Her’s a taste of “Live from Atlanta” the first ever Lucero formal live release.
Below you can stream a live version of “Sweet Little Thingâ€, a classic ballad originally from the band’s sophomore effort Tennessee.
“Live from Atlanta” spans the roots-rock band’s career. Recorded over three nights in Atlanta’s Terminal West, it’s a collection of 32 cuts mixing folk, country, soul and punk rock.
About their live performance front man Ben Nichols says “We’re each playing in a completely different band. We’re on stage and each playing in our own Lucero. I’m not sure that’s how it works for other bands.â€
“Blackland Farmer” is a wonderful reverb drenched stomp-blues rock number by Hard Working Americans featuring Todd Snider, Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood), Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi) and Duane Trucks. The roots-music supergroup’s self-titled debut has done well on Americana Radio and received high praise from no less than Rolling Stone, Huffington Post, Mother Jones, USA Today, Relix, Magnet, American Songwriter, NPR’s Fresh Air. The band has been also been nominated for the Americana Music Association’s 2014 Duo / Group of the Year award.
Not too shabby at all.
The new video for “Blackland Farmer” is a contemporary twist on Frankie Miller’s 1959 hit’s narrative about working-class perseverance. The debut video from award-winning rock photographer, journalist Andy Tennille vividly depicts a small farmer facing another grueling day providing for his family. Necessity begets ingenuity as the farmer takes a risk, reacts to changing attitudes and market directions, and pursues a fail-safe cash crop.
Hard Working Americans and Melvin Records will release a special limited edition 12 inch single for “Blackland Farmer.†Side A will feature the original album version of Frankie Miller’s 1959 hit, while Side B will feature a live concert recording of the song. The single package will contain a pack of custom Hard Working Americans rolling papers and a 25% off coupon towards a purchase at the LoDo Wellness Center in Denver, CO, a marijuana dispensary that is open to the public. The final item in the package will be a download card for the new video for “Blackland Farmerâ€.
The limited edition singles will only be available at the band’s shows this summer and here.
The Americana Music Association continues its tradition of showcasing some of the best in Americana and roots music by it’s partial roster of Americanfest performers released today.
Though the lineup doesn’t show any groundbreaking direction, I’m fine with that. There are lots of folks on the list that have been busting their hump for years and deserve this recognition rather then inserting acts to placate outsider accusations of one thing or another. Personally I’m happy to see Casa Twang favorites Howlin’ Brothers, Jamestown Revival, John Moreland, Lera Lynn, Marah and Ben Miller Band on the bill. And Texas is well-represented by Billy Joe Shaver, Sarah Jarosz, Jason Eady and Hayes Carll
The event is celebrating its 15th as the premier Americana event by welcoming 160 performers taking the stage at 11 venues including 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement, City Winery, High Watt, Cannery, Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, Station Inn, Music City Roots, Downtown Presbyterian Church and Musicians Corner.
Three-time Americana Group of the Year, The Avett Brothers, will headline the event at Riverfront Parl on Saturday Sept. 20. Americana’s Music Festival & Conference registrations will have access. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Friday, June 27 at 10AMat www.ticketfly.com.
