All in the Sabar Family: Aba Diop Recasts a Tradition for New Ears
Aba Diop – Family (2025) Family is a courageous step forward for Senegalese percussionist Aba Diop, who repositions the wonderful sabar drum set at the… Diop, a griot from Dakar, assembled a group that brings together generations and continents. The lineup features tama (talking drum) player Samba Ndokh, kora virtuoso Noumoucounda Cissoko, bassist Thierno Sarr, […]
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern Retirement Ends an Era. Let’s Hope It Starts a New One
Sarah Trahern’s tenure at the CMA wasn’t really marked with any especially remarkable achievements or catastrophic mistakes. She wasn’t really vilified by purists or lauded by the industry. It’s so much more complicated than this… and that “bulk induction” is part of why Waylon Jennings opted not to attend. He didn’t want to be part […]
No New “FairWell Fest” for 2026
Major independent country mega festival FairWell Fest in Redmond, Oregon will not be returning in 2026. There’s also good indication that it will not be returning at all after first being held in 2023. But along with putting pressure on Oregon’s established festivals, FairWell Fest was commonly a logistical nightmare. The first year for Zach […]
Bassist Jon von Boehm Says “Not Today” With A Five-Minute Jam Starter
Jon von Boehm has released “Not Today,” the first single from his upcoming fourth album, Reflections, due in March 2026. The five-minute instrumental features musicians… The five-minute instrumental features musicians von Boehm connected with through his session work, including drummers Marcus Finnie, Cory Ponder, Kyle Edmonston, and Michael Green, plus guitarists Jake Patterson, Cole Clark, […]
Valley Sessions Offers Affordable Videos to Artists and Events
“We’re investing in the musicians to keep sharing their music, to keep sharing their poetry for the people they play for, and then those people are going to look them up, and then those people are going to find others, and our work.” These days, having professional performance videos are an essential tool in a […]
Pefkin – Unfurling
Pefkin (Gayle Brogan) understands the fluidity and adaptability of ambient music better than most. Unfurling ranks among her most beautiful work, showcasing an exceptional understanding of timing, contrast, and texture. Its many drifts and folds are expertly curated, balanced perfectly between atavism and modernity. Though the component pieces are minimal, they are layered so subtly […]
Digbeth’s Sonic Resistance: Supersonic Festival Announce Limited Edition Event for April 2026
Supersonic Festival returns to Digbeth on April 25–26, 2026, for a special limited edition. The lineup features the premiere of Microplastics (aya, 96 back, Jennifer Walton), alongside the “Lynchian” doom-folk of ØXN, Traidora, a queer four-piece led by Eva Leblanc, the plunderphonics of Milkweed and more. This “creative hub” continues its resistance against gentrification, prioritising […]
Sonic Nocturne
Their membership spans a few countries and their sound is real time-tested lover’s rock reggae with a heavy dash of roots. Sonic Alley’s “Rock the… Source: worldmusiccentral.org
Folk Stars And Changemakers Lead 2026 International Folk Music Awards
The International Folk Music Awards for the 2025 cycle were presented on January 21, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana, during the Folk Alliance International Conference.… Artist Of The Year resulted in a tie, with Carsie Blanton and trio I’m With Her sharing the honor. Crys Matthews took Song Of The Year for “Sleeves Up,” which […]
Penny Arcade Announces ‘Double Exposure’ with Minimalist New Single/Video ‘Rear View Mirror’
Following his 2024 debut, Backwater Collage, James Hoare (Ultimate Painting, Veronica Falls) returns as Penny Arcade. Watch the video for “Rear View Mirror”, the lead single from his forthcoming album ‘Double Exposure,’ which arrives on April 17th via Tapete Records. Described as a hallucinogenic journey through English psychedelia and lo-fi experimentation, the album prioritises immediacy […]