Now & Then: The Milk Carton Kids’ Lost Cause Lover Fool and the Reach of Bookends
The Milk Carton Kids released their ninth studio album, Lost Cause Lover Fool, on April 24, 2026 via Far Cry Records and Thirty Tigers. The nine‑track record leans heavily on close‑mic acoustic guitars, sparse arrangements and the duo’s trademark tight harmonies. Critics draw a direct line to Simon & Garfunkel’s 1968 classic Bookends, noting similar themes of travel, aging and quiet introspection. While the new album feels more handcrafted than pop‑oriented, it updates the folk‑duo template for a modern audience.
India Ramey – Villain Era
Country singer‑songwriter India Ramey has dropped her fifth studio album, Villain Era, marking a bold artistic pivot. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Eric Corne and a roster of veteran studio musicians, the record blends honky‑tonk roots with western‑themed storytelling....
Trever M. Keith on Rehearsing in His Buddy’s Garage and Playing 1980’s Covers
Trever M. Keith, the founding frontman of So Cal punk outfit Face to Face, is debuting an Americana record titled We Drank From a Poisoned Well, slated for release on July 10. The album reflects his childhood love of classic country and serves...
Monday Morning Video – Dave Mason (1946 – 2026)
Dave Mason, a founding member of Traffic, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a pivotal figure in rock history. Beyond his band work, he contributed songwriting and guitar parts to legends such...
Now & Then: Vincent Neil Emerson’s Blue Stars and the Reach of Old No. 1
Vincent Neil Emerson’s new album Blue Stars channels the understated, detail‑driven songwriting of Guy Clark’s 1975 classic Old No. 1 while adding broader instrumentation and contemporary themes. The record leans on personal memories of Texas road trips, family, and Native heritage, yet remains...
Readers’ Pick: Vincent Neil Emerson – Blue Stars
Twangville’s weekly Readers’ Pick poll for the week of April 17, 2026 highlighted Vincent Neil Emerson’s *Blue Stars* as the top new release, capturing 19% of the vote (8 out of 43 total voters). The poll featured 18 competing titles, with the runner‑up I’m With Her’s...
Odd Marshall – Seconds
Odd Marshall’s second album, *Seconds*, dropped last month, featuring Blind Melon guitarists Christopher Thorn and Rogers Stevens. The record leans heavily into rock‑and‑roll, with tracks like “Run” and “Way Out” delivering heavy riffs and socially‑charged lyrics. Marshall, a filmmaker and novelist turned musician,...
Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band – Time
Veteran blues icon Taj Mahal, 83, drops his latest record *Time* on May 1, 2026, continuing a five‑decade‑plus career marked by genre‑spanning collaborations. The album weaves traditional blues with reggae, R&B, and rock, showcasing his enduring curiosity and musical versatility. Taj’s...
Monday Morning Video – Ted Hawkins
A 1988 Irish television performance by folk‑soul singer Ted Hawkins resurfaced on Monday, April 20, 2026. The clip showcases Hawkins' unmistakable, emotive voice that has long captivated niche audiences. While the original article offers little new information, the video’s online...
Now & Then: Fantastic Cat’s Cat Out of Hell and the Reach of Stage Fright
Fantastic Cat’s new folk‑rock record Cat Out of Hell delivers the band’s trademark wit while digging into deeper existential themes. The album’s rotating vocalists and four songwriters create a collaborative sound that echoes the ensemble chemistry of The Band’s 1970 classic...
Readers’ Pick: Fantastic Cat – Cat Out of Hell
Twangville’s weekly Readers’ Pick poll for the week of April 10, 2026 identified Fantastic Cat’s “Cat Out of Hell” as the top new release, garnering 32% of the 13 votes cast. The poll attracted 41 participants who evaluated 12 releases, with Gurf...
Hank Alrich – Broken River
Hank Alrich, co‑founder of Austin’s legendary Armadillo World Headquarters, is releasing his new album *Broken River*. The record blends folk, blues, jazz, and country while dedicating roughly half the songs to climate‑change themes. Tracks like “Blue Guru” and “Denial River...
Adam Gaffney Song Premiere – Product of Another Sad Song
St. Louis‑born singer‑songwriter Adam Gaffney is set to release his next album, *Product of Another Sad Song*, next month. The record is a country‑leaning collection that mixes honky‑tonk instrumentation with deeply autobiographical lyrics, many of which recount his battles with...
Ben Musser Song Premiere – Sentimental Fever
Ben Musser, a multi‑instrumentalist who previously lived in Austin, Nashville and New York, relocated to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he and his wife cultivated a small artistic community. Encouraged by fellow musicians Aaron Lee Tasjan and Scott Mathews, Musser recorded...
Monday Morning Video – Dallas House Show Preview
Twangville’s Sunday Social returns to Dallas on April 19, 2026, featuring Nashville songwriters Kevin Gordon, Joelton Mayfield and Miss Tess. The backyard‑style concert will start at 7 PM and highlights Gordon’s Southern storytelling, Mayfield’s alt‑country introspection, and Tess’s timeless songwriting. Fans...