I hugged Liz Isenberg

I ran into Liz Isenberg, resident of Providence, RI, last night. Not only is she a splendid songstress, but also the creator of this unbelievably fantastic music video where she air-guitars her own song. I don’t usually like things. But I like this.

Proof of Concept: Blind Pilot

I just found out about Blind Pilot. This is a band that began as a singer/songwriter and drummer duo. They’ve been playing, from what I can tell, about four years, and seem to be somewhat successful, now playing with a full band and a second album on the way. This means, at least, that a […]

I Will Put a Baby in Chan Marshall

Perhaps this is a completely inappropriate header, considering the subject of this song, but this Cat Power performance of Nude As the News is so powerful I don’t even have time to cry. It’s like she’s tearing out my jugular and eating it, and somehow making me ENJOY it. She hits that first “Jackson, Jesse.” […]

Younger, Better-Looking People With Better Ideas and More Talent

I’d tell you I’m losing my edge, but I never had one to lose. I am only the picture of fear and insecurity as I continue my ceaseless journey into the wilderness that is the music industry. My latest anti-hero? The Tallest Man on Earth (aka Kristian Matsson). He is younger, better-looking, sings as well […]

Art Rape -or- What money does to good musicians: Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding is unfuckingbelievable. Her voice is so magnetic and from what I can tell, she writes her own stuff, although once a songwriter pairs up with producers, god knows what actually happens. Regardless, this girl is for reals: Exhibit A Exhibit B She’s like a more-accessible, better-singing, more understandable Joanna Newsome. She’s even a […]

Vampire Weekend Becomes Animal Collective

I always thought Vampire Weekend was overrated. I also thought Animal Collective was overrated. But then, I think everyone but me is overrated. I also thought Vampire Weekend’s popularity would quickly expire. The whole “WASP” joke was too gimmicky to last. But they’re continuing to evolve, it seems, with a new album and some fresh […]

Songs that make me hate myself – Stornoway edition

This band out of Scotland*, Stornoway, has a single out called “Zorbing”. Listen. As a newly-minted solo artist, I’d say 30% of my energy is expended creatively, 30% on the business/marketing side, and the rest is spent propping up my fragile ego; telling myself to keep working, to do what I have to do to […]

Hayes Carll's "She Left Me for Jesus"

Was checking out some blogs and ran into this wonderful song by Hayes Carll via Jeff’s Songwriting Blog. “She Left Me for Jesus” by Hayes Carll. Those of you who know my songs know how important humor is to my music (and those of you who’ve known me for years saw it even more in […]

Playlist: Dropkick Murphys' The State of Massachusetts

I was working on a Boston-themed song for shows in the area and I started thinking about “Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys. Turns out they’ve actually written some other pretty catchy songs. Here’s my favorite of the batch: The State of Massachusetts Some bands yell for effect, but these guys actually yell […]