Articles Index
Dar Williams Live in Seattle
Northampton, Massachusetts, it can be said, has its own sound. The inland town's proximity to area colleges, Boston, and New York City make it a hotbed of singer-songwriter activity. In fact, Dar Williams spent a portion of her career living in Northampton and is, in no small part, characteristic of the singer-songwriter aesthetic that seems to pour out of that area. Read the full review of Dar Williams and Chris Pureka live in Seattle...
Interview with Bearfoot
Bearfoot has been making progressive bluegrass music for nearly a decade, churning out an average of one album every three years. In the wake of their latest album's release, Bearfoot lead singer Odessa Jorgenson was kind enough to chat with me about filling Analisa Tornfelt’s shoes and the new album.
Interview with the Felice Brothers
The Felice Brothers have, in a very short time, become one of the most vibrant new artists in contemporary folk and Americana music. Since the release of their debut album in 2006, the New York City-based quintet has been turning heads at festivals, bars, and clubs around the country. Currently on the road promoting their third album, 'Yonder is the Clock' (Team Love), James Felice was kind enough to chat with About.com Folk Music about the new disc, busking, and life on the road.
Interview with Gregory Alan Isakov
Gregory Alan Isakov self-released his fourth album this spring. That disc—'This Empty Northern Hemisphere'—has quickly become one of my favorite singer-songwriter albums of the year. With lush, warm arrangements that create images of star-strewn skies and wave-rocked boats adrift at sea, the album spotlights Isakov’s incredible artistic restraint and intuition. On the heels of that release, he was kind enough to chat for a spell with me about his creative process, among other things.
Interview with Paleface
Paleface released his 12th album in spring 2009, after packing up his things and moving from Brooklyn's tight and vibrant music scene down to North Carolina. Part-coaxed by his friends the Avett Brothers, he got to work on 'The Show Is on the Road' and released it Apr. 28, 2009, on Ramseur Records. Here he talks with me about the new disc and his new hometown.
Pete Seeger's Influence on Folk Music
Pete Seeger turns 90 on May 3, 2009, and events are happening all over the world in his honor. Learn more about Pete Seeger's influence on American folk music, particularly protest and topical song, with this overview of Pete Seeger's career and impact.
Interview with Sara Watkins
Sara Watkins has been performing with some of bluegrass and contemporary folk music’s greatest artists her entire life, both as one-third of the now-defunct Nickel Creek and lending her mad fiddling skills to her friends' recordings. She was recently kind enough to chat with About.com folk music about the new album, her time with Nickel Creek, and how going solo has changed the way she makes music.
Chris Pureka - High Dive, Seattle, WA (4/13/09)
Chris Pureka is one of the finest up-and-coming singer-songwriters from the New England songwriting scene these days. Here's a concert review of Chris Pureka live at the High Dive in Seattle, in support of her new album 'Chimera'.
Interview With Emily Saliers From the Indigo Girls
After collaborating for 20 years, the Indigo Girls are gearing up for the release of their 13th album, 'Poseidon and the Bitter Bug' (due Mar. 24). It's also their first independent release—a double disc that presents a collection of acoustic songs on one disc, and the same songs on a second disc, performed with a full band. I caught up with Indigo Girl Emily Saliers for a quick chat about what fans can expect from the disc and the duo's 20-year collaboration.
Mardi Gras Songs
Learn more about Mardi Gras songs and the history of the celebration. Long story short, traditional music and Mardi Gras go hand and hand. If you've ever walked down Canal Street on Mardi Gras day, you know what I'm talking about. Here are some of the great traditional songs that have become synonymous with American Mardi Gras.
All About Bluegrass Music
With bluegrass music constantly making a "comeback" these days, I thought it was high time I give you all the information you need to know before you venture out into the wild world of bluegrass pickers, newgrass rockers, and old time string bands.
Bluegrass Music from Foggy Mountain Boys to Nickle Creek
A brief history of the American bluegrass music, from the Foggy Mountain Boys to Nickle Creek.
Interview With David Wilcox
David Wilcox took one week this winter in a Ferndale, Calif., studio to make his next record, 'Open Hand' (due in April). Fresh from that experience, he was kind enough to hop on the phone with me to talk about the record, the economy, and how he knows a song is good enough and ready to share with the world.
All About American Folk Music
If you're new to American folk music as a genre, this'll be a great first stop index and answers to your questions. It can alsopoint you to the basic information you may want to know before heading out to delve into the genre.
Justin Townes Earle - Tractor Tavern (Seattle, WA 3/22/08)
With a name like Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve Earle, named for Townes Van Zandt), the bar was set kind of high. There's a certain expectation for the son of one of America's great protest singer-songwriters/alt-country artists. Needless to say, Justin Townes Earle delivered on all fronts.
Interview With Ani DiFranco About 'Red Letter Year'
Ani DiFranco's 'Red Letter Year' CD was one of the most celebrated releases of 2008. Once the public had a few months to digest it, she was kind enough to take the time to chat with me about the media's fascination with her happiness, among other things.
Interview With Janis Ian
Janis Ian has been turning heads with her provocative story-songs since she was a teenager. Now, a half-century later, she continues to raise eyebrows with her autobiography 'Society's Child.' Fresh from the book's release, Ian was kind enough to take a few minutes to chat with About.com Folk Music about what moved her to write it and what fans can expect in the next year or so.
Interview With Loreena McKennit
On her second full-length Christmas album, [/i]A Midwinter Night's Dream[i], Loreena McKennit focuses on songs of winter, inspired by and written for the Christmas festival and winter holidays. She recently talked with me about her decision to make the album, what she loves about Christmas, and some other ideas for projects in the future.
Interview With Brett Dennen About 'Hope for the Hopeless'
Brett Dennen was recently named one of Rolling Stone's "10 Artists to Watch," and with good reason. His latest album, 'Hope for the Hopeless' is filled with earnest, soulful love songs and songs about peace. His songwriting is stirring, and his voice is haunting and sweet. I caught up with Dennen for a quick chat about the record, and how it all came to be
Dar Williams Live in Seattle
Dar Williams' 18-year career has been full of understated goodness. Without much fanfare—albeit ten studio albums, a critically acclaimed collaboration with Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky (Cry Cry Cry), two books of young adult fiction, and countless tour dates—she has crept her way into the hearts and souls of a rather large audience.
Interview With Dar Williams
Dar Williams has been performing her rather literate, earnest songs for 15 years now. On her latest album, [/i]Promised Land[i] (due out Sep. 9), she teamed up with producer Brad Wood (Liz Phair, Pete Yorn) to deliver a group of songs that tell the stories of how people find the strength to make changes in their lives.
2008 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Review
The 2008 Rocky Mountain Folks Fest in Lyons, Colo., lived up to its promises, providing a chance to discover new talent and to enjoy known favorites. Although the first day was saw continuous soaking rain—practically unheard of in this part of Colorado—performers and festivarians were undaunted.
Interview With Anthony da Costa
Anthony da Costa was one of the artists I was most delighted to discover at the 2008 Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, Tenn. Onstage, he commands attention, and on record, the songs translate well. I caught up with him before he headed to Pennsylvania for the 2008 Philadelphia Folk Festival to talk about what it’s like being a teenage folksinger.
Ferron and Bitch Live in Concert
It's been one month since Ferron and Bitch released their collaborative album, 'Boulder,' and they've hit the road to share their collaboration with the world.
Interview With Ani Difranco
Ani Difranco talks with your Folk Music Guide about the state of New Orleans a year after Katrina, the war, protest music, tendonitis, and of course her latest album [i]Reprieve[/i].