Another year, another SXSW. An estimated 1,500 bands and artists — not to mention tens of thousands of music industry and other spectators — converged on Austin for the annual music industry showcase, filling hotels, clubs and the streets beyond capacity. Over the next week, I’ll be highlighting the scene, sounds and sayings of this […]
Old Crow Medicine Show/Big Iron World
In what a big iron world we live. Or so think Old Crow Medicine Show. On their second disc, again produced by David Rawlings, the boys would like to take us back to a much simpler time. A time before Leo Fender and Les Paul’s “electric” guitars. This is a time when the banjo and […]
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, The SXSW Encore
Here’s a short clip of the encore Grace Potter and Scott Tournet belted out as described on my SXSW Recap. I must have been standing just to the left of the cameraman. Great to see someone captured this. I can’t tell you how much better it sounded live. Also, note the glass of scotch Potter […]
Cary Ann Hearst / Dust and Bones
From the Queen-esque stomp (see: We Will Rock You) of the first track, (It’s also the title track.) “Dust and Bones”, Charleston, South Carolina’s Cary Ann Hearst shows she’s kicking up her boots and is here to have a good time. Or is it Queen-esque? Maybe Hearst and company are channeling the recent Black Rebel […]
Low Stars, On the Radar
Harmony, harmony, harmony. Apparently, its back in style and it sounds great. Witness foursome Low Stars with their debut album. I know what you are thinking… these guys are a CSN ripoff. You’d be right, but they don’t hide from this. In fact, they embrace it. “We wanted to make an authentic-sounding record that was […]
Looking Back at SXSW 2007
My first SXSW experience ended abruptly on Friday, but that doesn’t mean that a good time was not had. Chaperoned by some of the foremost Southby experts around, Mayer Danzig and John Anderson, my week starting on Saturday the 10th and ending on Friday the 16th was absolutely incredible. Highlights included Tuesday Night at the […]
Ted Leo & More, Album Previews
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Living With the Living (Touch & Go Records) If I’m telling the full truth, Jesse Malin would have been my pick of the week if I could locate a full album stream. The good news is that Ted Leo and the Pharmacists are more than second best. Fans of Spoon […]
Bob Forrest, Mike Martt and Gypsy Trash Live April 12 in Long Beach, CA
Bob Forrest of Thelonius Monster plays a rare solo show and he’s paired on this bill by Mike Martt of Thelonius Monster and Tex and the Horseheads fame. Opening is Gypsy Trash, featuring DD Wood and Robbie Allen. This is a show with lots of LA roots rock history and is not one to miss. […]
JJ Grey & Mofro Poster – Free To Good Home
So here’s the deal, kiddies. I happen to have gotten my grubby little hands on two copies of the promo poster for the newest album from JJ Grey & Mofro, “Country Ghetto”. One went straight to my wall. The other, however, is currently homeless. I figured the best way to find a deserving person to […]
The Young Dubliners – The Irish Sessions
Though they orginated in Dublin, the Young Dubliners’ turbo charged sound owes more to Alternative Pop than Irish Pub Rock. Over the years, they have merely peppered their six albums and their concerts with traditional Irish tunes; but when they DO perform authentic Irish, the results have been outstanding, and fans have cried out for […]