Photo courtesy of Facebook Traveller: Country Music’s Quirky Group of Highway Guys Interview by Elisa Regulski Call them a super group if you want, but Traveller’s Robert Ellis, Jonny Fritz, and Cory Chisel don’t really care if you call yourself a fan. With five solo albums between the three of them, these quick-witted songwriters aren’t … Read more
Photo by Mike Holp Carson McHone: Artistic Evolution Feature by Elisa Regulski As the grass tickled our legs on a lethargic Austin City Limits morning, a crystalline voice floated above the speakers. For many listeners, Carson McHone’s set simply acted as a peaceful start to the weekend’s manic, musical marathon. Her lilting waltzes and resonant … Read more
Photo by Joseph Llanes Even when I dream all day Even when I dream all day “Our bus driver has been driving for something like 12 hours now,” guitarist Andrew Wessen says from the road. “I don’t know how he’s still up.” Wessen and his Los Angeles-based band, Grouplove, are currently on the Honda Civic Tour … Read more
There’s a Cowboy Junkies memory I’ve never been able to erase from my mind: I often think back to the time I heard Margo Timmins sing “Thirty Summers” at The Pageant in the summer of 2001. I have the bootleg somewhere in my house, and sure, it helps recreate the moment, at least sonically. But, … Read more
Photo by LeAnn Mueller A year from now, things won’t be the same for ZZ Ward. The multifaceted and absurdly talented artist who grew up in Roseburg, Oregon should take a deep breath now, because those 1.1 million views for her video, “Put the Gun Down,” will soon seem ordinary. And the day is arriving … Read more
You’ve all heard the story, and it goes something like this: aspiring musician creates demo tape/CD/jump drive/etc, hands that piece of technology to an artist or artist’s manager, waits by phone. Except, the phone never rings. Unless you’re Olivia Jean, who beat all the odds. After winning over Jack White with a demo, Jean has … Read more
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco | Photo by Jason Gonulsen Our Best of 2014 continues with a look back at the interviews we conducted in 2014, from Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy to Grouplove. Here are a few snippets, with links to the full interview. Jeff Tweedy on creating set lists, emotions I think that we strive to … Read more
ZZ Ward | All photos by Chapman Baehler Buy a one way out of this city Everything that I need Got it with me It’s been quite a run for Roseburg, Oregon’s ZZ Ward, who will be making her third stop in St. Louis tonight at Plush ($22; buy tickets here). You might know her from outstanding … Read more
Tonight, Valerie June will be performing with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at The Pageant in St. Louis in support of her latest album, Pushin’ Against a Stone. She’ll also be performing a brief set at Vintage Vinyl around 3 PM 4PM. We selected “Workin’ Woman Blues” as one of our Best 150 Songs of 2013. … Read more
Photo by Catie Laffoon Katie Cole recently released her full-length debut album, Lay It All Down, which was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Howard Willing. Its lead single, “We Started a Fire,” was released in 2013, and the hook was grand. Let’s have a listen. A few weeks ago, we chatted with Katie … Read more
Photo by Frank Maddocks Nashville’s The Wild Feathers are back in St. Louis tonight at The Old Rock House (Doors 7PM, Show 8PM / $12). Their self-titled debut album was one of our 50 Best Albums of the Year in 2013; let’s have a listen to its single, “The Ceiling.” We recently caught up with … Read more
Photo by Nick Simonite Wayyy back in January (yes, it’s already April), we made White Rabbits’ “Heavy Metal” our Jam of the Day, probably creeping you out with the video we’re about to post again, you know, just for the hell of it. It might not be heavy metal, but there’s nothing light about it, … Read more
Love every song that I know You ask me well how so Strange I can’t defend I love how every song ends There are twenty songs on Sukierae, the new album released today by Tweedy, a duo featuring Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and his son, Spencer. And the song I’m most interested in is the one … Read more
All photos by Agatha Donkar Last spring, SiC ran an interview with Scott and Grant Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit, about their family, their musical history, and playing with a sibling. This is a second in that series, with Chapel hill’s Dex and Sara Romweber of Dex Romweber Duo. Speakers In Code: You said you have … Read more
WE TV’s first original scripted series, the eight-episdoe The Divide, made its debut in July. The series, written by Richard LaGravenese and directed by Tony Goldwyn, is beautifully augmented by an original score created by Dhani Harrison, Paul Hicks, and Jonathan Sadoff of the band thenewno2. Let’s have a look at the trailer for The … Read more
