Category Archives: Americana

Watch Out! David Mayfield Parade – “Human Cannonball” [VIDEO]

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Good Man Down

Some musicians sound like they are moving Americana music, into new directions, and David Mayfield is one of them. Mayfield paid his dues playing bass for his family’s bluegrass band, alongside his younger sister, the singer/songwriter, Jessica Lea Mayfield. He handled bass on her debut record, Blasphemy So Heartfelt and performed same in her touring band.

Mayfield was also been a “gun-for-hire” for pick-up gigs in the tourist filled honky-tonks on Nashville’s lower Broadway and was also the lead guitarist and contributing songwriter for roots band Cadillac Sky, currently on indefinite hiatus.

He has also toured with The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Songs and Willie Nelson.

Mayfield’s self-titled debut was pretty much unremarkable, straight-ahead bluegrass fair. His upcoming Kickstarter funded release Good Man Down things get a bit more daring.

Mayfield said in a recent press release. “I feel like this record is more mature. Now that I’ve been touring so much I have had the chance to try new songs live and see how they are accepted, and to construct an album that is more of a cohesive thought.”

On the song Human Cannonball (below) Mayfield’s high-tenor meshes well with the melancholy, love-lost theme and the bluegrass influenced sound that are steeped in country music tradition. But the arrangement, and soaring chorus, shifts the song into the pop-folk territory of R.E.M, the Avetts and Mumford and Co.

It speaks well of that maturity Mayfield spoke of that he doesn’t get trapped in the saccharine mechanizations of the last two and comes closer to the best of the former.

Good Man Down is will be released April 1 on Beautywood Records.

Elizabeth Cook on the Late Show with Georgia Southern University Marching Band

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Elixabeth Cook on Letterman 3-14-13Elizabeth Cook stopped by the Late Show for her third visit to explain the Australian country music scene to David Letterman. Just what makes the Best Bush Ballad!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOTJ5q53R6A

Cook also performed Tear This Building Down from her current EP Gospel Plow. She was joined by the Georgia Southern University “Southern Pride marching band. Cook is a 1996 graduate of Georgia Southern with dual degrees in Accounting and Computer Information Systems.

Ryan Adams to Preview New Album in Live , Full-Band , Performance

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RyanAdams2Consequence of Sound reports that Ryan Adams has announced his first show backed by a full band since The Cardinals split up in 2009. The show will take place March 19th at London’s Royal Albert Hall and is part of the Noel Gallagher-curated Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concert series.

COS has done some on-line sleuthing and posts “…the Royal Albert Hall ticketing site describes Adams’ “The show will feature the debut of new songs from his as-yet-untitled new album due for release in the autumn alongside classics from his extensive catalogue.”

So, if the program’s details of “new songs” and “new album” correct there appears to be a new album on the horizon. The record reportedly has Adams reuniting with 2011′s Ashes & Fire producer/legend Glyn Johns (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Clash), and COS reports that the band accompanying him on March 19th is expected to be the same as in the studio.
Check Adams’ recent appearance on Conan, sporting Buck Owen’s red, white and blue acoustic guitar, below.

Listen up! Amanda Shires Single Premier – “Bulletproof”

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amanda shires

With her newly released single, Bulletproof, Amanda Shires continues to explore a variety of musical influences – folk, blues and jazz -she began in her last release “Carrying Lightening.”

The song sets Shires warm-honey vibrato and fine fiddling against a Tom Waits-like junkyard orchestral accompaniment. The song details potential supernatural impenetrability against a litany of physical and emotional armaments. Like a whimsical protective talisman set to a cha-cha beat

No word on an upcoming album title or release date came with the press release. but when I know , you’ll know

Bulletproof was released to coincide with Shires showcases at South-By-Southwest. Catch her at one of the performances below:

THURS MARCH 14 @ 11 PM
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Historic Sanctuary
hosted by Utne and Thirty Tigers
official SXSW showcase!

FRI MARCH 15 @ 7 PM
Wyndam Garden Hotel
on the patio @ the bar area!
3401 IH 35 Austin, TX 78741
free! open to the public!!

SAT MARCH 16th 6 PM
Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
700 San Jacinto & 8th Street
lobby lounge located @ the atrium!
free! open to the public!!

Alabama Shakes Announce Spring/Summer dates – Debut Album Boys & Girls Is RIAA Certified Gold

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alabama shakes SNLAlabama Shakes is riding a wave of buzz from their GRAMMY Awards nominations, the band’s appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and “Austin City Limits,” and their debut album, Boys & Girls (ATO Records) and selling 100,000 copies and being certified RIAA Gold (just proves people are still willing to buy good music.)

Alabama Shakes has just announced Spring/Summer tour dates that include South America, Canada and Europe. The roots/rock band will kick off a North American headline tour on June 18 at LC Pavilion Outdoors in Columbus, OH. The outing will include two nights at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium (July 17 & 18).

