Category Archives: News Round Up

Watch Out! Sarah Jarosz Live at the Troubadour EP – Special Record Store Day Exclusive [VIDEO]

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Sarah Jarosz

in honor of Record Store Day 2013 Austin native and folk singer/songwriter Sarah Jarosz is offering a new live release, Live at the Troubadour. The five song EP was was recorded the famed Los Angeles venue and features longtime collaborators Nathanial Smith (cello) and Alex Hargreaves (violin.)

Four live performance videos, shot by videographer Alex Chaloff, beautifully capturing the grace Jarosz of her live shows were created especially for the release. These were originally featured on The Bluegrass Situation, CMT Edge, Bluegrass Nation and RecordStoreDay.com.

Currently wrapping up her senior year at the New England Conservatory of Music, Jarosz will spend her summer making appearances at major festivals including Del Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, High Sierra, Forecastle, Ossipee Valley and Newport Folk Festival.

LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR track listing
1. Tell Me True
2. Kathy’s Song
3. Mansinneedof
4. Shankill Butchers
5. Broussard’s Lament

Look for Sarah Jarosz new Sugar Hill release is coming this fall.

Sarah Jarosz Tour Dates
2013-4-19 Burlington, VT – Flynn PAC – with John Prine
2013-4-20 Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall – with John Prine
2013-5-03 Austin, TX – AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
2013-5-23 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
2013-5-25 Cumberland, MD – Del Fest
2013-6-12 The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Coffee Shop
2013-6-13 Wimberley, TX – Blue Rock Artist Ranch – Blue Rock Studio
2013-6-14 Dallas, TX – Poor David’s Pub
2013-6-15 Santa Fe, NM – The Downs of Santa Fe – with Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris
2013-6-16 Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
2013-6-18 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
2013-6-21 Telluride, CO – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
2013-6-22 Telluride, CO – Michael D. Palm Theatre
2013-7-06 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-07 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-13 Louisville, KY – Forecastle Festival
2013-7-25 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
2013-7-26 Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival
2013-7-27 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
2013-7-28 Ogunquit, ME – Jonathan’s Restaurant
2013-8-10 Portland, ON – Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
2013-8-11 Seattle, WA – Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheatre

Slaid Cleaves’ New Release ‘Still Fighting The War’ to Benefit Returning Soldiers

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Slaid Cleaves' New Album Still Fighting The War

Slaid Cleaves’ new song, Still Fighting the War, was inspired in part by Denver Post photographer Craig F. Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo essay about a soldier trying to reconnect with civilian life as he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. Cleaves said he began the song before seeing Walker’s work, but “when I came across the photo essay, it helped me feel closer to the experience of what a vet goes through when he comes home. I don’t have anybody in my family who served, but I used that photo essay to find out what it was like for those people.”

Still Fighting the War, co-written by Ron Coy and featuring the legendary Jimmy LaFave on harmony, is the title song for the acclaimed Texas singer/songwriter’s forthcoming album. Cleaves tells USA Today “As I was putting together all these songs that I had recorded, this song was one of the strongest, and I saw a little bit of a theme,” Cleaves says. “They’re songs about perseverance and holding your head up through hard times, so I decided to use it as the title.”

Cleaves has is using the song as a vehicle to help raise money for Operation Homefront, an organization that provides emergency financial relief for service members and their families.

“Operation Homefront raises funds for people, whether they’re in need of car repair, help with their rent or help getting to their job,” Cleaves says. “It’s a very personal, easy-to-understand way to help people.

“I had a song that speaks to an issue of the day, and I’m thrilled when my songs connect with people. That’s the main reason I write songs. But with this one, I could go a step further and do some good with it, use it to get more attention to this cause.”

Head to Cleaves’ website and donate a minimum of 99 cents for the single. 100% of proceeds from the download will go to Operation Homefront.

Still Fighting the War, produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Lloyd Maines and Mark Hallman, is out June 18 on Music Road Records.

Visit Operation Homefront for more information.

Watch Out! Levon Helm Covers Randy Newman’s “Kingfish” [VIDEO]

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Levon Helm not in it for my health

RollinStone.com posted this great clip from Ain’t in It for My Health</em> , Jacob Hatley’s documentary on the musical legend.

