Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival 2009::Photo Diary

The Hackensaw Boys - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009 [photo by Amanda Hevener]

If you have been wondering what is going on with The Velvet Rut, well Shaun is currently recovering from a terrible bout with the flu. So I am stepping in for a moment to help out. I have been spending this week taking care of him, making homemade chicken noodle soup, replenishing the empty glass of ginger ale, delivering hot tea, and trying to make Shaun comfortable.

We had a wonderful time at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival. We saw some great music and enjoyed the company of some great friends. Shaun has the talent for words so I will keep this short because when he regains his strength I am sure he will be able to update you on the festival, its sights, its sounds, etc. I am simply going to share a few snapshots I captured at the festival (I'm saving up for a better camera). I hope you enjoy. Send well wishes his way!! Shaun will be back soon. [more photos after the break]

---Amanda

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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival 2009 [all photos below by Amanda Hevener]

The Hackensaw Boys - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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1950's Throwback - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Trampled by Turtles - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Ian Thomas Band - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Ian Thomas Band - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Justin Townes Earle - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Justin Townes Earle - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Justin Townes Earle - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Spectator - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Virginia Tennessee Divide - Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2009

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Locals Only::Concert Calendar (September 16 - September 22)

Bentley Rhodes (of Earl Knox)

Plenty to talk about this week on the Locals Only Concert Calendar so I'll get right to it:

Singer-songwriter Peyton Tochterman is at Enoteca on Thursday at 8:30pm. Bentley Rhodes (of local favorites Earl Knox) goes solo at Mudhouse in Crozet on Friday at 7pm. And Straight Punch to the Crotch hits The Box Friday at 10pm (that's a great one-liner right there). All three of the aforementioned listed shows are FREE.

Veritas Vineyard follows up this past weekend's end of summer bluegrass blowout with the winery's first ever Blues Under the Stars concert featuring Charlottesville's Chickenhead Blues Band opening up for New Orleans blues artist Little Freddie King. $15. And Keith Morris & the Crooked Numbers welcome Nashville singer-songwriter/poet Tom House to their bi-weekly concert series at Mono Loco on Saturday. If you don't know the Tom House name, I'll let noted music critic Greil Marcus provide an introduction [read Greil Marcus's 1998 Esquire piece on Tom House HERE]. 10pm. FREE.

Also, with the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion coming up this weekend in Bristol, Tennessee / Virginia, I thought I'd give you a special Locals Only extra by running down the dates and stage times for the Charlottesville-area artists performing at this year's festival (Sons of Bill, Hackensaw Boys, and Corey Harris among them). You can find that run-down along with all of this week's upcoming Locals Only concert happenings after the break.

Locals Only Concert Calendar (September 16 - September 22)

-Wednesday 09/16-
Jim Waive @ Blue Moon, 8pm [FREE]
Carlton James & Co. @ Fellini's, 9pm [FREE]

-Thursday 09/17-
Peyton Tochterman @ Enoteca, 8:30pm [FREE]
Barling and Collins @ Blue Moon, 8pm [FREE]
Thompson / D'Earth @ Miller's, 10:30pm [$3]
The Rogan Brothers @ Bel Rio, 9pm [FREE]

-Friday, 09/18-
Bentley Rhodes (of Earl Knox) @ Mudhouse (Crozet), 7pm [FREE]
The Pollocks @ Maya, 10pm [FREE]
Straight Punch to the Crotch @ The Box, 10pm [FREE]
Chickenhead Blues Band (opening for Little Freddie King) @ Veritas, 7pm [$15]
Eli Cook @ Rapunzel's (Lovingston), 7:30pm [$5]

-Saturday, 09/19-
Illville Crew @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, 9pm [$5]
Jolie Fille @ Bel Rio, 9pm [$5]
Mariana Bell @ Rapunzel's (Lovingston), 7:30pm [$5]
Jeebus @ Durty Nelly's, 9:30pm [$5]
Keith Morris & the Crooked Numbers w/ Tom House @ Mono Loco, 10pm [FREE]

