OLD 97’s, Blame It On Gravity (New West)
Official Site | MySpace | Samples

And then entered the contender. Dallas based band The Old 97’s are back in a big way. Teaming up with talented producer Salim Nourallah ‘Blame It On Gravity’ is the most refreshing release of the year thus far. Solid through and through, the energy is infectious. Put this on and burn a whole in your disc player. Don’t believe me? See Erica Bruce’s review. File under: Rock / Alternative / Alt-Country

Noteworthy

• DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, Narrow Straits (Atlantic)
  Official Site | MySpace | Stream
  Highly anticipated follow up to 2005’s ‘Plans’ explores a darker side.

More Highlights

AMOS GARRETT, BLACK ANGELS, CHUCK LEAVELL, DENNIS WILSON, DUKE ROBILLARD, LOCAL H, PATTI ROTHBERG, PETER WALKER, STAIRWELL SISTERS, T BONE BURNETT and more.

See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Noteworthy articles from Twangville and our friendly neighbors:

• Album Review: Blame It On Gravity-The Old 97s [Twangville]
• Josh Rouse: Straight From the Horse’s Mouth [Twangville]
• Mayer’s Playlist for March/April, Part 1 [Twangville]
• Joe Pug - Nation of Heat [Twangville / Gobbler’s Knob]
• Justin Trawick Live at IOTA [Twangville]
• Hayes Carll the Heir Apparent [Twangville / Amber Waves of Twang]

For those hitting the Bob Schneider show at the Birchmere in Alexandria tonight (Friday, May 9), you may want to also reserve your Saturday (May 10) night for DC’s own Justin Trawick at IOTA who will be celebrating the release of his new live CD recorded at the very same venue it was recorded. Leading up to the big event, Justin humbly agreed to a little Q&A session with Twangville.

[Twangville] You hop seamlessly from playing acoustic solo, to the trio and to sharing the stage with as many as seven other musicians with added instruments such as upright bass, sax and cello. What is it about these different dynamics and what would your ideal band consist of?

[Justin Trawick] I don’t know…I think I just like incorporating as many different sounds as possible in an effort to be versatile as I can. Over the past few years playing in the area I’ve made countless friends who play all different types of cool instruments and I like to try to incorporate them into my music as much as possible. I think my idea is that no matter what lineup I have that night, the music is going to be fun and exciting, no matter whether it’s just me on guitar or if I’m backed by a seven piece funk band with two rappers in tow. My ideal band?…I want to turn my song “To New Hampshire” into a Dixieland song with a tuba and clarinet. I’ve already talked to some people about it. Oh, and I want to get a high school drumline to sit in at a show…

[T] You’ve cited influences from Bob Schneider to Ryan Adams and have drawn comparisons to artists like G.Love and Jason Mraz. How would you compare and contrast yourself to these artists?

[JT] Well, first of all the upright bass is a direct result from growing up listening to G. Love. I loved his sound, that would be amazing to open for them one day The goes for Jason Mraz and his ability to put so many lyrics into a three minute song. I respect Bob Schneider to the highest degree for his ability to incorporate as many styles as possible and not just be pigeonholed into one. I suppose I’m attempting to do the same thing…bluegrass, country, folk, rock and roll, funk, even hip hop and reggae. Ryan Adams’ has some amazingly awesome heartbreaking songs that just make you go “oh my god…”. I’ve recently realized lately that a lot of my new material has been about heartbreak…although it’s usually disguised by upbeat instrumentation and sax solos!

[T]If you had your pick to open for one of them on tour who would that be?

[JT] I would love to go on tour with Bob (Schneider). I got to open for him once in Austin at his home venue Antones and it was an amazing experience. Supporting him for multiple dates would be an unbelievable experience.

[T] I know you’re actively involved in the DC music scene both performing on your own and in support of other local musicians. What do you love about the capitol music scene and on the flip side what is it missing?

[JT] The DC area music scene is great. From Virginia, to Maryland, to the DC proper, there are a lot of opportunities for bands to play and for fans to get involved. We’ve got amazing international venues like the Kennedy Center and the 930 Club that even allow local acts in to play…how awesome is that? I ran a music showcase with my friend Elli for about a year at Solly’s in DC where we helped showcase area singer/songwriters. There are so many good bands coming out of the DC area now…it would be nice to see some more music industry interest down here checking out some of these greats acts.

[T] Back in January Arlington’s IOTA Club and Cafe hosted a live show where you recorded a new disc. What can you tell people about that night and where can they pick up the disc?

