Noah Zacharin Points of Light Self-released Noah Zacharin is a Canadian singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist who delivers his ninth album with Points of Light. Although this is mostly a quiet, acoustic based folk album, there are elements of blues and rock as this adept guitarist exhibits few boundaries. At times he is completely mesmerizing in […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Charlotte Morris Charlotte discovered her passion for music at a young age. After starting violin lessons at the age of four, Morris taught herself how to play the guitar, piano (and melodica), ukulele, banjo, acoustic bass guitar and mandolin, and began taking her songwriting seriously by […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with “The Common Practice” The Common Practice have a brand new album titled: “Theater Kids” … from pop/funk dance beats, to tender ballads, to classic rock, to alt-country, all while maintaining a signature sound glued together by the orchestral strings and four part harmonies! I mean What? […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Skarlett Woods Entwining Swing and Jazz into folk-themed stories of love, she has a stage presence that demands the attention of a oom. Taking her listeners on up-beat rhythmic rides over heart- swelling arrangements of originals and covers, Skarlett has simply become more comfortable showing herself […]
Randy Lee Riviere Blues Sky New Wilderness Blues Sky represents a shift for singer-songwriter Randy Lee Riviere, teaming again with the acclaimed producer Kevin McKendree who produced, engineered, and mixed the album. The last time we visited Riviere he and McKendree delivered a western tinged Americana effort, 2021’s Wyoming. Before that, under the moniker Mad […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Alex Miller Rising Country star Alex Miller isn’t pondering life after college graduation or a future foray into the work force. Instead, the 6’ 6” singer/songwriter from rural Lancaster, Kentucky is referring to this year as “Alex 2.0” and awaiting the upcoming release of his EP, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jim Patton and Sherry Brokus Over the first two years of the pandemic, Patton joined his longtime producer Ron Flynt in Jumping Dog Studio to record twenty songs they later narrowed to the eleven (plus a coda) on the album. Patton’s new songs, while not directly […]
Anton O’Donnell Tomber Sur PRW Need to Know Trust that this, though the artist may be and certainly the title is unfamiliar, is a terrific singer-songwriter album. Now for the explanations: 1) Anton O’Donnell is a Scottish musician who somehow connected with longtime producer Brian Brinkerhoff who helmed this album with 18 musicians participating spread […]
Chest Fever Music from Big Pink Blind Owl Let’s get the prerequisite qualifier down first; this writer has made an exception and is covering a cover band. It’s only happened three times before, and for the same reason – love and respect for the music of The Band. Two of these were with Jim Weider-led […]
Robert Rex Waller Jr. See the Big Man Cry Have Harmony, Will Travel See the Big Man Cry is the second album from I See Hawks in L.A. frontman Robert Rex Waller Jr., who collaborated with Carla Olson to record this wide-ranging effort. The two have long sung together in shows around L.A. and each […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Miles and Mafale Catherine Miles & Jay Mafale are married co-conspirators in song. They are two scoops of modern folk with a generous sprinkling of pop-catchiness, topped off with the wit and flair that comes of their theater backgrounds. Catherine’s voice – resonant, expressive, a powerhouse. She’s got […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Martin Zellar If you ask singer-songwriter Martin Zellar what he’s most proud of over his long career, he answers, “I guess that I’ve managed to support my family by writing, recording, and performing music for over 35 years. It hasn’t always been easy or glamorous, but […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you a review from Jared Dustin Griffin Jared Dustin Griffin is a singer-songwriter with influences coming from Americana, Blues, and Country music. Raised in the west he took to the road at an early age, traveling across the country and abroad to carve his voice out of the roots […]
Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon Together Appalseed This collaboration between two giants of folk music, Tom Paxton and John McCutcheon, seems predestined but still may not have happened if it weren’t for the intervention of the pandemic. Though a series of conversation via ZOOM, the reminiscing and sports talk soon turned to songwriting, resulting in […]
Steve Gellman All You Need Self-released Multiple award-winning Maryland singer-songwriter Steve Gellman has released his thirteenth album, All You Need. The album carries the ambience of an authentic folk singer backed by an impressive casts including members of The Seldom Scene, guitarist Nina Gerber, Chao Tian (a special star on this album), Grammy winners Cathy […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Slyboots Slyboots’ unique yet cohesive sound can be attributed to their different tastes, but similar inspirations. Despite their wide-ranging influences: The Beatles, The Kinks, The Smiths, The Cure – their shared admiration for strong females that have paved the way, e.g., Talking Heads’ Tina […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Customers The Customers are a rock band formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1995 by Ryan Sexton. A demo of Sexton’s songs found