-Sunday, 09/20-
Hogwaller Ramblers @ Fellini's, 10pm [FREE]
Barling and Collins @ Miller's, 11pm [FREE]
Olivarez Trio @ Bel Rio, 6:30pm [FREE]

-Tuesday, 09/22-
Olivarez Trio @ C&O, 10pm [FREE]

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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Locals Only

-Friday, 09/18-
Corey Harris & the 5x5 Band @ The Cameo Stage, 10:30pm

-Saturday, 09/19-
Sons of Bill @ The Piedmont Stage, 1pm
The Hackensaw Boys @ The State Street Stage, 1:30pm
Corey Harris & the 5x5 Band @ The Piedmont Stage, 7pm
Hogwaller Ramblers @ O'Mainnins, 7:30pm
Trent Wagler & The Steel Wheels (from Harrisonburg) @ The Cameo Stage, 8:30pm
The Hackensaw Boys @ The Piedmont Stage, 11:45pm

-Sunday, 09/20-
Sons of Bill @ Theatre Bristol, 12pm
Trent Wagler & The Steel Wheels (from Harrisonburg) @ Machiavelli's, 12pm

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James McMurtry::Freeway View [New Video] / Performing at Fry's Spring Beach Club in C'ville This Friday

James McMurtry, the Texas-based singer-songwriter who has made a name for himself in recent years with a string of critically praised albums, returns to Charlottesville this Friday, September 18th, when he performs at Fry's Spring Beach Club. With special guest Johny Burke. 8pm. $15. Purchase tickets HERE.

James McMurtry is currently touring in advance of the release of his forthcoming album Live in Europe. The new live album captures the highlights from McMurtry’s first ever European tour from earlier this year, on which he was joined by keyboardist Ian McLagan and fellow Texas songwriting legend Jon Dee Graham. The set will be available via Lightning Rod Records as a CD with a bonus DVD, or as a deluxe vinyl LP package with a CD and DVD insert. The video for "Freeway Video" was recorded in Amsterdam and will be included on the bonus DVD. Live in Europe hits stores on October 13th.

I've seen James McMurtry on three different occasions and I have to say that he has never failed failed to impress (twice in Charlottesville at Gravity Lounge and once in Nashville back in 2006 at the Americana Music Conference). A long time fan, I'm pretty sure I own everything he's released since 1997's It Had to Happen and I've also got McMurtry's 1989 debut album Too Long in the Wasteland on original vinyl. If you can find it as a re-issue, definitely check it out.

Of course if you really want to hear what the James McMurtry live experience sounds like, then pick up a copy of 2004's Live in Aught-Three. One of the finer live albums of the past decade, Live in Aught-Three includes some of my all-time McMurtry favorites, including "Choctaw Bingo", "Lights of Cheyenne", "No More Buffalo", "Levelland", and the title track from Too Long in the Wasteland. I generally approach live albums with a great deal of trepidation, but Live in Aught-Three is a definite winner! The same could be said for James McMurtry's body of work as whole.

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Pre-Order: James McMurtry--Live in Europe (Vinyl LP w/CD + DVD inserts)
Purchase: James McMurtry--Live in Aught-Three

[Note: The James McMurtry show, along with upcoming shows by Ingrid Michaelson on Saturday (09.19) and Jolie Holland on Sunday (09.20) were all originally scheduled to take place at The Southern as part of the venue's Grand Opening weekend, but due to unforeseen construction delays all three shows have been moved to Fry's Spring Beach Club. For those of you not familiar with Fry's Spring Beach Club I have to say it's one of the coolest venues in town and if you have yet to check out, it's a must! Google Map for Fry's Spring Beach Club HERE]

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Just Announced::Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros @ iS Venue, Nov. 14th

This fall is shaping up to be jam-packed with great concerts coming to Charlottesville, what with The Decemberists and Lucinda Williams at the Pavilion next week, U2 at Scott Stadium on October 1st, and The Southern's already stellar string of announced shows that will includes a sampling of personal faves from the likes of Southern Culture on the Skids, Califone, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Blind Pilot, Low Anthem, Langhorne Slim, The Bowerbirds, and Dr. Dog (to name a few).

