Wrote a piece on another Lawrence, Kansas artist, songwriter Suzannah Johannes, and her song “Horserider’s Smile” for NPR’s Song of the Day. Read the piece and hear the song here.
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Suzannah Johannes, ‘Horserider’s Smile’
There’s another Song of the Day essay: The Walkmen’s song “On the Water” from You & Me. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: The Walkmen, ‘On the Water’
Here’s a short write up for NPR’s Song of the Day on Little Joy’s “The Next Time Around” from its self-titled album. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Little Joy, ‘The Next Time Around’
I originally envisioned this list as a sidebar list of songs to accompany this piece by Sara Fishko of WNYC about music in the 5/4 time signature. Since most people already know Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” and the theme to Mission Impossible, I thought I’d put together a few more songs in 5/4. Take a look here.
Every once in awhile I can truly brag a bit about my job at NPR. Such is the case with our occasional video series Tiny Desk Concerts where we invite musicians — typically singer-songwriters — to come play at All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen’s desk. These very informal sessions are a great way to feature some of our favorite, and often quieter artists in an intimate setting.
Check out this latest installment: Thao Nguyen. I helped put this one together as well as introduce Thao in this fantastically shot video. Also be sure to check the other videos in the series including Laura Gibson, Sera Cahoone, Vic Chesnutt, Sam Phillips and future installments with Jim White, Kurt Wagner of Lambchop, and Dr. Dog.
Wrote a short essay on Song of the Day on the tent-dwelling, psychedelic hippie freak-folkers, Brightblack Morning Light and their song “Oppressions Each” from their album Motion to Rejoin. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Brightblack Morning Light, ‘Oppressions Each’
Wrote an essay for NPR’s Song of the Day on The Lord Dog Bird’s song “The Gift of Song in the Lion’s Den” from its self-titled album. To read the full review and hear the song click here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: The Lord Dog Bird, ‘The Gift of Song in the Lion’s Den’
I have yet another essay for NPR’s Song of the Day, this time Stereolab’s “Valley Hi!” from its album Chemical Chords. To read the full review and hear the song click right here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: Stereolab, ‘Valley Hi!’
In my latest review for NPR’s Song of the Day, I tackle the War On Drugs. In a mere three paragraphs. Well, the band, not the futile efforts to curb the drug problem in America — that would certainly take a bit longer to fully dissect. To read the full review and hear “Taking the Farm” from Wagonwheel Blues click right here!
Continue reading NPR Song Of The Day: The War On Drugs, ‘Taking The Farm’
Shameless plug alert #204 in a 1017 part series:
Wrote a few more Second Stage reviews… first The Slant, a folky group from Pittsburgh and then Twin Tigers, a new shoegazer quartet from music-hotbed Athens, Georgia.
To read the review and hear the song for the Slant click here.
To read about and hear Twin Tigers go here.
PS… Also be sure to check out a great profile on Weekend Edition Saturday of Cuban guitarist Manuel Galban, of Buena Vista Social Club and Mambo Sinuendo fame. Check it here.