Music Writing
Interviews
Lake Street Dive Revisits the Past
Lake Street Dive return to San Diego for a set of concerts following the release of a new EP of covers.
Published by San Diego Magazine on October 3, 2022.
Country singer Mickey Guyton made history in September as the first Black woman to perform her own music at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Published by Newsweek on October 21, 2020.
Richie Kotzen: 50 for 50 Interview
Richie Kotzen discusses his most ambitious project to date: a 50-track album featuring all-new material released in celebration of his 50th birthday.
Published by Blues Rock Review on February 25, 2020.
Albert Cummins discusses how his latest collaboration with producer Jim Gaines influenced the mixture of original songs and covers chosen for his new album Believe.
Published by Blues Rock Review on February 10, 2020.
Karen & the Sorrows: Building a New Country
Dubbed the "queer country trailblazer," Karen Pittelman is carving out a safe space for country musicians who feel ostracized from the genre that drives their work.
Published by Rock and Roll Globe on December 17, 2019.
Neal Preston: An Exhilarating Eye
Neal Preston reflects on a lifetime behind the lens.
Published by Rock and Roll Globe on November 25, 2019.
Lead singer Tre' Nation of Ghost Hounds discusses the band's new album Roses are Black.
Published by Blues Rock Review on November 7, 2019.
The Jorgensens: What's Old is New Again
Cutting through the torrents of music coming from everywhere in 2019, it’s an accomplishment for this married duo to make something that sounds so unique with The Lexington Stretch.
Published by Rock and Roll Globe on September 25, 2019.
Otis Taylor on why he continues returning to the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and his theory that the greatest blues musician alive hasn't yet been born.
Published by Blues Rock Review on September 10, 2019.
Tyler Bryant discusses the new album Truth and Lies by Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, out June 28, 2019, on Snakefarm Records.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 26, 2019.
The internationally-renowned blues musician discusses his latest album Oklahoma, set for release on June 14, 2019.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 7, 2019.
Walter Trout: Survival Blues Interview
Walter Trout discusses his latest solo project Survivor Blues, an album that brings oft-forgotten blues songs back into the spotlight.
Published by Blues Rock Review on January 21, 2019.
Vintage Trouble Interview: Nalle Colt
Vintage Trouble guitarist Nalle Colt discusses the reasons behind the band's decision to release two versions of its new EP Chapter II.
Published by Blues Rock Review on November 9, 2018.
Doyle Bramhall II discusses his latest album Shades and explains what he looks for in a musical collaborator.
Published by Blues Rock Review on October 15, 2018.
Rock and roll legend Billy Gibbons discusses his second solo album The Big Bad Blues, released in September 2018 on Concord Records.
Published by Rock and Roll Globe on October 3, 2018.
The Record Company Interview: Chris Vos
The Record Company's lead singer Chris Vos speaks with Blues Rock Review about his band's latest studio album, All of This Life.
Published by Blues Rock Review on September 6, 2018.
Mystic Braves' lead singer and guitarist discusses the band's latest album The Great Unknown and speculates about why nostalgia holds such an important place in popular music.
Published by Rock and Roll Globe on August 27, 2018.
Musician Carly Pearce on Making Time to Run While Touring
CMT Music Awards winner Carly Pearce explains how she makes time for running while staying on top of a busy touring schedule.
Published by Women's Running on June 29, 2018.
How a Torn ACL Inspired Matt and Kim’s New Album
Kim Schifino of the indie electronic duo Matt and Kim shares how recovering from a torn ACL inspired her life as a runner and musician.
Published by Women's Running on June 5, 2018.
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Tyler Bryant discusses his band's highly anticipated sophomore album, Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown, out November 3, 2017 on Snakefarm Records.
Published by Blues Rock Review on October 31, 2017.
The Stone Foxes: Shannon Koehler Interview
Fresh off the release of The Stone Foxes' EP Visalia, lead singer and drummer Shannon Koehler explains why the EP is his band's Exile on Main St.
