the shared ancestry of musicians in local bands. […]
More than once, my father has mentioned a desire to trace our family tree. I only understand this practice in abstract terms though. The closest concrete example I know of such a family tree comes not from any genetic kinship but rather attempts by friends to detail the shared ancestry of musicians in local bands. […]
Avoiding categorization has become a music biz cliché but The Revivalists’ refusal to commit to a single genre has played in the group’s favor. The New Orleans-based rock band has been welcomed by funk, soul and jam band communities with open arms, and the inability to pigeonhole its sound has diversified its fan base while allowing […]
Acoustic folk singer Jessica Lea Mayfield digs in on her third album Make My Head Sing…, with ’90s-era distorted riffs lending a darker tone to her acclaimed, emotionally charged songwriting. The Ohio native (who frequently credits Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl as an influence) takes an intense departure from her plaintive style and hits the grungy […]
Performers are typically talkative. Sure, some are eccentric. And some have bouts of social awkwardness. But for the most part, people willing to get up on stage to entertain others are willing to talk about themselves. Not so Lucas MacFadden, a.k.a. Cut Chemist. The man who first made it big lurking behind the turntables for […]
D.C.’s punchy pop trio Jukebox the Ghost brings youthful optimism and thoughtful darker themes together on its new self-titled album. Guitarist Tommy Siegel and drummer Jesse Kristin lay down uptempo beats as frontman Ben Thornewill tickles the ivories and doles out contemplative, infectious lyrics on an album that’s filled with road loneliness and heartbreak tied […]
In an age when singers are obsessed with tweaking and expanding classic genres, it’s nice to find a band dedicated to preserving musical heritage. Cabinet is unapologetically devoted to bluegrass in the classic Appalachian tradition. With rhythm marked by fast-picked banjos and energetic acoustic riffs peppered with folklorical lyrics, each song is a peek at […]
Marie Landragin just didn’t fit in. How could she? She was born in Australia to French parents and then found herself in the early ’90s going to high school in Culpeper, Virginia, population 45,000. “At the time, I definitely suffered some culture shock,” Landragin said. “I think for two years I didn’t have any friends.” […]
Lucinda Williams is on a roll. After a feverish songwriting spell, she recorded 30 tracks, 20 of which made the cut on her new double album Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone. The extended effort checks off a couple of new accomplishments for Williams, the longstanding songstress who’s maintained a steady presence on the […]
If you ask fans how they classify the music of Deerhoof, you’ll most likely be answered with shoulder shrugs and some sort of take on ”awesome.” The San Francisco group has built its reputation by refusing to be defined by labels or genres, running the gauntlet of every music form imaginable. It’s punk. It’s rock. […]
Although he may not be a household name, Pierce Pettis has been a forerunner of the singer-songwriter scene since the mid-’80s. His original songs have energized the genre and inspired covers by Garth Brooks, Suzanne Vega, and Shawn Colvin. During his 30-year career, Pettis has released more than 10 albums and played just about every […]