And now it looks like I'll soon be adding another must-see concert to that list as iS Venue will be hosting Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros in C'ville on Saturday, November 14th. While the venue has yet to announce the show officially, word came my way this morning when the show popped up on the band's list of newly announced fall tour dates. [complete list of added fall tour dates after the break]

If you've been reading along the last six weeks or so, you already know that I've been riding high on the music of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros thanks in large part to their recently released full-length debut album Up From Below. The L.A.-based ten piece has become a true buzz sensation in recent months and as I've previously stated these guys have in short time become "one of my new favorite musical obsessions". I first let you know to "keep an ear out for" these guys back in early August and now it looks like we should be keeping our eyes peeled for them as well. They've been selling out shows across the U.S. this summer and I'm hoping that trend continues with their Charlottesville appearance in November. The more the merrier the mayhem will be!

Related Post: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros::Home [Live on the Late Show]
Related Post: Keep an Ear Out For::Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

MP3: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros--40 Day Dream
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Purchase: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros--Up From Below


Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Announced Fall 2009 Tour Dates

10/17 - San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
11/3 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
11/4 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
11/6 - Austin, TX - The Independent
11/7 - Dallas, TX - The Loft
11/9 - Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay Theatre
11/10 - Nashville, TN - 3RD & Lindsley
11/11 - Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
11/12 - Kent, OH - Kent State Folk Festival @ The Kent Stage
11/14 - Charlottesville, VA - IS VENUE
11/15 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
11/16 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
11/17 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
11/23 - Montreal, QB - Petit Campus
11/24 - Toronto, ON - El Mocambo Club
11/27 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
11/28 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
11/29 - Minneapolis, MN - The Varsity Theatre
12/1 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theatre
12/2 - Telluride, CO - Sheridan Opera House
12/5 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
12/8 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret
12/9 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
12/10 - Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
12/12 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall

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Paul Curreri::Down By The Water (from the forthcoming album California) [New Video]

Here's the latest video from Charlottesville's own Paul Curreri. The song "Down by The Water" is taken from Curreri's forthcoming album California (which will be his sixth full-length album). California will also serve as the follow-up to Curreri's critically-acclaimed 2007 release The Velvet Rut.

California is set to hit stores in the UK on October 27th via Tin Angel Records with a U.S. release date arriving sometime in February or March of 2010. The track "Down By the Water" is to be included as the B-side to a single being issued overseas on Tin Angel for the new album's title track "California". Watch the video for "California", directed by Devon Sproule, HERE.

The "Down by the Water" video includes footage from Curreri and Sproule's recent trip to Kenya, along with home movie footage of Paul along with his brother and sister as kids, the rolling view from the front of Curreri's motorcycle, and a train of dancing guitars in stop-motion action. Directed and edited by Paul Curreri.

Related Post: Paul Curreri::Fat Killer at Dawn (March Rosetta remix)
Related Post: Devon Sproule::Good to Get Out [New Video]
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Purchase: Paul Curreri--The Velvet Rut

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WNRN Interviews::The Hackensaw Boys [MP3]

The Hackensaw Boys [photo by Aaron Farrington]

After rolling back into C'ville around 5am from their show last night in Baltimore, Baby J., Ferd IV, and Plang Tang of the Hackensaw Boys kept things going well past the break of dawn by heading into the WNRN studios for a live interview and performance with Ann Williams on this morning's Acoustic Sunrise. [listen to the complete audio from today's appearance below]

The Hackensaw Boys are in Richmond tonight (09.11) supporting The BoDeans for the Grand Opening of The Hat Factory (formerly Toad's Place) and then bring all back home tomorrow night for a can't miss show with Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees at Veritas Vineyard and Winery. Doors for tonight's show in Richmond open at 8pm and things kick off tomorrow at Veritas at 7pm.

Related Post: Upcoming Concert::The Hackensaw Boys w/Jim Waive @ the Young Divorcees

MP3: WNRN Interviews--The Hackensaw Boys

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Or, The Whale To Release Sophomore Album on Sept. 15th / Perform in C'ville on Oct. 16 [2 MP3 Tracks]

Or, The Whale

Set to release their sophomore, self-titled album on September 15th via Seany Records, San Francisco's Or, The Whale has only in recent weeks popped up on my musical radar screen. Their sound is a blend of indie-folk and alt-country that plays right into my love of steel guitar, warm vocal harmonies, and the dusty country-rock sound of Neil Young.

