Indie Adams Morgan Music Series 2013

On January 3rd, check out the Indie Adams Morgan Music Series launch party sponsored by Indie Adams Morgan, Cosmic Vibes Live, and Sixpoint Brewery. That gives you three days to recuperate from New Year's Eve. The Club Heaven party features Heather Mae, TheRuinCity and Vasudeva and all Facebook fans for Indie Adams Morgan are automatically on the VIP list for $5 entry. Come on out and support live music. Here's what you can expect.

Album Review: JD Hobson's Outlaw Country Blues: Where the Sun Don’t Shine

It's no secret that we love our Americana and Blues genres and recently we were sent a CD of an artist that combines the two - the  JD Hobson Band (Dan Infecto on upright bass and Nick Auckland on drums). Their latest release, Where the Sun Don't Shine is part country blues, part outlaw country - but all good.  t's starts outlaw-ish in Last Kind Words and Carter Cain; then slowly turns turns to soulful country blues before turning boogie-woogie in Blues in the Bottle. My favorite tracks are Sick in My Soul and Nobody's Dirty Business - so listen to the end. There seems to be a lot of good music coming out of Seattle  and JD Hobson surely enhances that city's music scene. 

“This music is about reaching down deep and coming up with something authentic and timeless. The trials, sadness, and triumphs of people here in America continue on today only dressed in different clothes. Times have changed, but we inherit the blues.” - JD

Emily Hurd Brings Some Sanity to the Christmas Song Market

Chicago based singer-songwriter Emily Hurd started Christmas early this year by spending the month of October drafting ten original songs for her new Christmas CD, Any Given Day.  And I mean original. No overplayed Christmas or seasonal references here. Instead, we get her bluesy, soulful vocals reflecting on love and relationships - all wrapped around this glorious season. Take Glögg - a reference to mulled wine, but a song referring to a couple spending quality romance together. Or In the Spirit of Giving, a powerful song of the reconciliation of the soul. And we all want to believe in magic - Children Believe. Love Chain of Light as well. Did I mention the accompanying musicians: Gerald Dowd, Gregg Ostrom, and John Abbey.  Outstanding. In fact, this is such an enjoyable CD, I want to listen all year; you won't find it being boxed up with our other Christmas CDs and ornaments. Merry Christmas.

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band Rocks Jammin Java

Last weekend we saw The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band put on a classic show at Jammin' Java - illustrating why they are easily the best live show around. And they showcased this act to the largest audience I've seen at the venue in a long time. Here's a sample of what may have missed with more video and photos available at the MyJoogTV YouTube channel and Gallery.

Jessica Lea Mayfield & David Mayfield - The Sibling Rivalry Tour

Here's an interesting show, Jessica Lea Mayfield & David Mayfield - The Sibling Rivalry Tour - next stop - Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia. 

Siblings and best friends Jessica Lea Mayfield and David Mayfield will tour together this winter, playing 13 shows in the eastern United States.

Growing up in Kent, Ohio, the Mayfields were surrounded by bluegrass and folk music. Both David and Jessica first performed with their family band One Way Rider, traveling across the country in a 1956 tour bus once belonging to Bill Monroe, Kitty Wells, and Ernest Tubb. David began performing at age 12, while Jessica joined a few years later at age 8. Most of their time growing up was spent singing and absorbing the stories and lessons taught by veteran musicians.

By the time he was a teenager, David had won several national awards for his guitar and mandolin playing. He showed Jessica how to play a few guitar chords, and then she began writing her own songs at age 11. The two played open mic nights together, usually playing for tips. Then David got his first big break when he successfully auditioned for country artist Andy Griggs, which led to David's first appearance on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage.

When David was 21 and Jessica was 15, they recorded Jessica's first EP White Lies in David's bedroom, printing only 100 copies. One of those copies fell into the hands of Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys). After an introduction, Jessica and Auerbach hit the studio, laying the foundation for her debut album With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, on which David played bass.

Over the next two years, David continued to play bass with Jessica, as she toured incessantly in support of With Blasphemy, playing major festivals like Bonnaroo, and opening for bands like The Avett Brothers, with whom they forged a strong friendship.

During this time, David also toured as a vocalist, songwriter, and lead guitarist for the folk rock band Cadillac Sky, but it was while on the road with Jessica that the Avetts encouraged David to make a record of his own, and so he did. David released his solo debut The David Mayfield Parade in 2011, which features songs co-written with Jessica, and vocals from Scott and Seth Avett.

Also in 2011, Nonesuch Records signed Jessica and released her second album Tell Me, also produced by Dan Auerbach. The album received rave reviews from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, SPIN, and Pitchfork, among others, and led to Jessica's network television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman. Later that year, the Americana Music Association nominated Jessica as "Best New Artist."
Now, with new albums on the horizon from both David and Jessica, the two siblings hit the road together again.