Like the best singer/songwriters, Hayes Carll has a wickedly pointed sense of humor, a devastating observational eye for humanity’s flaws and an unfailing hope for its redemption.
The Texas native began his career over a decade and a half ago, releasing his 2002 debut, Flowers and Liquor, to great acclaim and drawing appropriate comparisons to Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard, who Carll cites as a mentor and friend. Three years later, Carll self-released his sophomore album, Little Rock, on his Highway 87 Records, which generated plenty of label buzz, resulting in a contract with major indie Lost Highway Records. Read more about Carll in this week's Sound Advice.
Hayes Carll plays 20th Century Theater Thursday with Emily Gimble. More info/tickets: 20thcenturytheatre.com .