Festival Preview | Twangfest 17 kicks into full gear tonight at Blueberry Hill

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Twangfest 17 kicked things off at Plush last night with a headlining show by Todd Snider, who brought along the great Amanda Shires. The momentum will keep churning tonight at Blueberry Hill with Joe Pug, whose 2012 album, The Great Despiser, was brilliant, and Motel Mirrors, which features Amy LaVere, whose last album, Stranger Me, was also brilliant. Capping off the evening will be Akron, Ohio's Shivering Timbers and St. Louis' Scarlet Tanager. Lots of brilliance going on here.

The rest of the weekend is also impressive with Asleep at the Wheel, Marshall Crenshaw, The Bottle Rockets, and much more. Friday and Saturday at Blueberry Hill are sold out, but there are still tickets available for tonight, so get on that, St. Louis.

And as Joe Pug once said: "As long as you're not finished, you can start all over again."

Amy LaVere (The Interview)

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Last August, Amy LaVere took part in our 10 to Spin series. Her theme? The road. Well, "Planes, Trains, and Automoblies," to be exact. And guess what? LaVere's on the road again, back in Saint Louis tomorrow night at the Old Rock House, opening for Rich Robinson (8 PM).

We're big fans of LaVere's 2011 release, Stranger Me, especially the track "You Can't Keep Me." It's sort of one of those "I never wanna see you again" tunes. Hits the spot, as usual.

We recently caught up with LaVere over email.

You released Stranger Me last year. Looking back, what were the challenges of recording that album?

The recording was actually the easy, fun part. It was all the mess of getting the right people in the studio.

What were some of the highlights of touring last year? Any stories you would like to share? 

I love touring. Adventure is what gets me up in the morning. When I think back on the year I just see a big white light of adventure. Or it could be that I've just woke up and the sun is blinding me in this room.

When you're writing and recording a song, at what point do you know it's finished?

They are  never finished. I am constantly changing them. Roughening or rounding their edges to keep them interesting to me.

You've played St. Louis a few times over the years. Do you have any memories that stand out?

I've left something in the greenroom every time I play there for some reason.  So at the moment I have jacket in St. Louis that I can't get out of mind.

10 to Spin | Amy LaVere

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Who doesn't love a good breakup album? Amy LaVere's new offering, Stranger Me, is one of 2011's best of that kind, and she'll be performing these "see ya later" songs at Off Broadway Friday night (listen to the album at NPR here). The singer, songwriter, upright bass player, and actress (whew!) is quite the performer, and her new batch of songs is her first since 2007's Anchors and Anvils. $10 gets you in the door.

We're thrilled that LaVere recently took part in our 10 to Spin series, and here is her playlist in all its glory. Enjoy.

With all the travel we've been doing in the last few months I chose the theme of transportation. "Planes, Trains, and Automoblies." Pretty happy with this playlist. So much that I want a mix tape of it myself. --Amy LaVere

1. Lyle Lovett - If I Had a Boat


2. Replacements - Skyway


3. Box Tops - The Letter


4. Johnny Cash - Rock Island Line


5. Pixies - Motorway to Roswell


6. Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning


7. Rocket 88


8. Gerry Marsden - Ferry 'Cross The Mersey


9. Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding


10. Cake - Stick Shifts and Safety Belts