For further details, visit www.alabamashakes.com.

Upcoming Tour Dates

March
12 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom – SOLD OUT – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
13 – Austin, TX @ Rodeo Austin – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
15 – New Orleans, LA @ The Sugar Mill – SOLD OUT – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
16 – Jackson, MS @ Hal + Mal’s Street Dance – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
27 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Jose Cuervo Salon
30 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Lollapalooza Brazil
31 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Cine Joia

April
1 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil @ Circo Voador
3 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Quilmes Rock 2013
6 – Santiago, Chile @ Lollapalooza Chile

May
10 – Napa, CA @ Bottle Rocket Music Festival

June
1 – Houston, TX @ Free Press Festival
2 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros SOLD OUT
7 – Birmingham, AL @ Sloss Furnace – SOLD OUT
8 – Birmingham, AL @ Sloss Furnace – SOLD OUT
18 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion – Outdoors
19 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
20 – Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach
22 – Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
23 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
30 – London, UK @ Olympic Park/Hard Rock Calling w/Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

July
13 – Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
14 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
15 – Albuquerque, NM @ Popejoy Hall-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
19 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Theater-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
21 – Alta, WY @ Targhee Festival
23 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
25 – Calgary, AB @ Calgary Folk Music Festival
26 – Edmonton, AB @ Interstellar Rodeo
28 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze Outdoor Plaza

August
7 – Oslo, Norway @ OYA Festival
8 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Way Out West
9 – Skanderborg, Denmark @ Skanderborg Festival
10 – Haldern, Germany @ Haldern Festival
13 – Barcelona, Spain @ Apollo
14 – Porto, Portugal @ Paredes Da Coura
18 – Hallendoorn, Holland @ Lowlands Festival

September
7 – Guthrie, OK @ Gentlemen of the Road w/Mumford & Sons – SOLD OUT

The Sin City Social Club Annual SXSW 2013 Bash

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SC_SXSW-_2

Twang Nation is proud to announce sponsorship of The Sin City Social Club Annual Bash, the premier South-By-Southwest roots and Americana music showcase.

Now celebrating it’s 11th Anniversary, Sin City Social Club knows how to put on a party. This is one of thier best line ups and you won’t want to miss it! And make sure to try the great food at Maria’s Taco Xpress

The Sin City Social Club Annual Bash
Maria’s Taco Xpress in Austin, Texas
Fri, March 15, 12pm – 9pm
Free! No badges or wrist bands needed. All ages.

Lineup:

12:00 * The Mercy Brothers (S. Louisiana)
12:40 * So Long Problems (Austin)
1:20 * Rod Melancon (Los Angeles)
2:00 * Chelle Rose (Nashville)
2:40 * Israel Nash Gripka (Austin)
3:20 * Deadman (Austin)
3:45 * Deadstring Brothers (Detroit)
4:25 * Shurman (Austin)
5:05 * Out of Our Tree (Feat. Tim Easton & Megan Palmer)
5:45 * Elijah Ford & The Bloom (Austin)
6:20 * Mike Stinson (Houston)
6:55 * Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils (Seattle)
7:40 * Jesse Dayton (Austin)
8:30 * Two Hoots & A Holler (Austin)

Brought to you by: Sin City Social Club * Rootsy Records * Twang Nation * Chris Kro Art Design * Lone Star Beer * Lone Star Music * Mojave Audio * Little Brother Music * Maria’s Taco Xpress

Other great SXSW Americana showcases:

Official SXSW Little Brother Showcase Tuesday, March 12 – 8:00pm until 2:00am

Guitartown/Conqueroo Block Party Kickoff – Wednesday, March 13 – 11:00am until 9:00pm

Grand Ole Austin SXSW Showcase – Thursday, March 14 – 11:00am until 9:00pm

Hillgrass Bluebilly Records presents: X-SXSW 6 Unofficial Showcase – Open to the Public – $10 Fri. 03/15 | 6:00PM

Happy Birthday Townes Van Zandt

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townesThe first time I heard the name Townes Van Zandt my Uncle Tony mentioned playing a gig with him at a private party on the Tohajiilee Indian Reservationa in New Mexico. He described how he would watch him from the side of the stage and captivate them with his lyricism and picking style cribbed from fellow Texas Lightin’ Hopkins and charm them with his wit. he also described drinking so many Bloody Mary’s with Townes at an airport bar that they missed their flight out of there.

in many ways Townes Van Zadnt and Gram Parsons were brothers of the faith. Both men where born to families of means and walked away from an easy life of leisure to forge an uneasy path toward their musical vision. Greatness was attained but, like Icarus, the beckoning sun of substance abuse and the open road took them both too soon leaving a legacy felt to this day.

