Why the Outlaw Era Still Owns Nashville
Fifty years on from Wanted! The Outlaws, the argument it started — who controls the sound — has never really ended.
Longer reads
Stories
Essays, guides and reporting from people who actually listen to the records all the way through.
A Beginner's Path Into Bluegrass
Ten records, in order, that take you from curious to converted without ever feeling like homework.
The Pedal Steel Is Having a Moment
Indie, pop and hip-hop producers are all chasing that cry. Steel players have thoughts.
How to Read a Festival Lineup Poster
Font size is a contract. Here's what the tiers actually tell you about who you'll see.
Dance Hall Etiquette, Explained
Counter-clockwise, fast lane outside, and never stop in the middle of the floor.
In Defense of the Three-Chord Song
Simplicity isn't laziness. It's the hardest discipline in American songwriting.
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