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I couldnt put my finger on it who MJ Lenderman's phrasing and voice reminded me of. I hear some Ben Kweller and it finally hit me...WIlly Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine if youre familiar with them.

Love me some Jay Farrar and Son Volt! Thanks for sharing this! Also, I'm in the twilight of my life and have been getting up super early for so long due to my day job that I still do, even being mostly retired now. (Even on weekends). It's actually my favorite time of day, and the neighborhood is so quiet then. The only drawback is I don't play in bands anymore because I'm used to turning in early, and can't imagine having to be up late for gigs (not to mention then having to break everything down).

Two things, interesting list, and interesting topic for conversation. Given the artist that I am familiar with on the list, I will certainly look into those. I am not familiar. As for artist of this ilk, It’s hard to say what that means in the grand scheme of things. Will indie rock make a significant comeback? I think in a lot of ways it already has. But, what defines popular music is driven by the youth market. However, the artist mentioned here appeal to an older yet young demographic that has the income to purchase their music and go to their shows.

Different voices for sure, but, I hear a little bit of fellow North Carolinian Ben Folds in MJ Lenderman's delivery. Maybe it is the somewhat off kilter songwriting or just his phrasing, but that is something that I've noticed in listening to "Manning Fireworks".

I sort of dropped off the music-listening map early 2000s, so I surf around for guys like you in the know to get to speed every so often. Just finished listening to a few MJ Lenderman tracks, wow, faith in music restored. Another artist that restored my faith recently is Jesse Welles, who seemed to come out of nowhere on RUclips; he’s more a folkie but I did some looking into his background and he was in some decent rock bands a few years back. Not sure if he currently has albums.

I picked up the album today after wearing out the singles, and I really love it. I think he really is this decade's Kurt Vile, guitar prodigy who writes his songs like short stories. I feel like the torch has been past from the Phoebe Bridgers, Angel Olsen, Haim and (fittingly) Waxahatchee era to the new blood: Wednesday, Lenderman, and Jeff Rosenstock - to name a few. Also - am I crazy - or is Live and Loose an instant classic live album?

Thanks for the memories. I was deep into the alt-country scene in the 90s, read every issue of No Depression magazine, and Trace remains in my top 5 albums of all time. Saw SV live circa ‘99, amazing show, loud! To your point about Jay not getting his dues. I was at a Richard Buckner show in my town (maybe around year 2000), Eric Heywood was playing with him for that tour. Small club. Had a chance to sit with Eric during a break and asked him lots about Son Volt (for those not aware, Eric played pedal steel on those early SV records and tours). In brief, Eric’s experience with Jay was great, but frustrating. He said SV was on the brink of massive success but Jay had a real fear of success and was prone to self-sabotage. Highly creative people tend to be highly sensitive, often introverted to a point that it debilitates their ability to fully realize ‘success’ - which of course is a word very open to interpretation. Jay has had a pretty damn successful run, and still running, but he’s always preferred flying under the radar to a degree. I agree that his music will have a Nick Drake-like influence far into the future.

I had never heard of MJ Lenderman. But after your video I listened to his latest album. What a fantastic album. Greetings from The Netherlands

MJ Lederman also reminds me of Anders Parker/Varnaline

Just want to say that I wholeheartedly agree: I feel very blessed to be around for this moment in music. For me, the center of this whole scene is Waxahatchee; her new record feels, quite simply, revelatory, to me. And to have MJ on backing vocals and Spencer Tweedy on drums... Wow. It blows me away.

I saw Wednesday last year here in Dublin. The opening band didn't show up so at the last minute MJ and the other guys in the band knocked out an opening set. It was brilliant! That gig was one of my favourites last year.

Not at all. Pop/rock music is at an all-time low. You need to listen to more music from the 60s/70s to realize how bad things are. Jason Isball was much better when he was drinking.

Just checked out some MJ Lenderman based on this video and it's great. Very Jason Molina adjacent.

Do you dock your houseboat at the himbo dome? Lenderman is so great. I’d add J Mascis to the list of influences. Listen to Lenderman’s Live and Loose album and you will hear some Dinosaur Jr hidden in there.

Add Pony Bradshaw to you list…great comment by @TheDigitalGramophone

Some of my current instant buy artists/bands: Courtney Marie Andrews, The Delines, Heartless Bastards, Wussy(just announced a new album today and pre-ordered!), S.G. Goodman and La Luz(best album of 2024 so far.) and of course Son Volt and Wilco. Under the radar great 2024 release, Mac Cornish "Never Made Much Of A Lover.

Hey Chris, hope you are doing well. Wow, MJ Lenderman?!? Thought I was the only person who ever heard of him! I live in Greensboro, NC, and he is making quite a name for himself around these parts. I plan on seeing one of his shows in late January when he plays one of my favorite venues in Chapel Hill/Carborro, NC, called Cats Cradle. Come to NC and I'll buy you a ticket! I usually go to shows by myself. At 65, I know I will be the oldest in the audience by 40-45 years. But, with music, and I think music only, age does not make a difference. Take care, John

I think that by showing records that are 8 and 9 years old you’re kind of proving this is not a recent thing. I think your excitement might be born out of the fact that many of these artists (Big Thief, Waxahatchee, MJL) have a sound that owes so much to the 1990s. It’s why I love them too. I was saying to someone the other day, that for these artists it’s like the 1990s influence them the way the 1970s influenced the 1990s alternative/indie scene. North Carolina, specifically, has had a very roots/alt-country infused music scene for the last decade (even a little longer). Megafaun and the Cook brothers, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mount Moriah and HC McEntire… now MJ Lenderman, Wednesday and Fust. That scene is a very real thing.