The first half of Americanafest’s performing artist list includes:
Allison Moorer
Amy Ray
Angaleena Presley
The Avett Brothers
The Barefoot Movement
Ben Miller Band
Billy Joe Shaver
Black Prairie
Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay
Buddy Miller
The Cactus Blossoms
Carlene Carter
Caroline Rose
Chatham County Line
Chuck Mead
Danny & The Champions of the World
The Deadly Gentleman
Del Barber
The Deslondes
Doug Seegers
The Duhks
The Dustbowl Revival
Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo
Ethan Johns
The Fairfield Four
The Grahams
Grant-Lee Phillips
Green River Ordinance
Greensky Bluegrass
Gregory Alan Isakov
Greyhounds
The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer
Hayes Carll
Howlin’ Brothers
Immigrant Union
Israel Nash
Jamestown Revival
Jason Eady
JD Wilkes & the Dirt Daubers
Joe Henry
Joe Pug
Joe Purdy
John Moreland
Jonah Tolchin
Jonny Two Bags
Josh Ritter
Joshua James
Lake Street Dive
Lee Ann Womack
Leo Welch
Lera Lynn
Marah Presents: Mountain Minstrelsy
Marty Stuart
Matthew Ryan
McCrary Sisters
Nathaniel Rateliff
New Country Rehab
Oh Susanna
Otis Gibbs
Parker Millsap
Paul Thorn
Pete Molinari
Quebe Sisters Band
Rhett Miller
Robbie Fulks
Robyn Hitchcock
Rodney Crowell
Ruthie Foster
Ryan Montbleau
Sam Outlaw
Sarah Jarosz
Sean Rowe
Shakey Graves
Suzy Bogguss
Todd Snider & Friends
Tom Freund
Tony Joe White
Trigger Hippy (feat. Jackie Greene, Joan Osbourne, Steve Gorman, Tom Bukovac & Nick Govrik)
Whiskey Shivers
Willie Watson
The 15th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference occurs September 17-21, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. The 13th annual Americana Honors & Awards Show on Sept. 17 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
“The Devil Is All Around” is the first cut from Shovels & Rope upcoming sophomore release “Swimmin’ Time” (Dualtone Music – August 26)
Courage and perseverance in the wake of hardships and the lures of earthly temptations are a staple in folk, country and gospel music. The video show the natural interplay between Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent as they blend their roughhewn harmonies and give that classic form a kick in the pants.
It’s a righteous spiritual for these unsure times.
The band will tour will start in August in their hometown in Raleigh, NC with stops scheduled in Atlanta, Nashville, Boston, Detroit, Chicago, New York with The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show and John Fullbright. Catch ’em if you can!
Shovels & Rope Tour
7/4 & 7/6 – Ottawa, ON – RBC Blues Ottawa Festival
7/5 – Toronto, ON – Toronto Urban Roots Fest
7/10-12 – Oakbank, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival
7/13 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #
7/26 – Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
8/20 – Raleigh, NC – Raleigh Amphitheater **
8/21 – Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheater **
8/22 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater **
8/23 – Nashville, TN – The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel **
8/27 – Louisville, KY – WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
9/18 – Wilmington, NC – Ziggy’s %
9/20 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater %
9/24 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
9/26 – Boston, MA – Royale %
9/27 – Boston, MA – Royale %
9/28 – Montreal, QB – Corona Theatre %
10/1 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall %
10/2 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre %
10/3 – Minneapolis, MN – First Ave %
10/5 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre
10/7 – Bloomington, IN – Bluebird %
10/8 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre %
10/10 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre %
# – with The Avett Brothers
** – with Old Crow Medicine Show
% – with John Fullbright
On his 1962 masterpiece “Modern Sounds in Country Music” Ray Charles’ broke cultural and racial boundaries, straddled styles, grew his audience and made the charts.
Sturgill Simpson’s newest release tips a hat to that release but “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” but it doesn’t break any boundaries that weren’t broke decade ago.
Simpson does fight against the current thinking that what’s old is bad. This is not new. Gram Parson’s did it in the 60’s and 70’s and the entire Americana genre is built on that premise. But just as Charles’ classic engaged country music as a lens to take a broader cultural view Simpson uses 70’s country gold as a review mirror to remind us what cultural beauty we’ve squandered.
Music City has always raced towards the shiniest object to gain market share and fill pockets. It’s charter is not historic preservation but cash accumulation. But that history is rich and fertile ground in the mind of Simpson, a mindful disciple that spans history and style with authenticity and a crooked smile.
That richness can be heard, and felt, in the songwriting.
The record opens as an old-timer, billed as “Dood” Fraley, announces the title album and then echoes off into infinite space.
