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Yesterday, MTV News’ Sway Calloway sat down with Taylor Swift to talk about songwriting, working with The Civil Wars on their latest track for the “Hunger Games,” and touring. Watch her new video, “Safe & Sound” featuring The Civil Wars below and for the complete interview visit MTV News.

I’ve been following The Barr Brothers since I caught their phenomenal concert at Mercury Lounge in September. With an innate ability to captivate their audience, each show leaves a memorable impression. Even David Letterman seems to agree.

Watch The Barr Brothers perform “Beggar In the Morning” live on the “Late Show with David Letterman” below.

Video Credit: Wendy Hu

Last summer, I chatted with Amber Rubarth after her intimate show at Rockwood Music Hall. A beloved musician to many, she has collaborated with numerous artists including Jason Mraz and Martie Maguire and Emily Robison of the Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds, not to mention toured the California coast on a vespa with Jason Reeves.

During our interview, Rubarth filled me in on her journey to following her passion, something her boss engrained in her while she was an apprentice to a chainsaw sculptor in Nevada, her songwriting process and the inspiration by some of her songs.

To find out more, watch the video below and be sure to purchase a copy of her latest album, A Common Case of Disappearing, which features collaborations with Jacquire King, Brad Bivens, Adam Levy, Frank Swart, Marco Giovino, Oliver Kraus, Zac Rae, Jason Reeves and Jason Mraz. Catch Amber Rubarth live tonight at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2.

Not a man of many words, Ryan Adams performed with little more than a thank you for the majority of his 70-minute set last night. But, when he did address the audience halfway through the performance, he proved just how funny he truly is.

Shortly after 8 p.m., what appeared to be Adams dressed in a dog costume, walked down the aisle of Ed Sullivan Theater. Minutes later, the real Adams walked onstage and picked up his guitar and harmonica. No doubt comedic effect, the moment was soon forgotten as Adams took his place center stage.

Holding the audience in the palm of his hand, the room went silent as his whispered vocals, wavering harmonica parts and delicately strummed guitar reverberated throughout the room. Guitar centric tracks like opening number “Oh My Sweet Carolina” and “Lucky Now” from recent release, Ashes and Fire impressed. All the while, Adams continued to showcase his talent on a number of piano-centric tracks including fan favorite “New York, New York.”

Watch Adams’ complete performance below.

At CMJ last year I stumbled into Rockwood Music Hall to find myself captivated by Matthew Mayfield. Onstage alone with nothing but his acoustic guitar, he silenced the room with his powerful vocals and telling lyrics.

While in California this summer, I met up with Mayfield before his performance at famed venue The Hotel Cafe and chatted with him about his music and songwriting. “Fire Escape” was one of my favorite tracks on his album so I asked if he was ever afraid to reveal too much in a song.

“Honestly, that’s probably the hardest one. I’m never scared because it’s like therapy for me. I need to do it, to get it out. I don’t know. I feel like there’s a release that you get from putting it on paper and singing it in a song that’s healthy. It’s always been an outlet for me since I was a little kid.”

Watch Mayfield’s captivating new video for “Fire Escape” with actress Brittany Snow.

Related Links:
• Q&A with Matthew Mayfield
• Artist of the Week: Matthew Mayfield
• Matthew Mayfield Debuts New Video, Plus Free Track
• CMJ 2010: Five Artists to Watch

Justin Moore has a lot to celebrate. His fastest rising single, ‘If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,’ rose to No. 1 this week on the Billboard & Country Aircheck/USA Today Country Singles charts. The song shows the Arkansas’ native’s softer, more sensitive side. But it’s his comedic side you’ll see if you search for him on YouTube.

“When I first came out, before we came out to radio, we had some underground success and a lot of it has to do with me acting like an idiot on YouTube,” Moore said with a laugh. “I’m pretty good at being an idiot, so we just turned the camera on and whatever happens happens. I’m on the road with all my best friends in the world so we get to travel around, see the country and play music together. You never know what’s going to come from conversations we have.”

For the complete article visit The Boot. Watch one of his videos below.

This week on Billboard‘s Mashup Mondays Jason Reeves impresses with his folk infused cover of Nicki Minaj’s “Moment 4 Life.” Watch below as he performs the track live at Billboard‘s studio and find out just why Reeves is a huge fan of Minaj. For the complete article click here and be on the lookout for Reeves’ upcoming album due out later this summer.