Published by Blues Rock Review on September 29, 2017.
Walter Trout: We're All in This Together Interview
Walter Trout checks in with Blues Rock Review about his 2017 collaboration-heavy album We're All in This Together.
Published by Blues Rock Review on August 22, 2017.
The "King of Slydeco" discusses his 2017 album Live in Lafayette, recorded live in his hometown and released on June 30, 2017.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 27, 2017.
Rival Sons Interview: Michael Miley
Drummer Michael Miley spoke with Blues Rock Review over the phone on a rare evening off in New Orleans to explain the unique festival tour’s artsy offerings and to hint at the band’s plans for album number six.
Published by Blues Rock Review on May 5, 2017.
Guitarist on the rise Michael Lemmo discusses his position on genre definition and the role of pop stars in American culture just hours before the release party for his 2017 album Outta Line.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 24, 2017.
Days before the release of Little Hurricane's 2017 album Same Sun Same Moon, Anthony "Tone" Catalano checks in to discuss the band’s near-annual success at the San Diego Music Awards, the amusing anecdote behind early fan favorite “Bad Business” and how best to approach the new material.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 17, 2017.
Punk Rock's Enduring Battle for Women's Rights
Los Angeles punk legend Alice Bag is ready to fight in the Trump era. She's seen this before.
Published by Noisey on March 2, 2017.
Dick Boak is the Soul of Martin Guitars
Dick Boak was offered a job as a guitar craftsman at C.F. Martin and Company after sifting through the spare wood in the company's dumpster in 1976. Forty years later, Boak reflects on his continued work with Martin and the experiences he's had building guitars for musicians like Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and John Mayer.
Published by Noisey on December 23, 2016.
How the San Francisco indie quintet Should We Run found its sound.
Published by San Francisco Weekly on November 16, 2016.
After reaching a tour stop in Annapolis Md., earlier this week, Johnson spoke with Blues Rock Review about the craving he felt to record simply, his childhood love of Simon and Garfunkel and the possibility of releasing a second volume of acoustic work.
Published by Blues Rock Review on October 14, 2016.
The Temperance Movement: Damon Wilson Interview
Calling in from a children’s park in London where his son was playing after school, Wilson spoke with Blues Rock Review about White Bear – what the title means, the importance of touring in the U.S. and the pros and cons of assigning labels.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 11, 2016.
The Rides Interview: Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg
Nearly two months after Pierced Arrow’s release, Shepherd and Goldberg spoke with Blues Rock Review during back-to-back interviews about keeping egos out of the mix and the rarity of finding musical “soul brothers.”
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 5, 2016.
Rival Sons: Jay Buchanan Interview
Two weeks after Rival Sons began opening for Black Sabbath on their The End tour, singer Jay Buchanan called Blues Rock Review from the road to describe what it’s like to open for rock giants on a global scale.
Published by Blues Rock Review on February 9, 2016.
Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown Reclaim Rock
One night with rock 'n' roll's runaway freight train.
Published by Elmore Magazine on November 16, 2015.
The Delta Saints Move Away from their Blues Roots
Nashville's swampy rockers discuss their forthcoming album Bones and the tricks they use to keep the creativity flowing after eight years of touring and recording.
Published by San Diego CityBeat on July 29, 2015.
Sonny Landreth: Bound by the Blues Interview
A week before the release of Bound by the Blues, Sonny Landreth spoke with Blues Rock Review about paying tribute to his heroes, the importance of Simcoe Street and the hip-shaking Ed Sullivan Show guest who first inspired him to pick up a six-string.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 9, 2015.
Beau James: A Modern Troubadour on the "Indigo Road"
Most musicians dream of the day fans know them by name. Beau James is different: he wants to know your name.
Published by PopMatters on May 21, 2015.
Missy Andersen Finds Her Voice
Blues Music Award nominee Missy Andersen talks about finding her voice through the blues in Blues Rock Review's exclusive interview.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 29, 2015.