After giving a listen to the first two tracks to be made available from the soon-to-released Or, The Whale I can't help but wonder how I ever missed the group's debut album Light Poles and Pines from 2007 (which was re-issued back in January of this year). Note to self: Pick up a copy ASAP. You can give a listen to "Datura" and "Rusty Gold" from Or, The Whale's newest full-length offering below.

Or, The Whale is set to embark on a a five-week, 27 city U.S. tour in support of the new album beginning on October 1st. The upcoming fall tour will also include a local performance at the Tea Bazaar in Charlottesville on October 16th. With special guests Grooms from Brooklyn, NY. Ticket price TBA

MP3: Or, The Whale--Datura
MP3: Or, The Whale--Rusty Gold
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Purchase: Or, The Whale--S/T


Or, The Whale Announced Fall 2009 Tour Dates

10/01 St. Louis, MO - Billiken Club *
10/02 Rock Island, IL - Rock Island Brewing Co. *
10/03 Chicago, IL - Chicago Country Music Festival *
10/04 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry %
10/07 Chicago, IL - Subterranean %
10/08 Pittsburgh, PA - Lava Lounge
10/09 New York City, NY - Piano's
10/10 Brooklyn, NY - TBA
10/11 Burlington, VT - Metronome
10/12 Boston, MA - Middle East
10/14 Philadelphia, PA - Milcreek Tavern
10/15 Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong
10/16 Charlottesville, VA - Tea Bazaar
10/19 Winston/Salem, NC - The Garage
10/20 Nashville, TN - TBA
10/22 Chattanooga, TN - JJ's Bohemia
10/23 Athens, GA - Caledonia Lounge
10/24 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
10/26 Mobile, AL - Alabama Music Box
10/27 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
10/30 Bryan, TX - Revolutions
10/31 Austin, TX - Hole In The Wall
11/02 Albuquerque, NM - Burt's Tiki Lounge
11/04 Flagstaff, AZ - Hotel Monte Vista
11/05 San Diego, CA - The Casbah
11/06 Los Angeles, CA - Hotel Cafe
11/07 Los Angeles, CA - Echo Curio
11/14 San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord

* = w/ Joe Pug
% = w/ These United States

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Video Rut--Dirty Mac::Yer Blues (from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus)

With the Beatles' entire record catalog being re-issued today in digitally remastered form, the Beatles Rock Band being released, and today, September 9th, 2009 aka 9.9.9, being dubbed Beatles Day, I figured I'd post one of my favorite Beatles' song performances.

With John Lennon as the only member of the Fab Four appearing on this live version of the White Album's "Yer Blues", this one-off performance by the super-group Dirty Mac was recorded for the Rolling Stones' TV special The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. With Lennon on vocals and guitar, Keith Richards on bass, Eric Clapton on guitar, and Mitch Mitchell on drums, this is "Yer Blues" at its very best.

As for the digitally re-mastered Beatles catalog, I'm personally indifferent. I've already got all of my favorites on original vinyl and they still sound super sweet (with the occasional snap, crackle, and pop adding just the right touch). I have a feeling that's really all I'm ever gonna need.

Related Post: Shipwrecked in C'ville::With The Beatles [ Part 1 | Part 2 ]
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Purchase: Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (DVD)

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Locals Only::Concert Calendar (September 9 - September 15)

Tim Be Told and In Technicolor* [*photo by Seth Bellenstine]

The two big events on this week's Locals Only concert calendar are coming up this Friday and Saturday.

Friday marks the arrival of the final Fridays After Five of the season at the Charlottesville Pavilion as local pop-rockers Tim Be Told and In Technicolor co-headline. 5:30pm. FREE.

Saturday is of course the big Hackensaw Boys and Jim Waive & the Young Divorcees show at Veritas Vineyard (which I have already spotlighted earlier today). Saturday's concert is the final Starry Nights event of the year. 7 - 11pm. $15.