Sunny psychedelic “Turtles All The Way Down” opens with a “Gentle On My Mind” feel with a twist “I’ve seen Jesus play with flames in a lake a fire that I was sanding in” “There’s a gateway in our mind that leads somewhere out there beyond this plane / Where reptile aliens made of light cut you open and pull out all your pain.”
“Tear in my Beer” this ain’t.
Drug use and mind expansion is not new in country music. Way before Willie and Snoop sang “Roll Me Up and Smoke When I Die.” and Kacey Musgraves , Ashley Monroe and Brandy Clark hitched a ride on the current weed bandwagon Kris Kristofferson was smoking his mind in “Sunday Morning Coming Down” (which Simpson references in “Life of Sin”) and Johnny Cash went on a murderous jag in “Cocaine Blues.”
But Simpson reflects a humanity in the mind alterations that grounds it and makes it relatable to even the straightest arrow.
Humanity is often dark, and “Life of Sin” takes a page from the book of Bakersfield and tells a leavin’ tale taht leads to drinkin’ and debauchery that raves like an prairie dust storm.
“Living the Dream” is a laid-back, Waylon-tinged cold reality lament of the futility of performing as you contemplate futility and “sit around and wait to die.”
“Long White Line” is a love song to the open road as a path away from hurt. “The Promise” is the most poignant track on the album. Simpson conjures loneliness and yearning in his softly, almost spoken, delivery as plucked guitar, drums, bass and stings build.
As you can guess this is not the feel good album of the summer. it engage human themes once prevalent in country music, misery. But not in th meost recent emo vairty of the emotion. this is misery as enlightenment. Angst as discovery.
“It Ain’t all Flowers” is a flashback kick in the teeth with “Are You Experienced”-style backtracking before giving way to a slow groover that slithers and seethes Southern sou.
Simpson’s voice is an expressive instrument in itself as if pleads and growls keening into hard-edge shapes and the occasional howl “oooHooooooo!” The band is on par with the level of excellence you’d expect from a Sturgill Simpson release. Kevin Black on bass guitar, Miles Miller on drums/percussion and backing vocal, Mike Webb on keyboards and
Dave Cobb plays. classical guitar/percussion. The stand out is Laur Joamets from Tartu, Estonia ranks up there with the finest interpreters of teh guitar I’ve had th honer of hearing.
Simpson doesn’t care to be country music’s savior but he’s willing to interpret it to make some damn fine new music an d fans are coming in droves. There’s a hunger for it.
Is “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music” groundbreaking? No.and it doesn’t need to be. It just remind us there still some gold in that there High Top Mountain
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from roots chanteuse Lera Lynn, but it’s been worth the wait.
This video for the title cut from her new ‘Lying In The Sun’ EP is set in a moody residence brandishing an acoustic guitar. monogrammed tooled leather strap and semi-retro dress and hair. she stands alone as the band is filmed playing part until the room fills. All the while Lynn delivers the song directly to us.
The song is a moody work flecked with shimmering harmony and guitar much like the light pouring through the window drapes. This song both yearns and burns.
The video was Directed by Bill Filipak with Stephen Shiveley as director of photography.
Attention all Outlaw Country fans. I mean the REAL deal type.
On August 5 the legendary Billy Joe Shaver will release Long in the Tooth on Lightning Rod Records. The album will be release just before his 75th birthday on August 16. Of the album Shaver says it’s “the best album I’ve ever done.â€
“Each song is different with different beats and different kinds of music,†he says. “I even have one rap song. The titles are all so catchy like ‘It’s Hard to Be an Outlaw’ and ‘The Git Go.’ Those are pretty hard to beat. Songwriting is gut wrenching, but if you dig down and write real honest you’ll find something real great. I believe everybody should write. It’s the cheapest psychiatrist there is and, God knows, I still need one.â€
“I’ve written a lot of great songs and I’m still writing great songs, but I felt neglected. I have been, actually. The reluctance to play old people’s music is as bad as it was to play young people’s music. I think it should level out where everyone can hear good art, but it seems like radio doesn’t play older people’s music. Man, it’s like throwing out the Mona Lisa. I don’t understand, but I’m just so proud of Long in the Tooth. This record will be a gigantic step.â€
As lauded a songwriter as Shaver is, he needed some convincing by none other than Todd Snider into making Long in the Tooth. “I didn’t think I had another hope in the world of doing another studio album,†Shaver says. “Then Todd Snider encouraged me to come up to Nashville and I listened. I knew if I didn’t come out with new songs, it wouldn’t be right. I’ve promised hundreds of critics that I would. So, I just buckled down and got the new songs together. Sure enough, it turned out great.â€
I’ve seen Shaver live a few times over the past few years and I’m here to tell you he’s lost none of his fire and wit.