Taking Off: An Interview with Catfish and the Bottlemen
After eight years on the road, these Welsh indie rockers are conquering the music world one show at a time.
Published by PopMatters on March 15, 2015.
Three weeks before the slotted September 2 release of The Essential Richie Kotzen, a collection chock-full of career highlights in addition to two exclusive new tracks, Richie Kotzen explains the selection process for the record and what else he has planned for the coming months.
Published by Blues Rock Review on August 20, 2014.
Two months after receiving a new liver, Trout checks in over the phone from a physical rehabilitation facility in Omaha, Neb., to share insight on his latest record and provide updates on his ongoing recovery.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 31, 2014.
Interview with Scott Holiday of Rival Sons
On the first day of Rival Sons’ New York City tour leg in late June, Blues Rock Review checked in with guitarist Scott Holiday to discuss the band’s musical progression on Great Western Valkyrie and their hopes for the future.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 10, 2014.
Interview: Eric Gales of Pinnick Gales Pridgen
Identified as a guitar prodigy at the young age of 16 in 1991, Eric Gales has since put together several projects that showcased his raw talent well. With his latest group Pinnick Gales Pridgen, Gales & co. present hard-driving songs that leave no question about the skill and determination of the group as a whole. Three weeks before the release of the super trio's second album PGP2, Gales calls in from his home in North Carolina to discuss the recording process and his hopes for the group's future.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 25, 2014.
California Breed: Glenn Hughes Interview
Rock titan Glenn Hughes (formerly of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and Black Country Communion, to name a few) recently teamed up with Jason Bonham and newcomer Andrew Watt to form the new super trio California Breed. A week before the album dropped, Glenn spoke with me about the inspiration behind his latest work.
Published by Blues Rock Review on May 14, 2014.
Former MC5 frontman and current film scoring extraordinaire, Wayne Kramer discusses his approach to writing music then and now.
Published by Blues Rock Review on March 19, 2014.
Germany's fresh songwriting talent Florian Hofer describes the making of his debut solo album Reaching.
Published by Blues Rock Review on March 10, 2014.
The Winery Dogs: Richie Kotzen Interview
The Winery Dogs' Richie Kotzen discusses the rock world's latest supergroup.
Published by Blues Rock Review on November 26, 2013.
Which of rock 'n roll's deceased stars would Philip Morgan Lewis most like to jam onstage with? I recently traded emails with the budding blues artist from London to learn his answer and to get details on the making of his recent EP Karma Comedown.
Published by Blues Rock Review on October 8, 2013.
2013 has been good to the 1975: they have released waves of new material, toured extensively and garnered positive critical recognition for their leading pop anthems "Sex" and "Chocolate." An hour before taking the stage at the Casbah in San Diego, I spoke with lead singer Matthew Healy about the band's transition from ambitious Manchester musicians to international stars on the rise.
Published by High Voltage Magazine on July 27, 2013.
The Blues Foundation is striving to raise money for a Blues Hall of Fame museum, and Earl Thomas is here to help. A few days before the San Diego edition of his Raise the Roof concert series, I spoke with Earl about his collaborations with the Foundation and his own musical journey.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 15, 2013.
Hunter & The Dirty Jacks Interview
In an interview with the Los Angeles-based blues rock group Hunter & the Dirty Jacks, I speak with the band about their desire to improve the world around them and the ways in which they are working with charities like Service Your Soul and the Magic Music Foundation to make a difference.
Published by Blues Rock Review on July 11, 2013.
During a morning drive with his band through Tennessee, Leogun's Tommy Smith spoke with me over the phone to answer a few questions about stage fright, Elvis Presley and the inevitability of a rock revival.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 24, 2013.
Following the release of her highly-anticipated 2013 album Can You Stand the Heat, Blues Music Awards nominee Ana Popovic spoke with me over the phone to discuss the inspiration behind the album, working with Lucky Peterson and Tommy Sims and how she has changed as an artist since the launch of her solo career in 2000.
Published by Blues Rock Review on June 6, 2013.