The complete Locals Only concert calendar is located after the break.



Locals Only Concert Calendar (September 9 - 15)

09.09--Jim Waive (solo) @ Blue Moon, 8pm [FREE]
09.09--William Walter & Tucker Rogers @ South Street, 10pm [FREE]
09.10--Hogwaller Ramblers @ Michael's Bistro, 10pm [FREE]
09.10--Barling and Collins @ Blue Moon, 8pm [FREE]
09.10--Sam Wilson and Peyton Tochterman @ Enoteca, 8pm [FREE]
09.10--Thompson / D'Earth @ Miller's, 10:30pm [$3]
09.10--Rogan Brothers Band @ Bel Rio, 9pm [FREE]
09.11--Tim Be Told / In Technicolor @ Friday's After Five, 5:30pm [FREE]
09.11--Chickenhead Blues Band @ Durty Nelly's, 9:30pm [FREE]
09.12--Jamal Millner's Comrades @ Michael's Bistro, 10pm [FREE]
09.12--Hackensaw Boys / Jim Waive & the Young Divorcees @ Veritas Vineyard, 7pm [$15]
09.12--A Cosmonaut's Ruin w/ Worn in Red @ iS Venue, 9pm [$7]
09.12--Beleza Brasil @ Maya, 10pm [FREE]
09.13--Barling and Collins @ Miller's, 11pm [FREE]
09.13--Olivarez Trio @ Bel Rio, 6:30pm [FREE]
09.15--Carlton James and Co. @ Blue Moon, 8pm [FREE]
09.15--Jamal Millner and Jamie Dyer @ Michael's Bistro, 9pm [FREE]
09.08--Olivarez Trio @ C&O, 10pm [FREE]

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Upcoming Concert::The Hackensaw Boys w/ Jim Waive & the Young Divorcees @ Veritas Vineyard, 09.12.09

The Hackensaw Boys [photo by Aaron Farrington]

Even though Labor Day has passed us by and September has begun to set in, summer is in no way over just yet. We've still got a couple weeks left to let in all hang out and if you're looking for a great way to blow out one of the final summertime weekends, I gotta suggest you head up to Veritas Vineyard this Saturday, September 12th for the last of the winery's Starry Nights concerts. Ending things with a big, freewheelin', foot stompin', bluegrass and old-timey, down-to-the-heart-of-country bang, Veritas will help close out the summer by playing host to The Hackensaw Boys with special guests Jim Waive & the Young Divorcees.

I'd bring some good eats, a couple blankets, and as many friends as you can round up because space is unlimited. Veritas supplies the glasses and the wine and the Hackensaw Boys and Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees undoubtedly will take care of the rest. Why do I have a feeling I'm going to be dancing around the bonfire? Let's just call it a hunch. It all goes down this Saturday from 7 - 11pm. $15.

The Hackensaw Boys performed out in Happy Valley, Oregon back in late July of this year as part of the 11th annual Pickathon Festival at Pendarvis Farm. You can give a listen to their entire 14-song Pickathon performance, recorded live from the festival's Galaxy Farm Stage on July 31st, below. [Pickathon performance set list after the break]


The Hackensaw Boys, Live @ Pickathon 2009
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Purchase: The Hackensaw Boys--Look Out!


The Hackensaw Boys, Pickathon 2009, Happy Valley, Oregon:: 07.31.09

Intro, [0:25]
Benton's Dream, [2:37]
Radio, [3:26]
Ruby Pearl, [3:11]
End Times, [3:28]
Tough Luck, [3:20]
Cannonball, [3:02]
Too Much Time, [3:59]
Willie Nelson, [3:42]
F.D.R., [2:26]
Knoxville Blues, [4:03]
The Blue-Eyed Girl, [3:07]
No Deal, [3:17]
Whiskey Momma, [3:11]

E: Look Out Dog Slow Down Train, [3:53]

Personnel:

Mahlon: Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar
Salvage: Charismo, Vocals
Baby J. : Vocals, Upright Bass, Harmonica, Accordion, Guitar
Four: Vocals, Fiddle, Upright Bass
Spits: Vocals, Guitar
Plang Tang: Banjo, vocals

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Neil Young Trunk Show, directed by Jonathan Demme [Movie Trailer]

Here's the movie trailer for Neil Young Trunk Show, a new live concert film shot at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, PA during Neil Young's Chrome Dreams tour. Directed by Jonathan Demme, who also was behind the 2006 documentary Neil Young: Heart of Gold, the new film was first unveiled at this year's SXSW in Austin, TX and will next be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14th.