Photo by Eliot Hazel I’m in misery where you can seem as old as your omens And the mother we share will never keep your proud head from falling The way is long but you can make it easy on me And the mother we share will never keep our cold hearts from calling There … Read more
Mason Jennings’ 11th studio album, Always Been, was on SiC’s Top 50 last year, and the Minnesota singer recently took the time to answer a few questions about the album and his songwriting process. Jennings is wrapping up a spring tour with a show at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh tomorrow night, 5/29, at 8pm. … Read more
It’s Valentine’s Day, and I’m talking to Shane Cody, the drummer of Houndmouth, who finds himself on tour in Denver. His girlfriend did not make the trip. “Yeah man,” he says. “I’d like to thank ProFlowers for delivering those flowers to her.” Sounds like a guy who knows how to plan ahead. But really, Houndmouth … Read more
Photo by Pascal Amoyel Lily & Madeleine is a duo on the rise, making waves with delicate and honest simplicity, and they’ll soon set out on a nationwide tour in support of their self-titled, full-length debut, which featured the beautiful “Sounds Like Somewhere,” one of our 150 Best Songs of 2013. Let’s have a listen. … Read more
Photo by Pamela Littky Tonight in St. Louis, an extraordinary double-bill is on tap with GROUPLOVE and alt-J set to rock the KPNT 105.7 The Point Ho Ho Show at The Pageant. And as you might have noticed, we released our 150 Best Songs of 2013 yesterday, and Grouplove’s “Ways To Go” checked in at #72. Let’s have … Read more
Album cover for Local Natives’ Hummingbird As we hang on to the last days of 2013, let’s have a look back at some of the words that were by spoken by artists we’ve interviewed this year. From talking to Pegi Young on her tour bus, to speaking with Local Natives’ Ryan Hahn via phone while … Read more
Photo by Tim Richmond And in the limp through years of bored schooling She’s accustomed to hearing that she could never run far A slipped disc in the spine of community A bloody curse word in a pedestrian verse Frightened Rabbit’s albums and Scott Hutchison’s words have been with me in the best of times … Read more
Photo Credit: Agatha Donker Oberhofer busted up on our radar early last year when we happened across a free EP the duo posted on its website, quickly gaining the band a Jam of the Day nod, as well as a spot on our Best Songs of 2010 list. But we’re not the only ones who are keeping a … Read more
We first met Markéta Irglová five years ago, when she was only 18, a quiet and charming character in Once, the film about music and love that stole hearts around the world. Irglová’s “almost-relationship” in the movie with fellow musician Glen Hansard became a reality when a real-life relationship blossomed, and then, suddenly, ended. Irglová … Read more
On Wednesday evening in Saint Louis, Rachael Yamagata will be bringing her new songs to Blueberry Hill (purchase tickets here), including the stellar “Even If I Don’t,” a tune you need to hear right now. Seriously, right now (the video is cool, too). The last time the singer-songwriter was in town, she thrilled us with … Read more
All Photos by Ashley Babb “Those guys are in this for the right reasons,” said some guy standing next to me. Sometimes it’s the simple statements that can help wrap up an experience in a nice bow. The guy was right. The Apache Relay really is in it for the right reasons, assuming of course … Read more
The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles has produced numerous singer-songwriters: Joshua Radin, Cary Brothers, Rachael Yamagata — the lists goes on and on. If you’ve got something to say — if you can write a song — you will find your way, it seems. Just ask the latest Hotel Cafe sensation, the Dutch-born Laura Jansen. … Read more
Starting Friday afternoon, we’ll be in Kanrocksas mode, live tweeting from the two-day festival in Kansas City, Kansas. Rain or shine, the inaugural event is bound to be a lot of fun, with a Ferris wheel, bungee jumps, a water slide (“SLIDErocksas”), and a hot air balloon glow presentation during the evening. And, oh yeah, … Read more
There are few voices that stop me in my tracks. You know, ones that you fall in love with the first second you hear them; ones that make you wonder where they had been all your life. Alyssa Graham has one of those voices. She has the songs to go with it, too. In fact, … Read more
Photo by Graham Tolbert “Baby Missiles” perfectly illustrates everything I adore about musical juxtaposition. ’80s synth pop mixed with country-rock? Yes, please. I’ll have that. The War On Drugs frontman, Adam Granduciel, has a purposefully wobbly delivery on “Baby Missiles” that reminds me a little bit of Mark Knopfler on Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life.” … Read more