Portland Oregon’s self-described “junkbox blues duo” has a new song “Don’t Come Down” that offers some of the heat and ramshackle alchemy of Henry Christian (Guitar) and John Johnson (percussion), but with this cut there’s more.
From the guitar loop running throughout and the reverbed, lonesome vocals, there’s a beautiful menace and a work of a deft subtlety pointing to a richness and bravery in flexing their musical brawn.
“Don’t Come Down” is from Hillstomp’s upcoming, 4th full-length release “Portland, Ore” out April 15. The album is their first on Fluff and Gravy Records and features 10 new tracks and is mixed by Chet Lyster of Eels, and produced in conjunction with Kevin Blackwell of Sassparilla.
The record will be available on CD and LP, and can be pre-ordered here.
After 8 all-too-brief spellbinding and perplexingly metaphysical episodes the first season of HBO’s True Detective has finally reached its conclusion. The ending was such a hit that the millions hitting HBO GO service crashed the system for much of the show.
It’s no wonder it’s a hit.
The spirit of the show is reflected in the taunt writing of creator Nic Pizzolatto. Then there’s the stellar performances by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as the dysfunctional Det. Rustin Spencer “Rust” Cohle and Det. Martin Eric “Marty” Hart bound together to catch a dark killer.
Another star of the series was the music selection that provided atmosphere and texture in a way that you hardly realized you were hearing songs by Wu-Tang Clan , Bob Dylan and Austin’s 13th Floor Elevators.
The soundtrack also included a great selection of Americana, country, gospel, and blues. John Lee Hooker and Slim Harpo sit aside Steve Earle , Buddy Miller , Lucinda Williams and Father John Misty.
And then there’s that stunning opening segment backed by The Handsome Family excellent performance of the T Bone Burnett-penned “Far From Any Road.” (below)
I reached out on twitter to ask folks what bands they most would like to hear on True Detective season two. Some of the choices were obvious, some surprising. All great and would fit nicely.
If Nic Pizzolatto stops by (‘sup Nic) I hope he considers some these great artists and allows them to set a tone and allow the greater exposure.
Enjoy and leave you choices in the comments.
Lincoln Durham is a consummate stage performer and brings grit, soul and blood to his craft. Perfect for end credits or a bar fight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5QGl8PgUX8
Elephant Revival’s warm and inviting sound could lull in a audience in just before a particularly gruesome bit of work.
The Ben Miller Band kicked my butt in Nashville and their performance has stuck with me. Bar scene or panning a rugged landscape.
Valerie June. Who am I kidding. Put Valerie June in any segment and she’ll steal the scene.
Lee Harvey Osmond is a master of atmosphere. He’d fit right into a scene needing a slow simmer. Love scene, hands down.
Lindi Ortega is as good as it gets. Her sound is a great fit for an opening credits or as a a pan of the killers quarters.
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club oozes chaos and menace. Add to something violent.
16 Horsepower sounds as old as the hills and as deep as a grave. Opening credits or main character reflective moment.
Hiss Golden Messenger’s darkness is always bolstered by a joyful reverence. Perfect for a moment of hoe or resolution.
Rachel Brooke was born to back a show like True Detective. Her sound is of the ages and has a playful darkness and perfect for a late-night rainy drive away from something unspeakable.
Twang nation is proud to feature the new video by Brooklyn/Queens-based band The Dust Engineers. The stylized, noir-inspired video for their song “Lead [Pb]” captures adeptly the song’s lush atmosphere leading toward either a double cross or sweet comeuppance.
The band’s sound is reminiscent of The Red House Painters, Tarnation or Trinity Session-era Cowboy Junkies. Shimmery strummed and yearning slide electric guitars swirl around lead vocalist Sara M’s soft, siren phrasing. It’s is like a high-noon summer sun dappling through a glass of good bourbon,
When asked about the song’s title principle songwriter Erik Rosenberg replies:
“The atomic symbol “Pb” is included in the song title to clarify that “Lead” describes the heavy metal, especially its weight, its toxicity, and its color. These qualities reflect the main concept of the song: losing your sense of self to to the depths of an unhealthy relationship, a relationship that plagues you but simultaneously defines you.”You can hear that the first lyric is “Lead. Lead on my back I’m sated. Go on go on.”
The song sounds lighter than air, “He” than “Pb,” though when connected to the video it does get pretty heavy.
Merle Haggard and the Strangers’ original release of the of “Okie From Muskogee” was December of 1969. The album went on to win the Academy of Country Music award for Album of the Year and Single of the Year for the Roy Edward Burris co-written ode to small town pride, “Okie from Muskogee.” The album was recorded live in Muskogee, Oklahoma and has been re-released in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2005, and 2006.
