Songwriters Cass McCombs and Steve Gunn have collaborated on a new single. They present a lilting, laid-back take on Michael Hurley’s psychedelic folk classic Sweet Lucy as well as a beautiful rendition of traditional Scottish tune Wild Mountain Thyme. This two-song single is also available as a 7” via Bandcamp, with all profits being donated to the NAACP legal defense fund as well as … Continue reading Cass McCombs & Steve Gunn Collaboration
Reprinted in full: ATO Records, an independent record label out of New York City, has been reflecting deeply on the injustices and inequality in our world. We recognize that music is not just an agent for change, but a space of solace. As we approach our 20th anniversary as a label, we remain proud to represent a diverse range of artists whose music imparts messages … Continue reading ATO Records – Silence Is Not An Option Compilation
Dark Town is the second release from Brisbane alt-country outfit, Suicide Country Hour. The new album expands on the introspective feeling of the sextet’s 2017 self titled debut with an even darker, more heartbroken collection of songs which speak to the bitterness and sadness in us all. Who can argue with something so bleak in these current times? Check out a couple of tracks from … Continue reading Suicide Country Hour – Dark Town
The Dead Tongues, the moniker of North Carolina based songwriter Ryan Gustafson, has released a new single off of his upcoming album, Transmigration Blues (out on the 26th June). Deja Vu, which features backup vocals from MM faves Mountain Man, is Gustafson’s light in the darkness song, a wistful track that serves as both a lamentation and a way forward, which culminates in the joyous, … Continue reading New Video: The Dead Tongues – Deja Vu
Blitzen Trapper open their arms and embrace the world of psychedelic, cosmic Americana with new single Masonic Temple Microdose #1, a jaunty, twangy country bop that belies its lyrical message of American apathy and nihilism. Watch the video, and pre-order new album Holy Smokes Future Jokes from Bandcamp here. Continue reading Blitzen Trapper – Masonic Temple Microdose #1
Steve Earle has released a brand new song, Times Like These (Acoustic Version) on the heels of his recently released, and excellent, Ghosts of West Virginia album. Times Like These was originally written at the beginning of the Trump Presidency with Earle intending it for his next studio album. He was then approached by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, a playwright team who would create Coal … Continue reading Steve Earle – Times Like These
From the ashes of the Ohio rock band Buffalo Killers (who featured many times on MM), singers/songwriters/siblings Zachary and Andy Gabbard have re-emerged as The Gabbard Brothers. And while there are still similarities to their previous band, with nods to greats like Neil Young, James Gang and Buffalo Springfield, there’s a hazier, organic, earthy-psych vibe running through the brothers’ new music. Ease into your day with … Continue reading Mad Mackerel Recommends… The Gabbard Brothers
Sister duo Larkin Poe have shared their new single, Back Down South, which also features fellow Nashville rocker Tyler Bryant. It is the latest track to be taken from their forthcoming album, Self Made Man, and is a swampy, bluesy country rocker. Stream it here. Continue reading Larkin Poe – Back Down South
New Orleans Guts Club were planning a new album this summer, but there was a global pandemic. So, for now they’re releasing a cover of the Sopranos theme song. It is pretty fucked up, but we like it. Enjoy the weekend. Continue reading Guts Club – Song For Carm
Whitney are back with a loving tribute to songs that have been formative and lasting to the entire band, in new singles Take Me Home, Country Roads and SWV’s 90s R&B track Rain, out on 28th May via Secretly Canadian. The songs are the band’s first output since the release of their excellent second album, last year’s Forever Turned Around. Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee joins … Continue reading Whitney share John Denver and SWV cover versions
The Mad Mackerel 