its way onto the desk of Neil Young’s manager, Elliot Roberts, who was then in the process of launching Young’s fledgling label, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an Interview with The International Treasures Doyle Turner and Ted Hajnasiewicz are two gifted musicians who have come together to create something truly extraordinary. There is a palpable synergy when they appear together on stage. Tugging on heartstrings and bringing smiles to faces since 2020, your Minnesota neighbors […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jeff Plankenhorn Jeff Plankenhorn’s songwriting, expressive vocals, and musicianship are front and center on his latest album, Alone At Sea, produced by Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn, Keb Mo.) New sonic territory is explored on this gem of a long player. The title track, “Alone at Sea,” is […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Ben Gage Ben Gage is a songwriter from Akron, OH blending folk and roots blues. Ben Gage grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio, spread out in the countryside along the great Lake Erie. His roots run deep alongside the hard working blue collars […]
Heather Lynne Horton Get Me to a Nunnery Pauper Sky Singer-songwriter Heather Lynne Horton delivers the richly ethereal Get Me to a Nunnery, transporting us to some otherworldly place that seems cushioned by clouds and sounds that echo well beyond mere earthly realms. It’s a sound forged by her violin, layered voices, and the keyboards […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Chris Murphy For 25 years, and with no sign of slowing, violinist Chris Murphy has made a living by writing, performing and recording original music. For Murphy, the path forward is charted by looking backward, to the troubadours and minstrels of ages past. Forget the exaggerated […]
Will Bernard & Beth Custer SKY Dreck-to-Disk Guitarist and composer Will Bernard should be a familiar name to readers of these pages as we’ve covered him on straight-ahead trio, organ trio, and ensemble releases for Posi-Tone, and his 2022 exploratory effort Pond Life. The ever-adventurous Bernard now goes in yet a different direction, with his […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Ed Sweeney Ed Sweeney honors people and their histories by presenting music that entertains and educates. Through his musical expertise, breadth of knowledge, and wonderful sense of humor, he helps listeners, understand the motivations, stories, and culture that have made us who and what we are […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Dwight Twilley Dwight Twilley and partner Phil Seymour created an enduring and highly memorable brand of power pop that blended Beatlesque pop and Sun rockabilly “slapback” echo. Only a fraction of the band’s early output was made available at the time, but these records are highly […]
Home Page Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Brynn Andre Minneapolis singer/songwriter Brynn Andre released her debut in 2010 chronicling the twenty-something dance between liberation and loneliness. Her upcoming release goes deeper. Like a sequel, Honeymoon faces a woman’s next chapter, whispering: what happens after the honeymoon? The songs find Brynn married to the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Robby Vee! Robby Vee “The Prince Of Twang” was born Robert Velline named after his father Bobby Vee. He is recognized by both the American & Canadian Rockabilly Hall of Fames and in 2019 he was recognized by the IRRMA for a Iowa Rock n Roll […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mary Strand Writers often say they always knew they wanted to be a writer when they grew up. Ha. I wanted to play for the Harlem Globetrotters. Or skate with the Ice Follies. Or be a U.S. Senator. Women often say they had this secret desire […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Bob Halligan Jr of Ceili Rain CEILI RAIN is an original, innovative blend of pop-rock music with a dash of Celtic/Irish flavor and a subtle, but sincere, uplifting/joyful message. The band is led by front man, Bob Halligan Jr. As a songwriter, Bob Halligan, Jr., has had over […]
Hiss Golden Messenger Jump for Joy Merge Jump for Joy is the tenth album for the North Carolina-based Hiss Golden Messenger (HGM), led by frontman and singer-songwriter M.C. Taylor. The band first hit the scene in 2009 and have been consistent since, delivering their trademark mix of folk, pop, and modern-day cosmic country. Over the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Payson Lyon Payson Lyon’s songs speak volumes beyond the words and music. Long Day’s Journey Into Light is a more than apt title, as this debut album has truly been a long time coming. Although he’s been writing songs and playing music for over 50 years, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Fathom Lane Led by acclaimed songwriter Michael Ferrier, Minneapolis folk rockers Fathom Lane return with their first album since 2017. IN THE DRIFTLESS is a poetic and nuanced blend of country, folk, pop, and rock with lyrics exploring themes of loss, isolation, addiction, discovery, and ultimately: […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mostly Trees Mostly Trees is a 4-piece band from Minneapolis, known for their take on guitar driven rock that ranges from grunge to dream pop. Their new style is a stripped down version of their earlier work, realized after bonding over a modified version of the […]