Neil Young Trunk Show was shot primarily with hand-held cameras to give the film a more home-movie feel and will feature a number of rare live performances including "The Sultan" (a song first recorded with The Squires when Young was just 17), and the never before released tracks "Sad Movies" and "Kansas". No word on when we can expect Neil Young Trunk Show to be released to a wider audience.

Related Post: Video Rut--Neil Young::The Loner / Cinnamon Girl (@ Finjan Folk Cafe 1970)
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Purchase: Neil Young: Heart of Gold (DVD)
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Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros::Home [Live on the Late Show with David Letterman]

A band that is definitely one of my new favorite musical obsessions, here's the video for the network television debut from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. The band performed "Home", from their full-length debut Up From Below, on last night's Late Show with David Letterman.

And just in case you haven't taken the time to check it out yet, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros were also recently featured on Daytrotter and you can find their 4-song session (which is available as a FREE download) HERE.


Related Post: Keep An Out For::Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
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Purchase: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros--Up From Below

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Danny Schmidt::Better Off Broke [Video]

The video for the lead track off of Danny Schmidt's latest album Instead the Forest Rose to Sing, which is also Danny's first on Red House Records. This album never seems to spend much time on the shelves, but instead has lived much of its life in "The Wooden Tent" never too far from the stereo (and for the uninformed "The Wooden Tent" is the recently acquired official name for my cabin home in the woods).

"...you're better off broke with soup in your belly than sittin' there hungry 'round a pot of gold"

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Purchase: Danny Schmidt--Instead the Forest Rose to Sing
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Tom Russell Teams Up With Calexico On New Album "Blood and Candle Smoke" / Listen to Santa Ana Wind [MP3]

Tom Russell [photo by Colin Young Wolff]

My girlfriend and I were sitting around yesterday evening talking about singer-songwriter Tom Russell, when we started playing a word association game that went something like this: "When you think of Tom Russell's music, what words or images come to mind"? Here's what we came up with:

"Dusty roads, the American Southwest, deserts, smoke, gone America, the stories of people and places along the old highways before the interstates rolled through, carnies, honky-tonk, beat jazz, Bukowski, the mariachi, red-walled canyons, old-tube radios, poetry, gospel tent revivals, cowboys, Route 66, forgotten faces and time, Buck Owens, circus music, Indians, the splashes of color from a Navajo rug, steel men, desperadoes, immigrant stories, and gunslingers".

I've been a Tom Russell fan for a number of years now and it always surprises me that more people aren't familiar with his work. He's easily one of my favorite songwriters and his albums are always more like a series of novellas set to music than they are simply a collection of songs. And if you listen to albums like Borderland or Modern Art, Love & Fear or The Man From God Knows Where, Hotwalker or Poor Man's Dream the images above will not only become familiar but they will come to life. So it is with Tom Russell's work.

For his forthcoming album, Blood and Candle Smoke, Tom Russell is beginning what he calls the "start to the second half of the story, reaching out toward wider realms". Recorded at Tucson's Wave Lab Studios and due in stores on September 15th via Shout! Factory, Blood and Candle Smoke finds Russell teaming up with the members of Calexico, a band that Russell first discovered while listening to the soundtrack for the Dylan-inspired film I'm Not There.

With Calexico's Joey Burns, John Convertino, and Jacob Valenzuela providing much of the musical support, Russell sums up the songs on Blood and Candle Smoke with these final words: "I've finally arrived at a newer sound that I like, and 12 new songs that I really like...I think I' m really stepping forward into a bigger, broader world with this album."

