On episode 75 of the Taproot Podcast, Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner, and Molly Venter of Red Molly talk about their music backgrounds, the appeal of female trios, the excitement of playing Merlefest, the appeal their music has for the NYC coffeehouse crowd, and the…

Valentine's Day is upon us. Its time we revisit Eilen Jewell's Bang Bang Bang from 2011's Queen of the Minor Key. Cupid firing at random...using a sawed-off shot gun...random and even cruel. These sentiments line up more with most people's love experiences than the traditional depiction of Cupid and love.

This is a live clip of Bang Bang Bang from the Music Fog Marathon at SXSW in 2011. Have a listen and enjoy!…

Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns

Cluny II Newcastle

Thursday, February 10, 2012                      

Did you watch the TV series Treme, which was based around the lives of a group of musicians living in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? If, like me you did, you would have fallen in love with the type of music that Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns play.

The exotically tattooed Ms Lake fronts a five piece band that includes a…

The broken-hearted catch still haunts the voice, sweetly sad amongst the relentless rhythm of programmed drum beats and analog synths. With I Can't Keep All of Our Secrets, Rae Spoon's most electronic adventure to date, the former folk artist moves ever deeper into the world of electronica and dance beats. But one foot remains firmly planted in country heartbreak. This is no shiny happy dance album.

On first listen, it's easy to gloss over…

By W.J.  Hillock

Missy Werner/Three Kinds of Lonesome (Released 2011)

Just about every aspect of this CD is first class. Missy has put together a project that is musically, artistically, visually and tastefully appealing. A lot of effort was put into making this a quality release.

*This series will feature interviews with members of the Calgary and area roots music scene.  Calgary is one of the main cities in Alberta, a province in western Canada.  Interviews were conducted as part of the research for my dissertation, Roots Music in Calgary, Alberta, between 1999-2009.  Someday, when I get it together, I'll turn it into a book, but for now, I'll post these interviews here.*

Leader of the local country scene, Tom Phillips generates awe and envy wherever…

By Matt Shedd

Originally published at A Missing America

In 1977 that black cloud famously gathered over Memphis when the world was scandalized to discovered the king of rock and roll to be corpse, collapsed in his vomit. America had not…

Each year, the music industry and music fans gather in Austin, Tex., to celebrate music itself. Granted there's plenty of schmoozing and business happening, too, but for one short week live music is king across Austin - from clubs on 6th Street to parking lots in South Austin, and beyond.

Once again, we'll be joining the fray in 2012 with a No Depression Showcase at the Continental Club on Wednesday, Mar. 14. 

If you're heading to Austin for…

FTB podcast #151 features the new album by DARRELL SCOTT entitled Long Ride Home. Also new music from JACKSTRAW, AMELIA WHITE and CORNFLOWER BLUE. Here's the…

Over the years, I've interviewed sassy Canadian songwriter Kathleen Edwards several times and followed her career. With the release of Voyageur last month, which is getting lots of well-deserved critical buzz, I chatted with her for a cover story that just came out in Canadian Musician Magazine. We talked about her new direction - both personally, musically and professionally, and the influence of Justin Vernon (Bon…