“I’m not officially open but I don’t want to deny a man his beer. That’s just treason.” ~ a bartender who earned my eternal gratitude “This song goes out to what’s her name wherever she is.” ~ Steve Earle, introducing his song “Now She’s Gone” “Same girl, different harmonica..” ~ Steve Earle, introducing his next […]
SXSW 2007: The Sounds, Part 2
Low Stars – Some of the best SXSW moments occur when you randomly stumble across a surprise performance, such as finding the Low Stars playing a low-key club show late Saturday afternoon. The band is made up of four singer-songwriters, each with a distinct voice, mining the glories of southern California roots music in the […]
Kevin Lawson, On the Radar
It’s unlikely that you’ll find me in the Christian section of the record store. Its not that I’m anti-Christian. To the contrary, I’m quite comfortable and proud of my faith. Its more a case of my lack of knowledge in Christian music. Unlike my friend Stephen over at Fishtones.net (shameless plug) I haven’t been exposed […]
The Liabilities/The Liabilities
The Liabilities are a 4-piece from Macon, Georgia consisting of Aaron Irons (lead vocals, guitar), Justin Smith (bass, backing vocals), Brandon Fickler (lead guitar, vocals) and Josh Smith (drums). From listening to their debut self-titled disc, you’d have no idea it was recorded in a 10×30 foot storage shed in Columbia, South Carolina during the […]
SXSW 2007: The Sounds, Part 1
The Apples in Stereo – The gauntlet has been thrown down, my friends. I challenge any band to top the energy of an Apples performance. First during the afternoon CMJ Texas Tea Party and then at their official showcase, the band blew through one high energy rock song after the next. If fact, band and […]
Grant-Lee Phillips & More, Album Previews
Grant Lee Phillips “Soft Asylum (No Way Out)” Grant-Lee Phillips, Strangelet (Zoe/Rounder) Out with his fifth solo recording titled “Strangelet”, Grant-Lee Phillips looks to cosmic abnormalities to inspire a “record for strange times”. Check out the Grant-Lee Phillips’ MySpace profile for song previews. File under: Rock, Acoustic, Alternative. ALSO LOOK FOR: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, […]
SXSW 2007: The Scene
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 […]