You can add 2014 to that list.
On March 25th Capital Nashville will reissue a special 45th anniversary package. The rerelease has been Remastered from the original analog tapes and will include “The Fightin’ Side Of Me,†a live Philadelphia recording that has never been released before on CD or digitally
Hear an up-tempo live version of Haggard’s ‘I Take a Lot of Pride In What I Am’ below.
Track List:
Disc 1
Okie From Muskogee
Recorded Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma 1969
1. Introduction by Carlton Haney
2. Mama Tried
3. No Hard Times
4. Silver Wings
5. Merle Receives Key To Muskogee
6. Mere’s Introduction to Medley
Medley:
7. Swinging Doors
8. I’m A Lonesome Fugitive
9. Sing Me Back Home
10. Branded Man
11. In The Arms Of Love
12. Workin’ Man Blues
13. Merle’s Introduction To “Hobo Billâ€
14. Hobo Bill’s Last Ride
15. Billy Overcame His Size
16. If I Had Left It Up To You
17. White Line Fever
18. Blue Rock
19. Introduction To “Okie From Muskogeeâ€
20. Okie From Muskogee
Disc 2
The Fightin’ Side Of Me
Recorded Live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1970
1. Opening Theme: Hammin’ It Up
2. I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
3. Corrine Corrina
4. Every Fool Has A Rainbow
5. T.B. Blues
6. When Did Right Become So Wrong
7. Philadelphia Lawyer
8. Stealin’ Corn
9. Harold’s Super Service
Medley:
10. Devil Woman
11. I’m Movin’ On
12. Folsom Prison Blues
13. Jackson
14. Orange Blossom Special
15. Love’s Gonna Live Here
16. Today I Started Loving You Again
17. Okie From Muskogee
18. The Fightin’ Side Of Me
Beck Hansen was at his Cali-folk best on last night on SNL. Backed by John Misty’s Josh and Tillman Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Beck’s reverent rendition of “Blue Moon” and orchestral drenched “Wave,” both from his recent masterpiece “Morning Phase,” proves again that when the kitsch is stripped away Beck is a master song craftsman that fits comfortably in the Americana fold.
Alabama Shakes has announced a headlining tour of the U.S. coming this spring. The run will kick off with a two-night stand at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC (April 25 and 26).
A ticket pre-sale begins this Friday, February 28, at 12:00 PM local time. Tickets go on sale to the public on this Saturday, March 1, for all dates except Washington, DC, where tickets will go on sale Thursday, March 6. The band will also perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the Suburbia Festival, the Beale Street Music Festival and the Shaky Knees Fest. See below for itinerary or visit www.alabamashakes.com.
The Athens, AL-based band – comprising vocalist/guitarist Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, drummer Steve Johnson and bassist Zac Cockrell – has been in the studio working on a new album. Further details will be announced soon.
Alabama Shakes – Upcoming Tour Dates
4/25 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires Fsupporting
4/26 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club- Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
4/28 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel – Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
4/29 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel -Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires supporting
5/2-4 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
5/3-4 – Plano, TX @ Suburbia Festival
5/4 – Memphis, TN @ Beale Street Music Festival
5/7 – Northfield, OH @ Hard Rock Live – The Deslondes supporting
5/8 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE – The Deslondes supporting
5/9 – Richmond, VA @ The National – The Deslondes supporting
5/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Fest
Sturgill Simpson slows things down a but for “Living The Dream” his first cut released from his upcoming sophomore album, “Metamodern Sounds In Country Music.” The album will be released May 13th.
It’s good to hear he’s still channeling Waylon. Remaining ornery with a touch of gallows humor he sings “I don’t have to do a goddamn thing, but sit around and wait to die” and “That old man upstairs wears a crooked smile, staring down at the chaos he’s created.”
Buy all os not grim. Simpson says about the album – “Myriad worldly offerings – religion, drugs and more – all claim to be the omnipotent universal truth, but in my experience, love is the only certainty. That’s what this record is about.”
Simpson will perform at several SXSW showcases and, in April, will be featured on Communion’s Club Nights Series.
Beck’s chameleon-like career has rivaled that of the Thin White Duke himself. Like Bowie, Beck has both trailed and established trends so tightly that it’s hard to tell which proceeds or which follows his maneuvers.
Beck has tackled soul, funk and might have started Emo with “Loser.†But the best Beck is the dour-folk Beck.
