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Dark Songs of the Bloodbird
Bloodbirds are found in Australia, not Mississippi, but there's one here who sings only in the dark. Adam Harrington, who performs under the name Bloodbird Harrington, is a Jackson-based singer and songwriter who wrestles with a number of dark themes in his music.
Rockin' Guitars
I first heard the Trans-Siberian Orchestra a few years ago, when one of its songs was set to strobing Christmas lights in a beer commercial (which I thought was rather cool). TSO has made several stops in Mississippi, and I can't believe that I have never gone to see them or have any of their records.
Wilder Rolls Back In
Webb Wilder's southern blend of roots music and rock is nothing new for Jackson. The Hattiesburg native has been driving out distorted guitar licks on stages across the region and country for more than 30 years.
4 the Record
One of my favorite films of all time is "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." It has stuck with me my whole life. It entertained me as a kid, and it made even more sense in college, often at 3 a.m. while I was discussing the meaning of life with a bunch of hippies. It continues to make me laugh and remember what it was like being a child.
Get Your Free Form On
Six years ago, when W.C. Don's was still open on South State Street next door to Martin's Restaurant and Lounge, a few Jackson-area musicians got together for what they thought would be just a night of jamming with good friends. They dubbed the event Free Form, but had no setlist or any idea of what would take place—or even if anyone would show up.
Support Your Local (Mall) Record Store
At a New Year's Eve potluck, James Crow (aka Herbert Brown) told me a tale of buying records at the FYE music store at Northpark Mall. He captivated me with descriptions of full record bins loaded with new albums and re-releases of classics. He came home with A Tribe Called Quest's "Midnight Marauders," among others.
TTOCCS REKARP'S Top 10 Playlist
In no particular order, here is a list of some songs, albums and Internet radio stations that I've been listening to recently.
Phantom Limb: Profane and Holy
Water Liars recorded its debut album, "Phantom Limb" (out now on Misra Records), in three days at drummer Andrew Bryant's home in Pittsboro, Miss., while singer/guitarist Justin Kinkel-Schuster was visiting for a long weekend.
Trancefusion Jamtronica
DrFameus is a machine. DrFameus is a man who beats drums with sticks. DrFameus is a one-man jamtronica band.
Road to Revelation
When Shelby Lynne gives a concert these days, she no longer plays any songs from the early part of her career for one simple reason: She didn't write them.
Songs from a DIY Donkey
Never in a hurry and always full of character, the Ming Donkey One Man Band mixes roots-music styles with a street artist's sensibility. Ming Donkey is a persona of Starkville musician and visual artist Jayson Triplett. He performs with a "less is best" approach, accompanying his guitar playing and singing with rhythm from drums and cymbals he plays with his feet.
JXN ROX
I hope all of you have recovered from the St. Paddy's Parade weekend or are on the mend from such a glorious parade this year. With three parades in two weeks, Jackson is blessed with the opportunity to win the hearts of thousands of people who come to the city and take part in our finest traditions.
Rodeo Songs
In 2008, Chris Cagle left Nashville and the country music business. He spent the next couple of years building Big Horse Ranch in Marietta, Okla., from the ground up while starting a family.
Brawley's Blues
Mississippi Blues Marathon runners crossed the finish line to blues pumping from The Juvenators in front of the Old Capitol Museum. The local blues band, fronted by Virgil Brawley, congratulated early finishers with continuous music at the intersection of State and Capitol streets.
Diary of The Showstopper
Hip-hop artist Kimberly West came home one day in 2003, and almost as soon as she walked through the door, the phone rang. She didn't expect the bad news that came next.
PyInfamous' ‘Final Discussion'
Jackson hip-hop artist Jason "PyInfamous" Thompson, who last year won the Coors Light Search for the Coldest MC award through a nationwide vote, just released a new record March 30. "Final Discussion" is the last part of a trilogy of albums PyInfamous has recorded with Rochester, N.Y., producer Sam.I.Am.
Psychedelic Swing
A guitar riff rang out over the cheers of an energetic Hattiesburg crowd packed into Nick's Ice House on a cold night in early December. Vocalist and guitarist Will Poynor ripped his guitar cord hooked up to a nearby amp and shoved it into his mouth, teasing shocked onlookers.
Tupac Shakur: 15 Years Later
I have often written in these pages about the cool opportunities that find their way to me based on my position as a music columnist. One of the coolest things I have experienced so far is building a relationship with famed hip-hop journalist, scholar, poet and author Charlie Braxton.
Capital City Karaoke King
When Matt Collette started hosting karaoke at Martin's seven years ago, he thought it would be fun and a good part-time gig to make a little cash. In the process, he's learned a few things.
Behind The Scenes
Ryan "RedBoi" Lewis leans back in his chair, strikes a key on his computer keyboard, and a monitor flickers. Lights come on everywhere in the recording studio that is in his Jackson home. His 16-by-14-foot space is full of professional mix boards and wireless microphones. He spends about 12 hours a day in this studio, working every day.