After his on-the-rise cult band Camper Van Beethoven imploded, singer-songwriter David Lowery formed Cracker, which delivered smart, tuneful, sharp-witted Americana through songs such as “Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now),” “Low” and “Get Off This.” Lowery has continued performing with Cracker and the re-formed Camper, but his most recent works have been autobiographical solo albums, including this year’s Vending Machine, which reflects on his music-biz triumphs and misadventures and why he keeps coming back for more. Lowery also is a leading artists’ rights advocate and a University of Georgia business professor, and he has much to say about the creation of his music, the workings of the industry and why he’d rather release CDs than place his songs on streaming services. (Photo by Jason Thrasher.)