Long in the Tooth. is produced by Ray Kennedy and Gary Nicholson, and features appearances by WIllie Nelson, Leon Russell, Tony Joe White, Shawn Camp, Jedd Hughes, Joel Guzman and others.
Rolling Stone premiered the Billy Joe Shaver and Willie Nelson duet, “Hard to Be an Outlaw” (hear it below) The song is both a nostalgic lament and a swipe at Music Row pop-country. “Some superstars now days get too far off the ground, They sing about the back roads that they’ve never even been down. They go and call it country but that’s not how it sounds. It’s enough to make renegade want to terrorize the town.”
It’s not much of a stretch to imagine the town these texans imagine terrorizing would be Nashville.
If anyone thought touring arenas with Kid Rock would dull Hellbound Glory’s country edge then “Small Township,” a boot-stomper from their upcoming “LV,” will render them mute.
It’s a stark take on the small-town life in hard times. Drugs, violence and desperation puts the trope often trotted out as a shortcut to wholesomeness on it’s ear.
Leroy Virgil of Hellbound Glory took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions.
Twang Nation: Tell me about the new EP “LV.â€
Leroy Virgil: I titled the album LV after my initials because most of it was recorded as a one-man band in the town I grew up in. I put a lot of myself onto the tape and I’ve never been more proud of any recording I’ve ever done. Call it my brand… my stamp of approval. The songs themselves are something like paragraphs in a story.
There is definitely a storyline. A beginning, a middle, and an end. The recording and the sounds that we got on tape are really something special and unique to this release. These songs, sonically, don’t sound like anything that I’ve released to date… but I won’t say I won’t revisit. I enjoyed the stripped down recording and Brian Smith captured something special in the mix.
TN: The record was recorded to analog tape at the Oceanside Recording Studio, but it’s being offered as a digital release only. Why? Are you trying to piss off Neil Young?
LV: The way we look at it, we’re taking advantage of the tools that are out there to get the new music in speakers as quickly as possible. This is the first release of a series… and I want them all to be special. That said; yeah, it’s a priority for me to release a physical copy, maybe vinyl eventually, but
it’s got to be special. It’s got to be right. We’ve got a busy year planned and a digital release right now makes the most sense and use of time. I’m putting the finishing touches on the second release
already.
TN: How have you changed as a songwriter through the history of Hellbound Glory?
LV: I don’t think I have actually. Not sure that a lot of folks know this but I’ve got about 3 or 4 albums worth of material ready to go. I just need the studio time! I guess I write what I write; sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, sometimes more serious songs. I just try not to push it and let the ideas develop.
TN: How have things changed for the band since playing arenas (opening for kid Rock)?
A: The work has become harder and we’ve made less money! It’s funny really, but in a good way. The Kid Rock tour gave me a wider perspective, a tour van, a booking agent and a chance to really focus on getting the Hellbound Glory business together.
TN: Many fans thought that tour would be your big break. Did it feel like it?
LV: Absolutely. Maybe not in the way some fans thought it might, but I never thought we’d do that tour and sell a million records in the first place. But yes, it was a big break and a very eye-opening experience that I learned a lot from. Not sure people understand this, but Kid Rock is a fan of independent country music, a music fan period, and I learned a lot just being out there. That eye-
opening experience… that IS the big break.