One of my favorite Townes stories is when he met Bob Dylan. Dylan was reportedly a “big fan” of Townes and claimed to have all of his records; Van Zandt admired Dylan’s songs, but didn’t care for his celebrity. The two first met during a chance encounter outside a costume shop in the South Congress district of Austin, Texas, on June 21, 1986. According to Johnny Guess, Dylan later arranged another meeting with the songwriter. 6th street in Austin was shut down due to Dylan being in town; Van Zandt drove his motor home to the cordoned-off area, after which Dylan boarded the vehicle and requested to hear him play several songs. During this time Townes reportedly turned down a songwriting invitation by Dylan.

I’m sure Townes is looking down and wondering what all the damn fuss is about. Bless him.

Patty Griffin to Release New Album, “American Kid,” on May 7th

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AmericankidSinger/songwriter and 3 Girls & Their Buddy , Band of Joy band member, Patty Griffin will release a new album of original material titled American Kid on May 7 through New West Records.

The follow up to 2007’s Children Running Through was written to honor her father, whose exceptional life included working as a high school science teacher, fighting in World War II, raising seven children and living in a Trappist Monastery.

This will be the first album of Griffin’s that’s completely rooted in the Americana sound. “It was recorded in Memphis,” Griffin said. “Part of the reason was the chance to get away from what I’d been doing.”

The album includes appearances from the North Mississippi Allstars’ guitarist Luther Dickinson and drummer Cody Dickinson, and was co-produced by Craig Ross.

You can take a look at American Kid’s track list below.

1 – Go Wherever You Want To Go
2 – Don’t Let Me Die In Florida
3 – Ohio
4 – Wild Old Dog (See video below)
5 – Mom & Dad’s Waltz
6 – Faithful Son
7 – Highway Son
8 – That Kind of Lonely
9 – Irish Boy
10 – Get Ready Marie
11 – Not A Bad Man
12 – Gonna Miss You When You’re Gone

Muscle Shoals Celebration – Percy Sledge, Brittany Howard and John Paul White and More

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Muscle Shoals

An all-Star Concert in support of the film “Muscle Shoals” was held on February 27th, 2013 at the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Conference Center.

On hand was John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Candi Staton, Delbert McClinton, Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes), Christine Ohlman (Saturday Night Live Band), Donna Jean Godchaux (Grateful Dead) and many other legendary Muscle Shoals Musicians joined together to celebrate the great music that came from the area and specifically from Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

Here’s some video of the event. Special thanks to @johnamacie for bringing the White videos to my attention.

Learn more about muscle Shoals the movie, dates and locations here.

Percy Sledge – Dark End of the Street

“Wild Horses” Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section

John Paul White – “Outfit” – Drive-By Trucker’s

John Paul White “No One Will Ever Love You”

John Paul performing “I’ll Be There” co-written by him and The SteelDrivers –

Album Review – Son Volt: Honky Tonk [Rounder Records]

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son volt honky tonk

From the ashes of one of the pivotal harbingers of the late 80’s alt.country movement, Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar’s Son Volt has continued to carry the torch of classic country and rock music for seven albums now. Each album blending, progressing, and sometime faltering, but always staying true to course. This time around, Farrar seems content to ease off of the rock influence and focus in classic country nuance. Picking up the pedal steel in his spare time he’s uses ot deftly spanning 11 songs that display economy (clocking in at just over 36 minutes) as well as expansiveness in influence.

This incarnation of Son Volt appears well suited to provide the Honky Tonk of the album title and theme. The band sets a welcome tone with the 3/4 Waltz of “Hearts and Minds.” Brick Walls is straight from the Lefty Frizzell book of song-craft and heartache. The nightlife lament of “Wild Side” is Farrar’s subtler and more tender take on a theme Hank Thompson tackled with “Wild Side Of Life.”

“Every road is a story to tell, of dreams that have soared and dreams that have fell.” starts off the lovely Celtic-tinged “Down the Highway” that blends the road with life, or perhaps it’s all just life on the road. “Bakersfield” flirts with jukebox fair to compel a dust-bowl migrant to drop a dime to hear it. Languidly paced atmospheric and shimmery electric guitars makes Angel of the Blues’ and “Shine On” gives the album a contemporary conclusion.

Honky Tonk doesn’t slap you in the face with some aural revelation. it’s not a furious album or one trying to prove itself. It lays it out and really couldn’t care what the world thinks. That’s the beauty in it. There is no overt commercial aspirations, just love of music and a celebration of it’s timeless nature. Farrar has always been true to his vision never chasing stylistic trends to broaden his demographic appeal. He’s cultivated and harvesting country music gold throughout his career and with the excellent Honky Tonk, he sounds right at home.

Official Site | Buy

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