The first track to be made available from Tom Russell's forthcoming album is included below and features Nick Luca on steel guitar and Gretchen Peters as Russell's vocal partner. Russell is also set to hit the road in support of Blood and Candle Smoke later this month for a 41-city U.S. tour that will include an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman on October 1st. If you get a chance definitely check him out! [complete list of tour dates after the break]

MP3: Tom Russell--Santa Ana Wind
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Pre-Order: Tom Russell--Blood and Candle Smoke


Tom Russell Announced Tour Dates

Sept 18 - Albuquerque, NM - El Rey Theater
Sept 19 - Durango, CO - Henry Strater Theatre
Sept 30 - Cambridge, MA - Club Passims
Oct 1 - The Late Show w/ David Letterman - CBS
Oct 2 - Piermont, NY - Turning Point
Oct 3 - New York, NY - Joe' s Pub
Oct 4 - Vienna, VA - Jammin' Java
Oct 6 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theatre
Oct 7 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
Oct 8 - Columbus, OH - Columbus Maennerchor
Oct 9 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark
Oct 10 - Berwyn, IL - Fitzgerald
Oct 11 - Fairfield, IA - Café Paradiso
Oct 13 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
Oct 14 - Kansas City, MO 0 Knuckleheads
Oct 15 - Springfield, IL - Hoogland Center for the Arts
Oct 16 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway
Oct 17 - Mt. Olive, IL - Turner Hall
Nov 4 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
Nov 5 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress
Nov 6 - Pinos Altos, NM - Buckhorn Saloon
Nov 7 - Las Cruces, NM - Rio Grande Theatre
Nov 8 - Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Brewing Company
Nov 10 - Fort Worth, TX - McDavid Studio
Nov 11 - Dallas, TX - Allgood Café
Nov 12 - Austin, TX - Cactus Café
Nov 13 - Fischer, TX - Rice Festival
Nov 14 - Houston, TX - Mucky Duck
Nov 15 - San Antonio, TX - Casbeers at the Church
Dec 4 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Acoustic Café
Dec 5 - Santa Monica, CA - McCabes
Dec 6 - Ojai, CA - Ojai Concert Series
Dec 7 - Visalia, CA - Maverick' s Roasting Company
Dec 9 - Felton, CA - Don Quixote
Dec 10 - Redwood City, CA - Little Fox Theatre
Dec 11 - Berkeley, CA - Freight and Salvage
Dec 12 - Winters, CA - The Palms
Dec 13 - Sparks, NV - Great Basin Brewing Company
Dec 14 - Sparks, NV - Great Basin Brewing Company
Dec 15 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre
Dec 16 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern

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Upcoming Concert::Dex Romweber Duo @ iS Venue, TONIGHT

Here's one for you garage rock/"insurgent" country/rockabilly surf fans as former Flat Duo Jets' frontman Dex Romweber, accompanied by his sister Sara on drums, hits Charlottesville tonight. The pair will be performing this evening at iS Venue as the recently formed Dex Romweber Duo, with special guests The Leeroys kicking things off. 9pm. $7.

The Dex Romweber Duo released their debut album Ruins of Berlin earlier this year on Bloodshot Records and the album features guest appearances by the likes of Neko Case, Cat Power, and the legendary Exene Cervenka. Also joining the duo on Ruins of Berlin is Southern Culture on the Skids' guitarist Rick Miller, who teams up with Romweber on the surf rock instrumental "Lookout" which is included below.

During the last half of the 1990's no single record company fueled my love for alt-country more than Chicago-based Bloodshot Records. Proudly proclaiming themselves as the "Home of Insurgent Country", Bloodshot has been a base to a roster of artists whose musical spirit sits squarely at the crossroads of punk and country in all the right kind of ways. And in the end, it's that spirit that has made Bloodshot one of my all-time favorite record labels. I gotta say that Bloodshot seems like the perfect place for Romweber's brand of stripped-down, fire and brimstone rock and roll which mines the borderlands of genre for music's beating, bloodied heart.

MP3: Dex Romweber Duo--Lookout
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Purchase: Dex Romweber Duo--Ruins of Berlin
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