[JT] It was a great night. IOTA is by far my favorite venue in the entire DC area and the staff there and owners are great. My full band played the show with area locals Honor By August and Everyone But Pete. We were sandwiched right in the middle and the show was sold out by the time we went on stage around 10:30pm or so. The show featured my seven piece band including sax, cello, and even a rapper and it went over as flawlessly as I could ask for. The CD is going to available on various internet download places including iTunes, and CDBaby, and of course at all my shows.

[T] You’ve been performing a song titled ‘Untitled’. Really, no title? Or is this simply a modernist art submission to music on your part?

[JT] Well…ok…I don’t know. I get this question a lot. In the beginning it was honestly due to just the lack of being able to think of one. But the more I played the song the more I realized I don’t think a name really can fit that song. That song basically has three movements that basically range the entire spectrum love, emotional, and the whole conundrum that is “being in a relationship”. It starts out “I love you I think you’re amazing” to “get away from me, like far far away from me” to “hey…I think I miss you”. There’s no steadfast rule in any relationship and sometimes there’s no real exact way to explain how you feel. I think that “Untitled” really best fits the mood of the song…who’s never been in a relationship that you didn’t quite know how to title it?

[T] Tell us a little about the “Justin Trawick Live At IOTA” CD Release party.

[JT] I can tell you this…even my parents are coming to this show! I can’t wait…I think it’s going to be an amazing time and a really great way to kick off the new album. Making an album isn’t an easy endeavor, especially when you’re an independent musician. This is the final product of five months of zero sleep and a lot of coffee. I can’t wait to unwind with all my friends and family on Saturday and just have a great time.

For more details about the show see Justin’s MySpace profile or visit the IOTA web site. As mentioned, the album will be available at iTunes and CDbaby.

ELVIS COSTELLO, Momofuku (Lost Highway)
Official Site | MySpace | Samples

At Twangville there’s very little that Elvis Costello can do wrong. The lastest from Costello and his merry band of Imposters appears to be no different. Adding to the fun the band teams up with Jonathan Rice and girlfriend Jenny Lewis, “Farmer” Dave Scher, Pete Thomas and his daughter Tennesee (The Like). Sounds like a typical Costello “Let’s have some fun and make a record at the same time. Heck, let’s call it something that sounds like I’m offending your mother”. File under: Rock

Noteworthy

• FIREWATER, The Golden Hour (Bloodshot)
  Official Site | MySpace | MP3*
  Recently signed by Bloodshot records, Firewater experiments with Middle Eastern sounds uniquely blended with roots and punk influences.
  
• SIERRA HULL, Secrets (Rounder)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples
  If Alison Krauss has some real competition. She’s only 16 and plays a mean mandolin. Even Union Station has an eye on this young phenom as Ron Block is a co-producer.
• JEB LOY NICHOLS, Days Are Mighty (Compass)
  Official Site | MySpace | Samples
  “Jeb Loy Nichols occupies a territory somewhere between the Soul influenced folk of Martin Sexton and a more acoustic singer-songwriter sound.” — Chip Frazier

More Highlights

ERSI ARVIZU, EVEREST, FRANK CARILLO & THE BANDOLEROS, MIDNIGHT OIL, NO AGE, RACHAEL SAGE and more.

See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Noteworthy articles from Twangville and our friendly neighbors:

• Jeb Loy Nichols - Days are Mighty [Twangville / Amber Waves of Twang]
• HearYa Live Session 17: Justin Townes Earle [Hear Ya]
• James McMurtry is “Irate In Aught-Eight” [Hickory Wind]
• The Middle Class - Deep in Debt [Twangville / The Gobblers Knob]
• Avett Brothers Concert Recap - Dallas, TX (4/30/08) [The Gobblers Knob]
• Josh Ritter and the Conquest of a Crowd [Hickory Wind]
• They’re Pickin’ … And I’m Grinnin’ [Hickory Wind]

* Source: BloodshotRecords.com

GRIFFIN HOUSE, Flying Upside Down (Nettwerk)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream

Out of Ohio comes Nashville-based singer-songwriter Griffin House with his latest record titled ‘Flying Upside Down’ available on Nettwerk Records. House draws well-warranted comparisons to Ryan Adams (in a good way) as well as a detectable influence of Johnny Cash. Check out album track “Let Me In” which contains this classic lyric “sometimes you feel a little closer to heaven when you raise a little hell”. File under: Rock / Folk

Noteworthy

• STEVE WINWOOD, Nine Lives (Sony)
  Official Site | MySpace | Stream | MP3*
  Eric Clapton lends a hand on the record’s first single “Dirty City”.
  
