Mavericks of Sound

Music scholar Ensminger collects vivid and compelling interviews with legendary roots rock and indie artists who bucked mainstream trends and have remained resilient in the face of enormous shifts in the music world. * Publishers Weekly *
Instructor of English, Humanities, and Folklore at Lee College (and music scholar) David Ensminger has had an almost life-long devotion to the punk world. He brings his passion to music in Mavericks of Sound, a collection of compiled interviews of 'wits and raw talent.' The title is packed with compelling conversations with musicians who share how their music-making has been influenced and how creativity and passion still compel them. From Indie rock’s Janet Bean to folk rocker Peter Case to legendary Merle Haggard, musical history, culture, and heritage are showcased. Each chapter opens with some background, and then the interviews follow. A simple index is included. Scholars, fans, and anyone interested in music history will find this title useful. * American Reference Books Annual *
Ensminger has complied his work for Thirsty Ear, Left of the Dial, and others into this new collection, and it’s a wealth of interviews with the less celebrated among the indie world. From the roots and alt-country of Dave Alvin, Alejandro Escovedo, and Neko Case, to country legends such as Ralph Stanley and Merle Haggard, he manages to get folks talking, and the result is a captivating glimpse into the artists’ minds. His writings on punk legends such as Wayne Kramer, Michael Gira, and The Mekons is no less sharp, showing Ensminger's range. A good read, indeed. * Big Takeover Magazine *
How are the interviews [in Mavericks of Sound]? Well, they're just as interesting as the people the author is speaking to. In his preface, Ensminger writes, 'These are interviews without fillers, adornment or anything that might keep you at arm's length from the words of the wise-blooded -- the Rogue's Gallery found herein....' That's an accurate description of the contents here. No fillers, no adornment and, sometimes, no direction; just a Q&A that meanders through an artist's career; occasionally brilliant, occasionally mundane. I recommend a reading because there's a lot of meat on these various bones and most of it is tasty, but best to go at it like a series of lunches, spaced out a few bites per day. * Rambles.NET *
This is another of those smart, cerebral and thoughtful music books. And what makes it work for me is with the exception of a few of the musicians interviewed, I wasn’t a fan or that knowledgeable about the others. I know a great deal more now and it’s sparked my interest. That, in and of itself, tells me that Ensminger has done his job well. * Popdose *