When The Crossroads Meets The Sunset Strip: The Heavy Heavy Hearts Interview
New to the blues rock scene, the Heavy Heavy Hearts write and play like they've been together for years. Minutes before jumping onstage at the Ruby Room in San Diego, California, the Heavy Heavy Hearts sat down for an exclusive Blues Rock Review interview to describe what life has been like since the release of their debut EP in late 2012 and what they hope to achieve in the coming year.
Published by Blues Rock Review on April 25, 2013.
Shortly before the release of their debut album Dreaming Free, I spoke with Chris and Rebekah Bartels of Bora York to ask about the genesis of their band and their reactions to the overwhelmingly positive critical response their music has received thus far.
Published by Interview Magazine on March 20, 2013.
Talking Turquoise: Devon Allman Interview
Shortly after the release of his first solo album Turquoise, I spoke with Devon Allman and learned about the making of the record, his continued work with Royal Southern Brotherhood and his love of art museums.
Published by Blues Rock Review on February 19, 2013.
The genre-dodging San Diego, California band the Howls are featured on Unsigned | Unrest, a compilation disc created by Broken Heart Records that includes songs by 17 unsigned bands to generate funds benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A few days before the official release of Unsigned | Unrest, I spoke with the Howls' lead singer John Cooper to discuss the album and what the band has up their sleeves for 2013.
Published by Interview Magazine on February 11, 2013.
The Tilt Interview: Jesse Malley and Jeff Irwin
The Tilt's Jesse Malley and Jeff Irwin discuss musical influences, performing for packed venues and the Kickstarter campaign that started it all.
Published by Blues Rock Review on January 30, 2013.
San Diego Music Award winners Dead Feather Moon gave me a few minutes of their time at their Vista, California practice space to answer questions about the new material they're working on and their upcoming "end of the world" concert at the Belly Up Tavern on December 21.
Published on the Belly Up Tavern music blog on December 21, 2012.
Fourteen months after becoming the first unsigned band to grace the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, the Sheepdogs traveled to San Diego, California to perform a set at the Casbah. A couple hours before the show, I sat down with lead singer Ewan Currie to hear his take on the band's sudden rise to fame.
Published by 1146miles.com on October 29, 2012.
The Musical Vision of Impossible Bird
The Seattle-based acoustic duo Impossible Bird spoke with me in an exclusive phone interview to discuss their unique outdoor concerts, the recording process for their debut EP and the queries they always get from journalists about the Stroh violin.
Published by 1146miles.com on October 15, 2012.
Kickin' It at the Viper Room – The Tyler Bryant Interview
The emerging guitar prodigy Tyler Bryant took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his musical background and the upcoming release of his band's debut album Wild Child. Later that night, I watched the band of four take the stage at Los Angeles' iconic Viper Room and play as if their lives depended on it.
Published by 1146miles.com on October 1, 2012.
Elles Bailey Pushes Out of Her Comfort Zone on 'Beneath the Neon Glow'
Elles Bailey discusses her new approach to songwriting ahead of the release of her fourth studio album.
Published by Blues Rock Review on August 7, 2024.
Sue Foley Interview: Celebrating Blues' Long History of Female Guitar Players
Sue Foley discusses her first all-acoustic album One Guitar Woman.
Published by Blues Rock Review on March 21, 2024.
Joanne Shaw Taylor Teases New Album, Reveals Songwriting Process
Joanne Shaw Taylor gives a behind-the-scenes look at her songwriting process ahead of her next album release.
Published by Blues Rock Review on January 15, 2024.
Sari Schorr Interview: Embracing Gratitude After Album With Robin Trower Tops Blues Chart
Sari Schorr is feeling grateful after her collaboration with Robin Trower topped the Billboard Blues Chart.
Published by Blues Rock Review on December 13, 2023.
Deap Vally Interview: Hitting the Road One Last Time
Deap Vally kick off their farewell tour in San Diego, California, and discuss why they are stepping away.
Published by Blues Rock Review on November 15, 2023.