• BOMBADIL, A Buzz, A Buzz (Ramseur)
  Official Site | MySpace | MP3**
  No, not the lovable character from ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Instead an equally lovable and quirky band out of Durham, NC conceived while members of the band were studying abroad in Bolivia.
  
• LANGHORNE SLIM, self-titled (Kemado)
  
  MySpace | MP3***
  Soulful folk rock out of Brooklyn.

More Highlights

HAYDEN, HENRY BUTLER, NATASHA BORZILOVA, PORTISHEAD, ROBERT FORSTER, TERRI CLARK, THE ROOTS and more.

See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Noteworthy articles from Twangville and our friendly neighbors:

• Q&A with the Wrinkle Neck Mules + a Monster Giveaway [Twangville]
• Griffin House: Flying Upside Down [Twangville / Gobblers Knob]
• Adam Hood - “Different Groove” [The 9513]
• The Daylight Hours- How To Make A Mess of Things [Twangville]
• It Burns When I Pee Episode #0014 “Dave Sisson” [Section 86]
• SXSW 2008: Say What? [Twangville]
• South Austin Jug Band - Strange Invitation [Twangville / Amber Waves of Twang]
• The Atkinsons - American Gothic [Twangville]
• Old Settler’s Music Festival Highlights [Twangville]
• SXSW 2008: The Sounds Part 2 [Twangville]

* Source: ColumbiaRecords.com
** Source: RamseurRecords.net
*** Source:SXSW.com

One disc you may have overlooked in 2007 came from Richmond, VA based Wrinkle Neck Mules titled ‘The Wicks Have Met’. Rustically rooted in Old Dominion’s historic south, the Wrinkle Neck Mules deliver with their own special brand of twanged up rock and roll and wacky sense of humor. There could be no other band that can claim their very own jack ass of a mascot. Among comparisons, you might find their sound somewhere between the Deadstring Brothers and Widespread Panic. Take Chip Frazier’s word for it as he placed the album at #7 just one spot ahead of Jason Isbell in his Best of 2007 poll.

I recently had the fortune of having a Q&A session with Andy Stepanian who heads up this fine band. Andy and the rest of the Mules were kind enough to offer up a signed poster along with a copy of ‘The Wicks Have Met’ to FIFTEEN lucky Twangville readers. See below for details.

Hear album track “Black Skies for the High & Mighty (live)” (MP3) from Mason & Andy Acoustic recorded live at Alley Katz in Richmond, VA (12/06/06)

[Source: RoundHillRecords.com]

Q&A with Andy Stepanian of the Wrinkle Neck Mules

Twangville: You recently performed at the AmericanaRoots/Galleywinter Showcase at SXSW 08 along with other acts like Mando Saenz and The Band of Heathens. Did you get to enjoy any of the other sets? Was there a favorite?
Andy: We didn’t see them all, but our favorite was the Whipsaws from all the way up in Alaska. They are good lads as well. We’ve had a sort of “cyber” relationship with them for a spell anyway. That sounds shady I know, but they sort of bounced ideas off of us and vice versa via email. So, it was nice to put some names with some faces. And, we’re plotting this big Alaska tour for summer 09 with them. Just to day we did.

T: Damn, your last album ‘The Wicks Have Met’ was good. Word on the farm is that you’ve got a new one in the works. When can we expect to hear it and will there be any specific themes in play?
A: I don’t know. There is no real time line right now. It’s going to be slow, but it’s in the works for sure. Early summer ’09 maybe? We’re just demoing things for each other right now and creating skeletons. Some of the bones need milk.

As for themes or approaches, we’re talking about a lot of things. Maybe recording the bulk of it live? In the end though my money is on a process much like the one we used for The Wicks Have Met. Just digging in in our own studio and chipping away at the rock until we have things just the way we want them. That’s the best way for us. We feel we do our best work without the constraints of studio time and without the noise of outside opinion. And we don’t think we sacrifice much - if anything - sonically to do it our own way on our own time. We’ve gotten pretty good at the engineering bit.

T: ‘Wrinkle Neck Mules’ was a great choice for a band name. Was there a runner up?
A: There really wasn’t. It’s not like we sat around with a list of names and had votes and such to get to “Wrinkle Neck Mules”. It just happened sometime during the course of our first little pathetic show. One minute we weren’t, the next we were. Mason and our original drummer, Blake, and I did play in a bluegrass-ish band that was sort of an offshoot of the Mules called “Largemouth Grass”. I always kind of liked that.