Agree so much about those first three Son Volt records. Wide Swing Tremolo… 🔥

I am a huge fan of Jay Farrar - great video. Also I know you are an advocate for mental health issues - please seek out the DG Mono podcast - he has a solid podcast series on the intersection of the VC/record collecting and mental health - he is on Spotify I belive

I just named a painting I put up for sale on my website “Windfall” today then I saw this posted. Thanks for sharing. Two feet on the floor both hands on the wheel….

Just for fun, my ranking of his studio albums: Uncle Tupelo - No Depression 8.5/10 Uncle Tupelo - Still Feel Gone 9/10 Uncle Tupelo - March 16-20 1992 9/10 Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne 9.5/10 Son Volt - Trace 10/10 Son Volt - Straightaways 10/10 Son Volt - Wide Swing Tremolo 8.5/10 Jay Farrar - Sebastopol 9.5/10 Jay Farrar - ThirdShiftGrottoSlack 7/10 The Slaughter Rule Soundtrack 8/10 Jay Farrar - Terroir Blues 7.5/10 Son Volt - Okemah and the Melody of Riot 8.5/10 Gob Iron - Death Songs for the Living 6/10 Son Volt - The Search/On Chant and Strum 8.5/10 Son Volt - American Central Dust 7.5/10 Farrar/Gibbard - One Fast Move or I'm Gone 7/10 Farrar, Johnson, Parker and James - New Multitudes(deluxe) 7/10 Son Volt - Honky Tonk 5/10 Son Volt - Notes of Blue 8/10 Son Volt - Union 4/10 Son Volt - Electro Melodier 8/10 Son Volt - Day of the Doug 6/10

Great to see a vinyl copy of Blue Earth by The Jayhawks, never seen one of those in England !

Chis…love your videos - thank you! You mentioned that Wide Swing Tremelo was a good road trip album…how about an episode on your favorite road trip albums…keep them coming…@

I named my hound dog Trace.

Had Electro Melodier on yesterday, great artist!

Listened to Trace a couple of days ago. Fabulous album! So yes, thanks Jay Farrar! Chris, it is great you have these happy memories!

I'd have to disagree you with on Paging Mr. Proust. I feel this album is amazing ❤❤

So true...... My favorite band as soon as I heard 'Blue'. The back ground music of my life.. cheesy, but true 💖

Thought for sure you were gonna get to Gram & Emmylou

Duos; David and Gillian Low Alan and Mimi Love Freedy too. Of course uncle Tupelo and Wilco. Thanks for your thoughts Peace Tony

Love that Steely Dan album.

I was so ready to be pissed off when I saw Wilco and not Uncle Tupelo...and then you totally redeemed yourself. For me it's Kim and Kelley Deal. Those voices when they harmonize. ruclips.net/video/1-5nhqXmnks/видео.html

Maybe not an officially recorded duo, but I recently found on RUclips 'All Flowers in Time Bend Towards the Sun', a duet by Jeff Buckley and Elizabeth Fraser. The song floored me, stunning and beautiful and heartbreaking. Thanks, Stuart

Thank you for turning me on to Uncle Tupelo. I just picked up No Depression on CD. Wow, I had no idea what I was missing. So good.

Buying records - Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in.

To me me they mesh Poco/Hollies sound to perfection.

Get Fleetwood Mac in Chicago 1969 and Then Play On. Those early Macs are more blue oriented, but better than the pop stuff, imo. All the Roadrunning by Knopfler & Emmylou Harris is good too.

Nice selection there. If you haven't already seen them, the Nick Cave documentaries are a,ways worth watching. 'Once More With Feeling', in the making of 'Skeleton Tree' (made in the aftermath of Arthur, Nick's son's death) is particularly moving.

Sorry about the loss of your brother. Amazing collection, I got Macca’s One Hand Clapping with the 7”. It’s good to hear alt versions.

JTE is missed.

Chris: you and I have incredibly similar life experiences. Musically, this is exactly the record I would list as my "just one record" pick. In fact, I tell my wife all the time... "bury me with Still Feel Gone" - So, a couple/few comments... First, I was in college from 89 - 93. We were scared as hell about Desert Storm and the thoughts about war. Second, (I came from a factory town in Pennsylvania) the ideas around a working class towns who's day is past, and now I can't figure out how to get out... that theme is all over this record. Third, my older brother passed away... 50 years in this town, earned his name and place on a barstool. Spot on. But finally, everything a young man thought about in that era... I wanted to go to business school, but my friends still going to deer camp after thanksgiving. Hanging in my local dive the night before thanksgiving, drinking Yuengling Lagers... It was a magical, scary, angry time... this record captured all of it. It's like it's almost woven into my DNA. For me, (I was late teens/early twenties when I first hear it) this record simply encapsulated everything about my life... viewed through my lens... and I was afraid, and pissed off.. and longing... and maybe, a little heart broken and in love...

Still Feel Gone is the second record I ever bought (on recommendation from my father). I love this record. I'm 42 and I'm still paying my rent with my guitars. Thanks to this record. Also, Paramus dude here, who has been living near "that town" in Illinois for a decade now. Anyway, I'll shut up

Wilco did nothing for me. I just cannot understand the appeal of Wilco.

The first three Son Volt albums with Farrar, Heidorn, and the Boquist brothers were all masterpieces from start to finish.

The sound production on "Still Feel Gone" always bothered me. It detracted me from fully appreciating that album unfortunately..

When Son Volt's "Trace" and Whiskeytown's "Faithless Streets" both came out in 1995 my life was altered forever.

Whiskeytown and Blue Mountain! Don't forget them.

Their music changed my life as well. Opened up an entire appreciation of country music that I had never had before. Still play their albums all the time. After UT I could never get into Wilco, but Son Volt is nearly as important to me as UT was before.

Son volt trace....changed my life, we share similar paths........also "inside Llewyn Davis" movie photo.