Middle Kids drummer Harry Day cites Damon Albarn as one of his "favorite musicans in life" and chose his "Five Essential Damon Albarn Songs."
Middle Kids' Harry Day, Hannah Joy, and Tim Fitz (photo courtesy of Domino Records, PR)
Natalie Merchant's second solo album, Ophelia, turns 20 years old on Saturday, May 19. While Merchant isn't doing anything special to mark the occasion, FUV will celebrate that gorgeous album with selected tracks that day, at 8 a.m. and noon (streaming online).
Natalie Merchant and the cover of Ophelia.
Matthew Sweet released his latest album, Tomorrow's Daughter, on May 18, 2018 — and he still loves the Beach Boys.
Matthew Sweet (photo by Evan Carter, PR)
As a songwriter, Okkervil River's Will Sheff says that he's spent "countless hours" trying to figure out what makes Elton John’s songs work so well. Read Sheff's wonderful assessment of "Five Essential Elton John Songs."
Will Sheff of Okkervil River (photo by Shervin Lainez, PR)
With Ani DiFranco is playing a sold-out show at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 10, 2018, it's a good time to revisit Ben Jaffe of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's reflection on his good friend and collaborator.
Ben Jaffe, center on double bass, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (photo by Danny Clinch, PR)
Middle Kids drummer Harry Day cites Damon Albarn as one of his "favorite musicans in life" and chose his "Five Essential Damon Albarn Songs."
Middle Kids' Harry Day, Hannah Joy, and Tim Fitz (photo courtesy of Domino Records, PR)
JD McPherson is a massive fan of the "Trigger Master," so when we asked him if he wanted to come up with his "Five Essential Willie Nelson Songs" for FUV Essentials, he agreed. McPherson joins Willie Nelson's upcoming Outlaw Music Festival on June 23 in Noblesville, Indiana.
JD McPherson (photo by Alysse Gafkjen, PR)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra released its fourth album this year, Sex & Food, a record that found singer, songwriter and guitarist Ruban Nielson traveling the globe. And yes, a jazzy hint of Nielson's beloved Steely Dan gently ripples through new tracks like "Everyone Acts Crazy Nowadays" and the tender "Hunnybee."
Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson (photo by Neil Krug, PR)
Joe Henry happens to also be an enthusiastic admirer of this week's FUV Essentials artist, John Prine. When FUV asked Henry if he might like to choose "Five Essential John Prine Songs," he not only agreed, but wrote a loving and long assessment of the man and his music:
Joe Henry (photo by Glen Hansard, PR)
In May of 2017, Shovels & Rope, the husband-and-wife duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent, wrote about Brandi Carlile's work and that of Phil and Tim Hanseroth, her songwriting partners.
Shovels and Rope's Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst (photo by Curtis Wayne Millard, PR)
