Music Blurbs, Vol. 11

Mogwai
Pioneering Scottish band Mogwai is known for its unique brand of post-rock, incorporating elements of ambient and experimentalism. Glasgow musicians Stuart Braithwaite (guitar), Dominic Aitchison (bass) and drummer Martin Bulloch formed Mogwai in 1995. Multi-instrumentalist Barry Burns has been with the group since 1998. The group debuted on record with 1997’s Mogwai Young Team; that release earned critical praise and established the band’s distinctive sonic style. Mogwai makes use of some progressive elements (such as loud/quiet and fast/slow dynamic contrasts), and emphasizes emotional depth in their songcraft. While the group has its own unique musical character, Mogwai has sometimes been likened to other innovative and boundary-pushing acts including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sigur Rós and Explosions in the Sky. The band’s melodic sense and warm atmospherics make them more approachable than some of those artists, however. Mogwai has extensive credits creating music for film and television, but their primary focus remains creating albums; a hit in the British Isles and across Europe, 2025’s The Bad Fire is their latest.

Ty Segall
California-born Ty Segall is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and producer known for his prolific output – 17 albums and counting under his own name plus numerous side projects – and his command of diverse musical styles. Working out of San Francisco in the late 00s, Segall emerged as a leading light in the indie- and garage rock scenes. His unalloyed sonic approach blended punk, psychedelic rock and noise. His early efforts (beginning with a 2008 self-titled album) showcased his dual passion for lo-fi recordings and high-energy performances. Throughout his career, Segall has been praised for remarkable facility for creating music that’s both abrasive and rooted in melody. A critics’ darling, Segall’s projects almost always earn effusive praise. Standouts among his body of work include Melted (2010), 2011’s Goodbye Bread and Manipulator (2014). On those and other releases, a common thread is Segall’s use of fuzz-laden guitar riffage, inward-looking lyrics and experimental, nonstandard musical structures. An enthusiastic collaborator, Segall has worked with many bands including stoner-rockers Fuzz, GØGGS, Epsilons and Party Fowl.

Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell is an American treasure. At age 46 he has long since established himself as one of music’s most incisive and heartfelt lyricists, with forthright and heartfelt words forming the core of his original songcraft. Isbell first came to public notice as a member of Drive-By Truckers; with that group from 2001-07, he participated in making three of the band’s celebrated albums. After leaving that band, Isbell formed the 400 Unit, while maintaining a concurrent solo career. His 2013 album Southeastern has been acclaimed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest albums of all time; it was a commercial success as well. Isbell has won six Grammy Awards, nine Americana Music Awards, and was named the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 2017 Artist in Residence. His music truly transcends genre: while rooted in country and Americana styles, Isbell has a rocker’s sensibility and rock-star status in the entertainment world. An outspoken and articulate soul, Isbell is passionate and vocal about the causes he supports, but music remains his primary vehicle.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush
Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a keen sense of musical history. Truly inspired by some of the blues greats, the self-taught guitarist applied what he learned. And he combined that knowledge with an omnivorous approach to music that appreciates the many styles that came from the blues: rock, soul, r&b and more. He released his debut album, the smash hit Ledbetter Heights in 1995. Last year he headlined an all-star lineup of guitarists on the Experience Hendrix tour. Bobby Rush’s musical career has spanned fifty years, at least twenty record labels, and most American popular music genres. He’s tough to pigeonhole: Rush’s music encompasses soul, r&b, funk, blues, and more. He’s earned several awards and scored chart singles. At age 91, Rush has nothing left to prove. Recipient of 14 Blues Music Awards and a three-time Grammy Award winner (Best Traditional Blues Album), Rush could be forgiven if he chose to rest on his laurels, looking back proudly on an impressive body of work that extends over fifty-plus year period. Instead, he’s still wowing concert audiences. Now Shepherd and Rush have teamed up for Young Fashioned Ways, a collaborative blues album.

The War and Treaty
While deployed in Iraq with the U.S. Army, Michael Trotter Jr. turned to songwriting as a coping mechanism. His songs explored personal themes of love, healing and resilience. Once back in the States, he met singer and actor Tanya Blount; the two fell in love, and a musical partnership arose along with their personal relationship. In 2018, the duo debuted as The War and Treaty; their debut full-length, 2018’s Healing Tide climbed to #26 on Billboard’s Indie chart, and #11 on the Heatseekers chart. The War and Treaty followed up that release with Hearts Town (2020), 2022’s Blank Page EP, and Lover’s Game in 2023. A collaborative holiday-themed single with Josh Groban, “Do You Hear What I Hear” was released in 2024; the track placed #22 on the Adult Contemporary singles chart. Other collaborations have found the pair working with Brandi Carlile and Chris Stapleton. The duo’s latest album, Plus One was released in February 2025. The Grammy-nominated duo’s emotionally honest musical approach is carried through with their energetic live shows, and the duo’s sound – while based in Americana and roots textures – truly transcends genre boundaries.