Mike Watt and Mike Baggetta of mssv Talk Epic Touring Schedule, Collaborative Writing, and Recording New LP ‘On and On’ (ALBUM PREMIERE/INTERVIEW)
What began as an experimental live session in 2019 evolved through live play into an experiment-driven project called Main Steam Stop Valve, or mssv. The recording band and live band are currently the same group, including multi-genre songwriter and guitarist Mike Baggetta, mike watt (MINUTEMEN, fIREHOSE, Stooges), and Stephen Hodges (Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, David […]
Denison Witmer Talks Channeling New Life Perspectives on Sufjan Stevens Collaboration ‘Anything At All’ (INTERVIEW)
Lancaster, PA-based Singer/Songwriter Denison Witmer recently released the album, Anything At All, through Asthmatic Kitty Records. It was co-produced and recorded by Sufjan Stevens, who also performs throughout the record. The two have been friends for over twenty years, and for this album, what started out as, possibly, a more casual collaboration led to the […]
Steve Okonski Talks About Trusting The Process For Enchanting New Album ‘Entrance Music’ (INTERVIEW)
It’s a Venn diagram of jazz: composed and improvised, formal and loose. And listeners never know which fragment of Okonski they’ll see at any given time or if there’s even a meaningful distinction. The piano jazz trio, who dropped its new LP, Entrance Music, on February 28th, laid all its musical cards on the table. […]
Mike Farris Dials In A Legendary Sound With ‘The Sound of Muscle Shoals’ (FEATURE)
During those long school bus rides in Franklin County, Tennessee, Mike Farris entered a different planet. It was the world of radio. The bus driver fixed the dial to WCDT (1340 AM). From country to rock and roll to Motown and soul, from Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, to the Staples Singers and Al Green, […]
NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Rinehart Digs Deep For The Energy of New Wilder Woods LP ‘Curioso’ (INTERVIEW)
Wilder Woods is the solo project of NEEDTOBREATHE co-founder/frontman Bear Rinehart. On February 12th, Wilder Woods will release its third album, titled Curioso, via Dualtone, cementing a carefully excavated sound and live show feel that Wilder Woods has built up through touring with a full band. It’s also a collaborative album that not only builds on […]
Peter Holsapple Finds a Rock ‘n Roll Reflection in ‘The Face of ‘68,’ Shares New Track “She and Me” (SONG PREMIERE/INTERVIEW)
On April 18th, Peter Holsapple will release new solo album, The Face of ’68, via Label 51 Recordings. It follows 2018’s solo album Game Day, but also finds its place among his many collaborative projects, such as with Chris Stamey and with The dB’s, whose recent reissue program was followed by a tour. Holsapple’s long […]
Multi-faceted Songwriter Will Dailey on the Non-Release Model and Intimate Conversations of ‘Boys Talking’ (INTERVIEW)
Indie artist Will Dailey’s seventh album Boys Talking, is currently available as physical media like vinyl and CD directly from him, as well as by direct download. But only a limited number of the tracks from the album will be made available on streaming, and those releases will be spread out over time with fan […]
Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES Controls Her Pop Destiny On New Solo Tour (INTERVIEW)
Lauren Mayberry didn’t want to play it safe artistically on her adventurous new solo album, Vicious Creature. But she didn’t want her real life to be in danger before the supporting tour even started literally. When we talked on Zoom to the CHVRCHES singer and solo artist, the Scottish singer/songwriter was sitting comfortably in the […]
Al Schnier Reflects on 35 years of moe., New LP ‘Circle of Giants,’ Next Generation of Jam Bands, Touring Challenges & More (INTERVIEW)
When I speak with Al Schnier, he is on his way (to quote one of his band moe.’s most famous tunes) down to Mexico to join jam band peers The String Cheese Incident along with a slew of others for a few days of musical revelry on the beach. The shows will be among the […]
John McCutcheon on Creating Timeliness and Reflection on 45th Album ‘Field of Stars,’ Role of Appalachia, and Folk Inspirations (INTERVIEW)
Folk singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and educator John McCutcheon recently released his 45th album, Field of Stars, encompassing a wide array of moods and storytelling, but carrying his songwriting stamp of the genuine and focused. It’s also a testimony to masterful musicianship from McCutcheon and longtime collaborators like like Tim O’Brien and Stuart Duncan. The further features […]