The film will premiere in upstate New York on April 19th, near his famous barn where his rambles are held to this day. The opening will occur exactly one year after his passing,

The film show’s Hatley’s intimate access to Helm and follows his comeback with the Grammy-winning Dirt Farmer album. Below is a clip from the film showing Helm performing acoustic rendition of Randy Newman’s “Kingfish” his voice raspy as a result of throat cancer treatment.

From RollingStone.com “So this clip was one of the first things we shot,” says Hatley. “We were in between takes on a music video for the Dirt Farmer record and had rented out this dilapidated motel for the shoot. We were all sick of shooting this lip synched, choreographed video and wanted to hear some real music, so Levon and Little Sammy Davis went in to one of the rooms and started playing. They did about eight songs, just for the crew. There was a heart shaped jacuzzi just off frame. The motel has since burned to the ground.”

Record Store Day – “Buddy & Jim” Vinyl Contest

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buddy_and_jim_12

Step right up folks for a special Record Store day contest featuring New West recording artists Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale.

One lucky ,random, winner will receive one Record Store Day exclusive copy of Buddy Miller & Lauderdale new, acclaimed release “Buddy & Jim” on gloriously sonic 180 g 12″ Vinyl. This special release is limited to 1000 and each one is hand numbered. This particular baby is number 727.

Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale are two of the pioneers of Americana. Their solo recordings, songwriting, studio session work and live performances (as front men and musical directors) have made them treasures of the roots and country music scene. In an unexpected moment of inspiration, the two have collaborated to make a true duets record, trading licks and verses for one of the most inspired and fun albums of 2012.

Here’s how to enter:
– On Record Store (4/20) Day buy any limited edition release (in case you’re wondering what’s available I’ve listed some great Americana and roots releases) and take an Instagram pick of your new treasure.
– use your twitter account and tweeet us a pic of your goodies with the hashtag #RSDTwang

That’s it. You’ll be entered to win this limited edition beauty.

Winner needs to be located in the United States and will be picked at random, Sunday, April 22nd, 12PM PST. Good luck!

1 I Lost My Job Of Loving You
2 The Train That Carried My Gal From Town
3 That’s Not Even Why I Love You
4 South In New Orleans
5 It Hurts Me
6 Vampire Girl
7 Forever And A Day
8 Lonely One In This Town
9 Looking For A Heartache
10 I Want To Do Everything For You
11 The Wobble

Outside Lands Announces Lineup – Willie Nelson, Dawes, Camper Van Beethoven, The Lone Bellow To Perform

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outside-lands-2013Outside Lands has revealed the lineup for this year’s festival, taking place place August 9th-11th in my back yard at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.

Notable country and roots artists performing are Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses, Camper Van Beethoven, The Head and The Heart, The Mother Hips, Dawes, Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Easy Leaves and The Lone Bellow.

Also topping the bill is Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Advanced three-day and VIP tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 18th at Noon PDT through the festival’s website.

Country Music Is Not Dead

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waylon

If you were one of the 15.4 million viewers of last Sunday’s 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards show you might have been, like me, wondering “When’s the country going to start?” I’ve never been branded a purists , but I prefer my country on the Lefty Frizzell / Buck Owens / Willie Nelson side of the fence rather than the Fleetwood Mac / Jack Johnson/ Def Leppard style that’s in vogue right now

Music City continues to chase the money by burying it’s legacy as it has since nearly it’s start. Fortunately for us that honor songs over celebrity we have a safe haven, Americana music. Below are a few performers that are keeping heartfelt and real. Post your suggestions in the comments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJt3oHYmKcQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcJml72K1HQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrqdhA1_C5U

Watch Out! Amy Speace- “The Sea and the Shore” (featuring John Fullbright) [VIDEO]

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John Fullbright, Amy Speace

Below if the video for Amy Speace’s new music video for “The Sea & The Shore,” featuring a duet with John Fullbright. Speace and and co-wrtiter Robby Hecht’s lyrics narrate the story of a failing relationship, acted out by two marionettes courtesy of the Nashville Puppet Theater. The song can be found on Speace’s forthcoming How To Sleep In A Stormy Boat (April 16.)

