Bill Mallonee (Vigilantes of Love): From Americana’s ”Next Big Thing” to Indefatigable Digital Busker

Bill Mallonee has been lauded as one of the 100 greatest living
songwriters by Paste Magazine and honored by Rolling Stone, The
New York Times, Billboard, and more. Before “Americana” was even
known as a musical genre, his Athens GA band Vigilantes of Love
was helping to define it. Later, with albums produced by Peter
Buck of R.E.M., Mark Heard, Jim Scott, and Buddy Miller, it
seemed all but inevitable that Bill and his band of outlaws would
break through to the big time (whatever that means.) Instead,
over thirty years into his career, Mallonee is duking it out,
still taking things into his own hands – keeping it all painfully
and beautifully real.


 


On this episode of the True Tunes Podcast, we are joined by one
of the true “lifers” of the modern roots music scene. With over
70 albums under his belt – and no indication that he intends to
slow down any time soon, Mallonee has become a sort of digital
troubadour: an online busker. In this expansive conversation, we
learn about his musical roots, his circuitous path through the
music industry, and his lingering belief in the power of
authentic songs.


 


Full Show Notes, Music List, and archival video are available
HERE or at TrueTunes.com/VOL 


 


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