T: What do you make of the 2008 race for president? Who’s gonna wear boots at next year’s inauguration?
A: Unlike other musician types, I guess we’ve never felt it was our job or our place to opine upon these types of things. We have our individual allegiances to causes all over the map, but as for some sort of endorsement, you won’t get that from the Wrinkle Neck Mules press office. We went on a tour of the UK a few years back and I think all the people were surprised that we would not take potshots at the government and at G Dub. They kept asking and baiting us and shit talking. We just wanted to drink the pints and eat the doner kebabs.

T: B. B. King named his guitar ‘Lucille’. Willie calls his ‘Trigger’. Any of the Mules have names for their instruments?
A: I think Mason would kick my ass if any of I seriously came out with a name for my instrument like “Yellow Bird”, “Ear Caresser” or something of the sort. I suppose Willie and BB earned the right and we really haven’t yet. Once you become a living legend I guess you can do whatever you want to do. That said, our two vans have both had names. Muleicorn I, a two-tone 1989 Dodge Ram, served faithfully until 2006 and Muleicorn II, your cookie cutter 1999 White Ford, still serves today.

T: Who gets to wear the Mule costume?
A: Costume? What do you mean? That thing is real. And it bites.

Purchase ‘The Wicks Have Met’ from Miles of Music.

www.wrinkleneckmules.com
http://www.myspace.com/wrinkleneckmules

* By participating in this contest you agree to allow Twangville to post the winner’s name and city on our web site.

THE WEEPIES, Hideaway (Nettwerk)
Official Site | MySpace | Stream | Free Download*

They make sweet, sweet music… and babies… or at least one baby. Both parthers in music and in life the duo of Deb Talan and Steve Tannen released another Weepies album titled ‘Hideaway’. You’ve probably heard their music before on the teevee whether you knew it or not as they’ve been featured on such shows as “Scrubs”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Everwood”, “One Tree Hill” and more. OK, I don’t watch those shows either but that’s still some impressive airplay. Start with title track ‘Hideaway’ and keep digging. For folk-pop fans, The Weepies will not disappoint. Better yet, Nettwerk Records is offering a free download of ‘Hideaway’ as your present for celebrating Erf Day. Go Erf! File under: Pop / Rock / Acoustic

Noteworthy

• REPLACEMENTS, Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash; Stink; Hootenanny; Let It Be (Rhino)
  Stream
  Re-issues from the Mats!
• BILLY BRAGG, Mr. Love & Justice (Anti-)
  Official Site | MySpace
  A musicians’ ‘Rocky’ takes on Bebo and another album. Still better with Wilco than without.
• CHRIS MILLS, Living In The Aftermath (Ernest Jenning)
  Official Site | MySpace
  He’s toured with Lucero, Ben Folds and Bishop Allen. Dude can rock.

More Highlights

AMELIA, CAROLE KING, CLAY MCCLINTON, DAVE MC CANN & THE TEN TOED FROGS, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, GREG LISHER, JOHN NELSON, LOVE, LYRICS BORN, MICHAEL DOUCET, STEVE RILEY & THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS, TAB BENOIT and more.

See our Release Calendar for more new releases like these.

Bonus Material

Stuff happening with Twangville and our friendly neighbors.

• Twangville and New West Records are giving away the Drive-by Truckers latest disc “Brighter Than Creations Dark” plus a DBT vinyl reissue to FIVE lucky winners and all you have to do is leave a comment to win. Don’t hesitate, there’s only a few days left. View »
• Blake Clayton’s ‘It Burns When I Pee’ podcast Episode #14 is now available. View »
• SXSW coverage continues to pour in as Mayer adds his take. View »
• Sadly we mourn the passing of three greats in one week: Sean Costello, Chris Gaffney (Hacienda Brothers) and Danny Federici (E Street Band). [Source: No Depression]
• Chip Frazier (Twangville / Amber Waves of Twang) reviews Jim Lauderdale’s ‘Honey Songs’ and Griffin House’s ‘Flying Upside Down’.
• Ben Cisneros (The 9513) reviews Hayes Carll’s ‘Trouble in Mind’. View »
• We’re looking for people who love music to help write reviews for Twangville. Learn more about how you can contribute. Be sure and sign up now because soon it will be by request only.

* Courtesy of Nettwerk Records

It was only weeks ago that I added Sean Costello to my ‘Best of Winter ‘08′ playlist. His blues-rock record ‘We Can Get Together’ (released in February of this year) is remarkable and truly sits near (if not at) the top of the list in its genre so far this year. Today we learned the sad news of Sean’s passing at the tender age of 28 just one day before his 29th birthday. No cause of death has been released. Our thoughts and prayers are with those close to Sean and his family.

