Ruston Kelly Delivers His Own Brand of Dirt Emo To NYC’s Bowery Ballroom (SHOW REVIEW)
Ruston Kelly does not fit in. He isn’t making purely country music, or rock and roll, or even Americana. Instead, he has embraced genre-bending by creating one of his own: Dirt Emo. And it is the aptest description of the kind of grungy, moody, slightly twangy songs that make up his 2018 debut record Dying […]
Hiss Golden Messenger Delivers A Newfound Aching Via ‘Terms of Surrender’ (ALBUM REVIEW)
Being a traveling musician—an artist—is not a path toward a glamorous, fulfilling life. Even those lucky enough to get to make a living at it will likely emphasize that the grass is always greener. On his new record with Hiss Golden Messenger (HGM), M.C. Taylor comes to terms with that deep-seated conflict. Terms of Surrender, […]
Solid Sound Festival Day 3: Jeff Tweedy, Jonathan Richman & Wand Close Things Out On A High at MASS MoCA (FESTIVAL RECAP)
The final day of Solid Sound almost didn’t even happen. Apocalyptic rain, thunder and lightning nearly took over the day when it hit the area around noon, just in time for many festival-goers to be walking from their cars. Neither umbrellas nor ponchos could offer much protection, so it’s likely the weather deterred a sizeable […]
Solid Sound Festival Day 2: Wilco Leads Saturday Rock Marathon (FESTIVAL RECAP)
It was the ultimate rock and roll marathon for the second day of Solid Sound, from wild garage punk to noisy, experimental prog-rock. Despite a forecast that showed hostile periods of thunderstorms (and even hail showers), the sun overcame the clouds and beat down heavily on the crowds. As always with the grounds of Mass […]
Solid Sound (Friday) Kicks Off With Stellar Sets From Wilco & Courtney Barnett (FESTIVAL RECAP)
The beauty of Solid Sound is the drastic difference between each day at the festival. Night one is an odd balance of calm and buzzy excitement, much like the feeling of ending a long day of work at a show, ready to have a few beers and enjoy the live music you’ve been looking forward […]
Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival Kicks Off Friday at MASS MoCA (PREVIEW)
Though Solid Sound—a music festival curated by Wilco at which they headline (in different capacities) each of the three nights—may seem a strange concept to some folks, it has actually become one of the most interesting festival offerings in the Northeast. Every other year, Jeff Tweedy and co. are charged with creating a totally unique, […]
Julia Jacklin Returns To NYC & Sold Out Bowery Ballroom With New LP ‘Crushing’ Under Her Belt (SHOW REVIEW)
It was about two years ago when I first encountered Julia Jacklin, on an unseasonably frigid day in July at the Newport Folk Festival. She played a haunting set, her soft vocals competing with aggressive wind gusts that could knock you off your feet. A few months later, she played at Brooklyn’s Rough Trade to […]
Cass McCombs Gives Brooklyn’s Murmurr Electric Energy & Holy Vibes (SHOW REVIEW)
It is a strange experience to see a rock band in a big Jewish temple. There’s a sense that you’re in the presence of something greater, something holy. And that was the case when Cass McCombs took the stage at one such venue, Brooklyn’s Murmurr. A sold-out crowd showed up on a frigid night to […]
New West Records Artists T. Hardy Morris and Daniel Romano Team Up at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory (SHOW REVIEW)
It is early in the year, but one of the best double-billings you’ll come across in 2019 is on tour and is not to be missed. T. Hardy Morris and Daniel Romano, both of New West Records and both of whom released excellent records in 2018, have paired up for a series of shows together, […]
Soccer Mommy Gives Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg A Worthy Match (SHOW REVIEW)
One of the true standout records of the year, Soccer Mommy’s Clean is angst at its refined best. Polished, airtight melodies and Sophie Allison’s delicate coo make for an obsession-worthy collection of songs that will no doubt land on many a best-of list by the end of this year. Performing two nights in a row […]