Said to be a companion to 2002’s heart-crushing “Sea Change” “Morning Phase” has a slightly more comfortable feel. More excepting, fateful. Like Beck seems more at home with being uncomfortable.
“Morning Phase” is Beck’s “Pink Moon.” On “Heart Like A Drum” he sings “The Heart is a Drum / Keeping Time With Everyone.” and “Beat Beat beat / It’s Beating Me Down.”
The whole album has a pop-menace that sound like it sprang from the mind of Brian Wilson.
When Beck strips away he beat-box schtick here’s is genuine talent here. Dare I say genius. Yes, I think I will.
A more complete review will come soon. Just wanted to share this with you.
Just as there could have been no Tanya Tucker without a Dolly Parton I believe the current wave of female upstarts, like this year’s Best Country Album Grammy-winner Kacey Musgraves, owe a debt of tanks to Miranda Lambert.
I’m a fan.
Lambert is the only contemporary country music artists to be featured on the bible of alt.country No Depression, Lambert often chooses to cover songs by greats like Gillian Welch, Fred Eaglesmith. An she often channels the greats – Haggard, Loretta – in her own songs. And when her songs hew a little too close to an an influence, like when it was brought to her attention that her her hit song “Kerosene” closely resembled her hero Steve Earle’s 1996 comeback single “I Feel Alright” she retroactively gave Steve Earle writing credit for the song, owning up to a simple case of unintentional plagiarism.
As they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, just as long as you pay up. Right Dierks Bentley?
Lambert’s newest song she wrote with Nicolle Galyon, a contestant from second season of The Voice. and Natalie Hemby who has written for Lee Ann Womack, Eli Young Band and many others.
The mid-tempo cut has Miranda lamenting about the good old days. This might seems strange corning from a 30 year-old but “Ran” pulls it off by trading in a country music standard trope of nostalgia without cloying sentimentality.
Lambert drew on her personal experiences to co-write “Automatic,” which details early memories like using pay phones, recording country countdowns on cassettes and driving to Dallas to buy an Easter dress. She wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Natalie Hemby.
“Automatic’ is a song about the good life,” Lambert said. “It’s about slowing down, taking a breath and remembering what it’s like to live life a little more simply. It’s not about going back, but reminiscing about what it was like to hang laundry on the line and wait for it to dry and my dad teaching me how to drive my ’55 Chevy that I still have but don’t drive nearly enough.”
The song’s topic also ethos a current wave in America to move back to a small, craft-based culture and economy. I enjoyed listening to it over and over while enjoying a locally brewed beer.
“Automatic,” is a track from a new as-yet untitled album expected later this year.
Dallas’s own Old 97’s will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year with the release of their ATO Records debit Most Messed Up on April 29.
Sporting an excellent cover of a flaming Saguaro and recorded in Austin with producer Salim Nourallah, features guest appearances from Tommy Stinson from The Replacements and Jon Rauhouse steel & Hawaiian guitar player from Neko Case’s band.
The band have released the first single from the album, “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive” a jaunty ditty giving a whimsical history of the band and showcasing Rhett Miller’s wordplay.
“We’ve been in nightclubs and we’ve been in bars, Honky-tonks and theaters from Memphis to Mars.”
You can stream it over at EW.com and check out the cover art and tracklist below.
Rhett Miller has some solo dates this month and next. Those tour dates are listed below. Old 97’s 2014 tour dates will soon be announced.
Old ’97s – ‘Most Messed Up’ tracklist:
1. “Longer Than You’ve Been Alive”
2. “Give It Time”
3. “Let’s Get Drunk & Get It On”
4. “This Is The Ballad”
5. “Wheels Off”
6. “Nashville”
7. “Wasted”
8. “Guadalajara”
9. “The Disconnect”
10. “The Ex Of All You See”
11. “Intervention”
12. “Most Messed Up”
Rhett Miller – 2014 Tour Dates
Feb 04 Live Oak Fort Worth, TX
Feb 05 Sam’s Burger Joint San Antonio, TX
Feb 06 Continental Club Austin, TX
Feb 07 McGonigel’s Mucky Duck Houston, TX
Feb 07 McGonigel’s Mucky Duck Houston, TX
Feb 27 World Cafe Live Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA
Feb 28 Johnny D’s Somerville, MA
Mar 03 City Winery New York, NY
Mar 26 Off Broadway St Louis, MO
Mar 28 Radio Radio Indianapolis, IN
Apr 02 3rd and Lindsley Nashville, TN
Apr 03 Eddie’s Attic Decatur, GA
Apr 04 The Southern Charlottesville, VA
Apr 05 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, NC
Apr 24 South on Main Little Rock, AR