The Drive-by Truckers had to make ‘Brighter Than Creations Dark‘ in the way that they did. Consisting of 19 songs comprising 75 minutes of twanged up tell-it-like-it-is rock n’ roll. I’m sure the band will attribute the length and breadth of this album to a fertile period. But let’s face it, there’s a big reason this album needed to make a statement. “What!? Tom, you must be drinking crazy juice again” you say. Why would the Drive-by Truckers, a definitive alt-country band, need a reason to make a record other than the need to pay the utility bills and live a rock ‘n roll lifestyle? Well, there’s at least one good reason. Check it…

Prior to the making of this record, Jason Isbell, a DBT staple and core member of the band, decided to go it alone (we all hope this is just a phase). So what does Isbell go and do but make a solid, poignant record thus proving he’s got the chops to do what the Trucker’s do best and do it on his own. We at Twangville loved ‘Sirens of the Ditch’ so much we collectively named it our favorite album of the year in 2008. To my knowledge, Isbell hasn’t come clean on why he left one of the greatest alt country bands ever and I’m sure he’s got more than one reason. But one can only cite the awkwardness of working together on a regular basis with your ex (Shonna Tucker). I mean, who wants to be around when the other is locking lips with someone else around the corner? All parties claim that each is still on friendly terms and that seems acceptable even if some speculation proves true.

So let’s dissect their latest release a little. In talking about the recent move by New West to release some of the band’s catalog on vinyl (great move for us fans) refers to ‘Brighter Than Creation’s Dark’ as “our finest album”. A bold statement for sure considering the strength of their résumé. I’m not ready to make that leap yet but I will go as far as to say that its up there. On the one hand you have to cut them some slack. Putting 19 songs on a single record and expecting them all to be home runs just isn’t realistic. I recently did a little experiment where I split the record into two distinctive halves. One consisting of the twanged up rock we’ve all come to know and love and the other binding together their more countrified baladry. What I discovered was there could be two very different records here. A rockin’ one that sits up there with their best records including my personal favorite ‘The Dirty South’ and the other a pretty damn good country record in the grand scheme of things. We as fans should be grateful they decided to pack all these songs on to one record. Its like getting two for the price of one but even better due to the thoughtful grouping of the songs into 4 ’sides’.

Now, arguably there’s some definite B-side material here. As much as I hate to admit it there are several songs that I’d pull off to make a stronger offering but still a full size album. An abridged version if you will. For instance, I’d lose “I’m Sorry Huston”, “Daddy Needs a Drink”, “Bob”, “The Purgatory Line” and “You And Your Crystal Meth”. All pretty good songs when you look at the clever songwriting. They just seem to be downers on a record that doesn’t really need them. Two of those songs were written and sung by the previously taciturn Tucker. This is not to discourage her efforts because I believe it was a bold move to step to the forefront of the band on her part as well as the band’s ability to take some chances with the departure of ex-husband Isbell. And by all means, “Home Field Advantage” also written by Tucker is a pretty cool song. Tucker also does a fantastic job with backup vocals to several songs including the opener “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife”.

In summary, I like to think that we the fans got around 4 or 5 DBT free’B'ies on one of the best Drive-by Truckers records to date. You’ve still got around 14 boot stompin’, whiskey sippin’ songs and one slammin’ album from Patterson Hood, Mike Cooley, Shonna Tucker, Brad Morgan, John Neff and Spooner Oldham together in one of the best southern rock bands ever.

There’s one thing for sure, the Drive-by Truckers proved they don’t need Jason Isbell to carry on. And Isbell certainly proved he doesn’t need DBT. But I have to say, the ‘three axe attack’ is still better with Isbell in it. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake there is a reunion in our future.

The Giveaway

Now for the goodies! The kind and generous folks at New West in partnership with the Drive-by Truckers are offering 5 lucky fans one copy of Brighter Than Creation’s Dark and one copy of a DBT vinyl reissue right here on Twangville and all you have to do is leave a comment below to be eligible. Please limit yourself to one comment per person. Contest ends Friday, 4/25/08 at midnight EST. Winners will be contacted by e-mail prior to any announcements.*

Purchase ‘Brighter Than Creations Dark’ from Miles of Music.

www.drivebytruckers.com
www.myspace.com/drivebytruckers
www.newwestrecords.com

* By participating in this contest you agree to allow Twangville to post the winner’s name and city on our web site. We pass along the winning addresses to the promotions company for fulfillment. Twangville will not use your address for any other reason.