TN: What can fans look forward to on your upcoming tour?
LV: The tightest Hellbound Glory line-up I’ve ever had. Solid, Cohesive, Professional. A lot of new songs and I’m really focusing on my guitar playing. Call us a power trio. I’d like to add a steel player
one of these days… and have you ever heard Hellbound Glory with keys?
The nominees were announced today in Nashville by the Americana Music Association, and what a great list of talent it is!
Rosanne Cash, Robert Ellis and Jason Isbell each had three nominations in the same categories of Album of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.
Cash, Ellis and Isbell are nominated for Artist of the Year, along with Rodney Crowell. Cash’s “A Feather’s Not a Bird,†Ellis’ “Only Lies†and Isbell’s “Cover Me Up†along with Patty Griffin’s “Ohio†are up for Song of the Year.
Cash’s album “The River and the Thread†is up for Album of the Year against Ellis’ “The Lights From the Chemical Plant,†Isbell’s “Southeastern†and Sarah Jarosz’s “Build Me Up From Bones.â€
While watching the nomination event online on the Music City Roots Livestream Ellis chimed in from Houston As his name was called once, twice, three times he responded on the messaging thread with genuine surprise and humility “Wow!” “Thank you all!” he typed.
Rosanne Cash tweeted that she was “Thrilled!!” yo learn of her nominations.
The other Americana Honors & Awards categories, Lake Street Dive , the Avett Brothers, the Devil Makes Three, Hard Working Americans, and the Milk Carton Kids are up for Duo/Group of the Year. Hurray for the Riff Raff, Parker Millsap, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Sturgill Simpson and Valerie June are in the vying for Emerging Act of the Year; and Larry Campbell, Buddy Miller, Fats Kaplin and Bryan Sutton are the nominees for Instrumentalist of the Year.
The awards will be handed out Sept. 17 at the Ryman Auditorium as part of the Americana Music Festival and Conference, happening Sept. 17-21 in Nashville. Jim Lauderdale will host the awards show, and Miller will lead the house an all-star band.
2014 AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS NOMINEES
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Build Me Up From Bones, Sarah Jarosz
The Lights From The Chemical Plant, Robert Ellis
The River And The Thread, Rosanne Cash
Southeastern, Jason Isbell
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Rosanne Cash
Rodney Crowell
Robert Ellis
Jason Isbell
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Avett Brothers
The Devil Makes Three
Hard Working Americans
Lake Street Dive
The Milk Carton Kids
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Cover Me Up”, Jason Isbell
“A Feather’s Not A Bird”, Rosanne Cash
“Ohio”, Patty Griffin
“Only Lies”, Robert Ellis
EMERGING ACT OF THE YEAR
Hurray For The Riff Raff
Parker Millsap
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Sturgill Simpson
Valerie June
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Larry Campbell
Fats Kaplin
Buddy Miller
Bryan Sutton
It’s that time of the years kids. This Monday, May 12th at 2PM ET/11AM PT, the Franklin, TN-based trade and advocacy organization The Americana Music Association will announce the nominees for the 2014 Americana Honors & Awards ceremony.
The hour-long program will be hosted by singer/songwriter and SiriusXM “Apron Strings” host Elizabeth Cook. The event wo;; feature performances from legends and long-time AMA boosters Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller. Also performing are some of the exciting new bloods, Hurray For The Riff Raff and Parker Millsap.
The event will be broadcast live from the SiriusXM Music City Theatre in downtown Nashville and broadcast live on SiriusXM Outlaw Country and streamed by Music City Roots.
Americana Music Association honors distinguished members of the music community with six member voted annual awards Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards, which will be announced leading up to the event.
The nominees will be announced for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year.
The winners of each category will be announced during the Americana Honors and Awards show on September 17, 2014 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. as part of the Americana Music Festival and Conference.
