New Slanged: Dominic Solis of Madisons
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Not all southern gothic songs have to sound as though it’s just moments either before, during, or after a thunderstorm. It doesn’t have to all be drenched with dark tones. Austin-based country folkers Madisons prove just that with their debut record Desgraciados. They’re mainly light in timbre, tone, and sound. By … Read more
New Slanged: Lilly Hiatt
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Singer-songwriter Lilly Hiatt recently made the move from one Music City to another–from Nashville down to Austin. And as much as things change, they stay the same. Her songwriting and songs has been almost immediately appreciated and acknowledged by the locals as worth listening to. I mean, if you … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day V: Final
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief We went ahead and waited over the weekend to release the winner. Forgive us for the wait. Below, you’ll see commentary on the Championship songs in our Dirty River Boys Song Tournament. Check out the previous days in the tournament using the following links. Monday-Day I Tuesday-Day II (First Round) … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day V
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Below, you’ll see commentary on the Final Four songs in our Dirty River Boys Song Tournament. Check out the previous days in the tournament using the following links. Monday-Day I Tuesday-Day II (First Round) Wednesday-Day III (Sweet Sixteen) Thursday- Day IV (Elite Eight) Later today, we will share the ultimate … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day IV
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the Elite Eight. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here, as well as our first round results here Sweet Sixteen results here. As a reminder, songs are … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day III
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the second round. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here and as well as our first round results here. As a reminder, songs … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day II
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Welcome to the Sweet Sixteen. Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the first round. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here. The Sunset Limited 1) Boomtown Bye 4) Summer … Read more
Dirty River Boys Song Tournament: Day I
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Songs about trains. The Dirty River Boys have more songs mentioning trains than rivers–hence the four regions being named after four famous trains, The Sunset Limited, City of New Orleans, California Zephyr, and The Tex-Mex Express. In short, they sing and write about exactly how they describe their acoustic-driven stompers: … Read more
New Slanged: The Deadstring Brothers
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief I often speak about the concept of records being Saturday night or Sunday morning records. They’re either something you want to listen to on a binge of whiskey, cigarettes, cheap beer, and good times or they’re a relaxing coffee fueled morning. The properties that make up such records are typically … Read more
New Releases: Amanda Shires
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief Amanda Shires’ fourth solo album, Down Fell the Doves will be released August 6. The eleven track album was produced by Andy LeMaster (Bright Eyes, R.E.M.) and recorded in his Chase Park Transduction Studio in Athens, Georgia. The recently married Shires’ backing band came from a familiar place, her husband … Read more
New Slanged: Zane Williams
by: Hallie Bertrand Staff Writer In his the title track to his ninth record available June 4, Zane Williams gives a how to lesson on how to become an Overnight Success. 13 years in, he knows a thing or two about the music industry and all its gilded ways. “Everybody calls you an overnight success. Hey, and … Read more
New Slanged: Kisses
By: Ryan Heape Associate Editor “Don’t be so cynical,” Jesse Kivel pleads on a track titled “At The Pool” from Kisses’ sophomore LP, Kids In LA. It’s hard to imagine that he’s addressing us. Even in their more melancholic moments, it’s actually difficult to listen to Kisses and feel something like cynicism. Much of Kids, … Read more
New Slanged: Ray Wylie Hubbard
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief “The days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, I have really good days.” –Ray Wylie Hubbard, “Mother Blues” You know the thing about Ray Wylie Hubbard that makes him the most interesting? It’s that outside of Willie Nelson, he’s probably the most adaptable Texan singer-songwriter going. He’s … Read more
New Slanged: William Clark Green
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief William Clark Green just released a new record. It’s called “Rose Queen.” I’m sure you’ve heard of it if you’re reading this blog or a Blue Light regular. And you know what? It’s about time he made this record. With “Rose Queen,” potential, talent, experience and all the other things … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day VI: Final
by: Thomas D. Mooney & Ryan Heape Editor-in-Chief & Associate Editor It’s about that time. Your Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament winner is “Good Lord Lorrie.” Learn how we got this conclusion in the following posts: Monday: Bracket Introduction Tuesday: First Round Results Wednesday: Sweet Sixteen Results Thursday: Elite Eight Results Friday: Final Four Results, Championship Championship Match-Up 1) … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day V: The Final Four
by: Thomas D. Mooney & Ryan Heape Editor-in-Chief & Associate Editor This is easily a better Final Four than the happened last weekend. Easily. I won’t waste any more time. On to the results. Monday: Bracket Introduction Tuesday: First Round Results Wednesday: Sweet Sixteen Results Thursday: Elite Eight Results Friday: Final Four Results, Championship (later … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day IV
by: Thomas D. Mooney and Ryan Heape Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the second round. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here, first round results and commentary here, and second round … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day III
by: Thomas D. Mooney and Ryan Heape Editor-in-Chief and Associate Editor Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the second round. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here as well as the first round results and commentary … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day II
by: Thomas D. Mooney & Ryan Heape Editor-in-Chief & Associate Editor Welcome to the Sweet Sixteen. Below, you’ll find the results and commentary on the first round. We’ll post the results of the next round tomorrow. For more information on how exactly we came to these results, check our Day I post here. NORMAL STREET … Read more
Turnpike Troubadours Song Tournament: Day I
by: Thomas D. Mooney Editor-in-Chief The Turnpike Troubadours, arguably are the most gifted alternative country band currently in the nation. Their ceiling seems limitless. Their potential and promise, it’s unmatched. It’s a perfect storm. They’re the face and sound of a southern music revolution. It’s “Texas Country” by geographical standards. It’s roots music by sound. It’s … Read more
