THROUGH THE LENS: The Roots of Americana in 10 Albums
In January a writer-acquaintance did a piece on what he sees as the 10 all-time best Americana albums. While I have given that some thought over the years, I decided to look at it from a bit of a different perspective: 10 albums that are precursors to what Americana is
Israel Nash Weaves Introspection with Wider World on ‘Topaz’
Man, the new Israel Nash album is a corker.
The backstory behind Topaz is fascinating: Nash built a Quonset hut recording studio a few hundred feet from his Texas home and spent most of last year holed up in it, writing, recording, and producing. Friends and collaborators (most notably, Adrian
THE LONG HAUL: How Do Freelance Musicians Buy Houses?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a three-part series in this column exploring financial challenges that affect musicians and their careers. Read Part 1, about how musicians are affected by student debt, here.
In 2013, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University published a study on
Jason Ringenberg Rocks Again on ‘Rhinestoned’
Jason Ringenberg is back, following his 2017 album, Stand Tall, and in top form with a collection of romping rockers. Fueled by his prowling rhythm guitar and his shimmering lead runs, they careen around the corners of social issues, lost love, the wreckage of cities, and the ghosts of the
‘A Real Kinship’: Jimbo Mathus and Andrew Bird Team Up for ‘These 13’
Andrew Bird and Jimbo Mathus are more than two accomplished musicians that work well with each other.
They’re friends, with a creative, open-minded chemistry built upon 25 years of mutual respect and a desire for continued artistic growth. It’s out of this relationship that These 13, their first-ever
Judith Hill Brings Influences from Multiple Places to Her ‘Hollywood’
Imagine Aretha Franklin as formidable a guitar player as a vocalist, Sister Rosetta Tharpe if she had jumped all the way across the aisle and stomped the bejeezus out of the gospel, compressing it into pure soul. Despite the heading on her latest project, Baby, I’m Hollywood, former Prince