Steve Horowitz

2 weeks ago | popmatters.com | Steve Horowitz

September Days Truly Handmade Mike Delevante’s September Days is the kind of album that sneaks up on the listener. Like the month referred to in the title song, the music’s allure lies in its delicate mix between what was and what happens. September exists on the cusp. It’s when the heat of summer and the coolness of fall meet; when one returns to school or work and reflects on the past yet looks forward to the future.

2 weeks ago | popmatters.com | Steve Horowitz

Jingle Jangle Morning (The 1960s U.S. Folk Rock Explosion) Cherry Red Most songs on the three-CD anthology of American folk rock from the 1960s (Jingle Jangle Morning) are not surprising selections. As its title suggests, the collection includes the Byrds‘ “Mr. Tambourine Man” and other well-known hits by Simon and Garfunkel, the Lovin’ Spoonful, Bob Dylan, and Buffalo Springfield. These crisply recorded tracks offer a nice nostalgia trip down memory lane.

3 weeks ago | popmatters.com | Steve Horowitz

The Grey Album Hummin’bird Records Grey DeLisle’s new double album is chock-full of empathetic songs that are equal parts silly and sincere. DeLisle has a unique voice that makes her singing seem girlish even when she’s serious. There’s something comic and odd about the effect. This ambiguity makes the lyrics’ emotional concerns seem deeper and heavier. If one can’t laugh at love’s foibles, is one really in love?

1 month ago | popmatters.com | Steve Horowitz

El Cabron Break Maiden / Thirty Tigers Pug Johnson is a funny guy. He sings and writes country-style songs with humorous titles like “Buy Me a Bayou”, “Thanks to the Cathouse (I’m in the Doghouse With You)”, and “Time Well Wasted”. He’s not using comedy to make serious points as much as to entertain. That’s good! Life is hard enough without having to constantly be reminded about death, taxes, and politics. Johnson would rather tell funny tales centered on alcohol and women.

1 month ago | iowasource.com | Steve Horowitz

When I attended my first South by Southwest (SXSW) more than 25 years ago in Austin, Texas, the Music component was the primary draw. This year, judging by the number of attendees and events, Music was the least important part. During SXSW Music’s peak in the 2010s, more than 2,000 performances took place each year, with hundreds more shows at unofficial parties. Last month, however, there were only about 1,000  musical acts and far fewer parties.