Posts by Maeri Ferguson

Newport Folk Fest was off to a rip-roaring start today at Fort Adams, with three stages packed back to back with lively sets from newcomers and old favorites, and even a tribute to Pete Seeger in the museum space. As per usual, the Harbor Stage was reserved for some of the quieter, more acoustic acts, […]

[rating=7.00] To commit so fully to psychedelic rock is a feat not many bands undertake, and even less bands do well. The Black Angels have defined themselves within this genre so distinctly; it’s hard to imagine them doing anything else. And that’s just fine because they’ve honed their craft so tightly, especially on their new […]

When you see Missouri band Ha Ha Tonka live, you find yourself wondering over and over, how are they not selling out arenas? Especially following the release of Lessons last fall, it’s a wonder why such an incredible band doesn’t get the endless recognition they so obviously deserve. They don’t sound like any other band, […]

Newport Folk Festival attracts a distinct few groups of people. There are those who bought their three-day passes before any kind of lineup was ever announced, putting all their trust in the curators to create an unforgettable weekend of great music; there are the ones who come mainly for the atmosphere and location because Fort […]

[rating=8.00] It gets louder when we’re singin’ together,” Eleanor and Chris Masterson sing on the title track off their second full-length album Good Luck Charm. Coming off the acclaim of their debut Birds Fly South, The Mastersons are stronger than ever both vocally and in their songwriting. Playing off each other’s strengths, they have perfected […]

[rating=7.00] The first full-length record from Vancouver band Jpnsgrls plays out like the fast-paced, hormonal diary of a teenager. Circulation is an impressive debut from the young foursome, and tackles some pretty hard-edged themes. With a “live fast die young” mentality laced through the record like a sketchy joint, Jpnsgrls simultaneously arouse the fear of […]

[rating=9.00] On their stunning sophomore album Big Black Dog, Birmingham, AL duo Dead Fingers create eccentric and imaginative soundscapes. Songs about heartbreak, uncertainty and resilience are kooky and unique, but always thoughtful. Dead Fingers are a band to watch. The husband and wife duo join an impressive lineup of acts on the Big Legal Mess/Fat […]

[rating=9.00] A super group like The Delines only comes around so often. A collaboration between vocalist Amy Boone, the Decemberists’ Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Minus 5’s Tucker Jackson, Sean Oldham, Freddy Trujillo, and beloved songwriter and novelist Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine, their new record Colfax wipes a finger through the thick layer of dust settled on […]

[rating=9.00] Fans of Tim Easton who aren’t yet familiar with his side project Easton Stagger Phillips will want to catch up quickly. The trio’s second album Resolution Road is a fantastic collection of songs that will undoubtedly appeal to country, folk, pop and rock ears alike. Easton Stagger Phillips is made up of Easton, Leeroy […]

If you’ve never seen blues-rock powerhouse Patrick Sweany with a full band, make it a mission to do so as soon as possible. Often performing as a one-man band, playing instruments with every available limb, Sweany shines even brighter with this more multi-dimensional sound. When he played his set at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC […]

Nikki Lane is the indie country chanteuse of the moment, and on the tail of the release of her latest record All or Nothing, she’s on a musical high. She took the stage at New York City’s Mercury Lounge on Sunday, June 22nd to a crowd that seemed to have filled the room in mere […]

When Tristen took the stage at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg on Monday, June 2nd, you might not even have known she wasn’t just one of the crowd. With her cool vintage looking dress and sweet throwback 90’s pixie cut, she looked right at home as a Brooklynite. But when she started singing with that […]

In an unusual turn of events, lower Manhattan flooded on Thursday, May 22nd, leaving the Mercury Lounge inaccessible, and leaving Stone Jack Jones and his “From Nashville with Love and Torture” tour mates without a venue. Thankfully, The Delancey saved the evening, offering the four acts a stage. Unfortunately, they definitely lost some of their […]

[rating=9.00] The Sharon Van Etten you’ve gotten to know on her last two records Epic and Tramp, respectively, has made some major changes. Her newest release Are We There is more lucid and much bigger, making waves with more pop-heavy melodies and a quicker pulse than we’re used to from her. And it’s really something […]

The Howlin’ Brothers owned the room at Subculture in Manhattan on Wednesday, May 21st, and definitely took many folks in the audience by surprise. If anyone in attendance wasn’t familiar with their music, they left there as devotees. Playing a long, nearly two hour set with no opening band, the trio kept a really nice […]

Hayes Carll and Caroline Rose compliment each other very nicely, as was evident during their show at Brooklyn’s Bell House. Both are rootsy, Americana artists with bare-bones song-writing, that work naturally well together. Caroline Rose’s on-stage persona is unexpectedly quirky. With her soulful and raw outlook on life coming through in her music, it’s a […]

[rating=9.00] Five albums and over a decade into her career, singer-songwriter Mirah is getting back to her roots, literally. Her new record Changing Light covers a lot of earthly ground, from animals to nature and seasons. Hailed as a breakup album, Light deals with being in transition on deep levels, confronting mortality in fascinating ways. […]

[rating=8.00] Atmosphere’s new record Southsiders is a statement in slowing things down.  At this point in their nearly 20-year career, Slug’s got a family and it seems that he and Ant are finally taking a step back to breathe. That signature sense of urgency and intense energy is still there, but it’s mingled with a […]

[rating=8.00] Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll are the constant theme on the newest studio album from beloved country alt-rockers Old 97’s. Most Messed Up is chock full of sarcasm, satire and fantastic stories, weaving together a kind of rock and roll quilt of all the fun they’ve had in their lengthy and seemingly never-ending […]

Bobby Bare Jr. owned the house at his Undefeated album release party at Mercury Lounge in NYC on April. Celebrating his new record Undefeated, Bobby and his band—a drummer in a spandex skeleton suit and a keyboardist—did a straightforward set of tunes, old and new. Opening the show with “The Terrible Sunrise”, the band started […]