“I will forever be grateful to my good friend John Fullbright for braving the 15 degree weather with me on that spring morning in Nashville near Radnor Lake, the closest we could get to the sea on an indie budget,” says Speace. “Also, I was so happy to discover the Nashville Puppet Theater in putting together this video. Once we found the blue-eyed puppet we knew we had our leading man.” (from GRAMMY.com)

Speace landed in New York City after college to pursue a life in theater. She studied acting at The National Shakespeare Conservatory, toured the US with the National Shakespeare Company, started her own theater company to direct and produce the plays she had written, and in the midst of her early 20’s, picked up a pawn shop guitar, wrote her first songs, and found herself with steady gigs at such storied venues as The Bitter End and The Living Room.

A self-described ‘late bloomer’ to songwriting she’s been quietly but steadily been making waves in the Americana/folk world for a few years now, and in the journey, gaining support from the likes of Judy Collins, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark and other icons in the songwriting community.

Speace recorded How To Sleep In A Stormy Boat in Nashville with producer Neilson Hubbard. The album’s 11 songs reflects themes of lost love throughout, with Speace drawing inspiration from the classic works of William Shakespeare. In addition to Fullbright, special guests include singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier and cellist Ben Sollee. The project was funded via a extraordinarily successful Kickstarter campaign.

Speace is currently in the midst of a U.S. tour, with dates scheduled through September.

You can hear Speace duet with Mary Gauthier on the song “The Fortunate Ones” from How To Sleep in a Stormy Boat on my latest podcast.

Shovels and Rope / Third Man Records Contest

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Shovels and Rope Johnny 99

Casa Twang is proud to offer the latest from Jack White’s Third Man Records excellent Blue Series. The 7-inch vinyl features Charleston indie-folk duo Shovels and Rope covering Bruce Springsteen’s “Johnny 99” (listen below) on one side and Tom Waits’ “Bad As Me” on the other.

The Third Man’s Blue Series brings singers and bands traveling through Nashville by the third Man Studio to record one or two songs. The songs are then, as soon as possible, made available on 7” vinyl and digitally on itunes. The series also includes releases by Brittany Howard and Ruby Amanfu, Seasick Steve, Chris Thile with Micheal Daves , The Secret Sisters, Wanda Jackson and others.

It’s easy to enter in the contest, just leave a comment below! The picked at random winner will receive the 7-inch vinyl and a CD copy of the release. Winner needs to be located in the United States and will be picked at on 12 PM Pacific Time on Sunday, April 7th. Comment away and good luck!

UPDATE: Amanda Ramsey is the winner! Thanks all for commenting and look for more contests soon!

Watch Out! Delta Rae – “If I Loved You” Featuring Lindsey Buckingham)

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Delta Rae - If I Loved You

Remember back when I said that Delta Rae kind of reminded me of Fleetwood Mac? Well the band made me a genius by recently teaming up with Lindsey Buckingham, singer/songwriter.guitarist of Fleetwood Mac, who played guitar on the re-recorded version of their new single, If I Loved You.

Vocalist Elizabeth Hopkins reaches soulful, Adele-like heights in her soulful performance of this song of love lost.

Check the song below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKfCsn8B6Es&feature=youtu.be

Listen Up! Patty Griffin “Ohio”

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Americankid

Patty Griffin has released the first song, Ohio, from her upcoming new record, American Kid. (New West Records)

Griffin wrote the song with additional music arrangement, which has heavy Indian influences, by Band of Joy partner Robert Plant, who also sings harmonies on the track. Other performers are Luther and Cody Dickinson from North Mississippi Allstars on guitar and drums respectively with Doug Lancio and co-producer Craig Ross on guitars and percussion.

American Kid will be released on May 7. The album, co-produced by Griffin and Ross, is her seventh and first for New West. It is her first album of mainly new material since 2007’s Children Running. In between then and now, she made the Grammy Award-winning Downtown Church in 2010 and worked on an album and toured for the Band of Joy alongside Plant.

Griffin debuted American Kid. in a former church in Austin for an invitation-only audience at South-By-Southwest.

Hear Ohio below.

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/newwestrecords/patty-griffin-ohio/s-PPvdU” height=”200″ iframe=”true” /]