Chris Gaffney of The Hacienda Brothers Diagnosed with Liver Cancer

Chris Gaffney, founding member and lead singer of The Hacienda Brothers, has just been diagnosed with liver cancer. Gaffney had been recording as recently as January but was taken ill in February. He then began an extensive round of tests that led to the discovery of the cancer. Early next month Chris will begin undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and although he has health insurance it does not cover all of his medical costs and living expenses. In order to raise the [...]

Review – Star Anna – Crooked Path (Malamute Records)

Now this is how it’s done. Ellensburg, Washington based Star Anna Krogstie’s debut release, “Crooked Path” (the English translation of her Norwegian surname) delivers some of the finest work in alternative country today.

Echoing the folky remoteness of Cat Power (Chan Marshall), the rustic revivalism of Gillian Welch, and just a grain of Neko Case style Southern-gothic smoldering, Star Anna wears her influences proudly but makes her own mark on the material here.

Her band the Laughing Dogs lay down adept and [...]