Maia Sharp Reckless Thoughts Self-released Maia Sharp has been writing songs for 25 years, some for her own albums and others for artists such as Bonnie Raitt, The Chicks, Lisa Loeb, Trisha Yearwood, Art Garfunkel, Cher, Edwin McCain, Terri Clark, and many more in her genre agnostic – hard-to-pin-down approach which she has carried into […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Heatbox Aaron “Heatbox” Heaton (aka The One Man Entertainment System), personifies a true renaissance musical pioneer in his prime. How does Heatbox level up an impossible decade plus career spanning multiple lanes of otherworldly creative mastery? He writes and produces a seminal work of musical comedy, […]
Beth Bombara It All Goes Up Black Mesa It All Goes Up, the seventh album from rocking Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist Beth Bombara, follows her 2019 acclaimed Evergreen, which unlike some her previous work, delivered hopeful themes. This one is even brighter, as the songwriter reconnected with an old classical guitar during the pandemic and forced herself […]
Darlingside Everything Is Alive More Doug/Thirty Tigers The folk ensemble Darlingside follow their acclaimed 2020 Fish Pond Fish with Everything Is Alive, their fifth, which marks a slight change in their united front, in favor of more individual statements. Band members Dave Senft (vocals, bass), Don Mitchell (vocals, guitar, banjo), Auyon Mukharji (vocals, violin, mandolin), […]
SUSTO My Entire Life New West My Entire Life is the fifth album for the Americana outfit, SUSTO and the first time we have covered them on these pages. The 12-song set was produced by Wolfgang Zimmerman (Band of Horses), Justin Osborne and Johnny Delaware, three of the band’s principals. My Entire Life follows their critically […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Daryl Mosley Grammy nominated songwriter Rick Lang says, “If you want to know Daryl Mosley, just listen to his music. There is a unique transparency in that soft, Southern drawl and his impressive collection of songs.” Daryl writes and sings about small town life, faith in […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Scott Zosel Ellen Stanley dubbed Scott Zosel as ‘a songwriter’s songwriter.’ Inspired by the bold poetry of Emily Dickinson and the psychedelic country of Gram Parsons, the Minneapolis-based artist has always been drawn to artful and fearless storytelling. “Writing songs is the last thing I think […]
The Contenders The Contenders Southern Moon Sometimes an album, even one that’s been out of print for some time, just refuses to die. Such is the case for The Contenders, an immensely talented group of Carolinian singer-songwriters with eclectic tastes that merged in the late’70s in Nashville. The scene was ripe and burgeoning at the […]
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway City of Gold Nonesuch Play the last song of this dazzling bluegrass adventure first. Throughout “The First Time I Fell in Love,” a lilting “Mr. Bojangles”-like melody carries Molly Tuttle’s soul baring recollections of being a teenager. Tuttle was diagnosed with Alopecia as a three-year-old, and it quickly advanced to […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Ben Noble Ben Noble released his 3rd album ‘Bitter Work’ on May 26, 2023. Bitter Work is a journey through the constructs of his religious roots and the ways that he has tried to learn outside the confines of dualism – right and wrong aren’t as certain as we […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene presents an Interview with Aaron Smith Aaron Smith’s songs explore the mystery of human experience, searching for the meaning of love, family, heritage, kindness, doubt, and grace. In vignettes infused with an infectious sense of hope and humor, the unlikely heroes of his songs — grandmothers and grandfathers, street preachers […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Mitch Hayes Americana/Folk Artist of the Year” (2016 and 2018 Queen City Music Awards), Mitch Hayes is an award-winning singer/songwriter, recording and national touring artist from Charlotte, North Carolina who now calls Oklahoma home. His music is as eclectic as the creative influences that have helped […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Pistol Pete Wearn Pistol Pete Wearn is a solo acoustic blues artist who performs raucous and upbeat material accompanied by slide guitar and a stomping foot. His music has been played on BBC 6 Music, described as “as true as it gets” by Blues Blast […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Michelle Malone A mainstay of American roots music for more than 30 years, Michelle Malone has built an award-winning career as a singer, songwriter, and road warrior. Her music is ingrained in the soundtrack of the American South, mixing the rebellious stomp of roadhouse rock & […]
Brian Kalinec The Beauty of It All Berkalin Texas singer-songwriter Brian Kalinec writes about common, everyday subjects but has a special gift for infectious hooks and memorable rhymes. He grabs us right away with his opening autobiographical title track, welcoming us into an album brimming with comforting folk songs. Acclaimed producer Merel Bregante at Cribworks […]
South Austin Moonlighters From Here to Home Self-released Austin and South Austin may not have the bustling roots-rock/Americana scene they had in late ‘90s and early 2000s but The South Austin Moonlighters are here to evoke those glory days and remind us that their music is still a vital part of what the Live Music […]
William Lee Ellis Ghost Hymns Yellow Dog Ghost Hymns is the first album in over a decade for versatile roots artist William Lee Ellis, godson of Bill Monroe and son of Blue Grass Boy banjoist and composer Tony Ellis. Currently William Lee Ellis is Associate Professor of Music and Chair of the Fine Arts Department […]