Hey, Simon here. Mind if I get on a soapbox for a minute?

I saw a blog post recently, which I guess has been getting some play in certain circles, about the ostensible "authenticity" of Midland. Having loved the band's music from the outset, and having spent some time chatting with the trio about their (sometimes harrowing) stories from the road, I have no fucks to give about whether they meet some online guardian's standard of "real country." Either the music's real good, or it isn't. They are.

Also, they put on a fantastic show; the sold-out crowd at the Troubadour on 9/27 was whipped into a fine froth. Great songs, great singing, great playing, great charm and live energy: by any yardstick I can conceive of, they're the real deal.

As to the question of whether they've paid their dues? The entity known as Midland may be new-ish, but these guys have been working like dogs in dive bars under various names over more long, sweaty, uncomfortable, underpaid nights than you've had hot dinners. They earned this.

Don't like their mustaches? Oh well. I urge you to enjoy some clean-shaven act and not waste your time trying to take down something that brings people joy.

Ahead of their sold-out gig at L.A.'s storied Troubadour, the members of Big Machine/BMLG's Midland (who hit #1 at Country radio with "Drinkin' Problem" and just dropped their full-length set) hoist a cocktail with resident HITS lushes Todd Hensley and Simon Glickman. Later, Simon and Todd woke up at a truck stop with no recollection of the preceding 13 hours.